News Briefs

Lowe’s is continuing its expansion in the Lone Star State.

The home improvement retailer will open two new stores in Texas in November, both in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Lowe’s of Midlothian and Royse City will be the chain's fourth and fifth stores to open in the state this year. The new stores are part of Lowe's ongoing expansion in the fast-growing Sunbelt Region.

The new Texas locations will each feature approximately 94,000 sq. ft. of retail space and approximately 30,000 sq. ft. of outdoor garden space. They will include an updated store layout and enhanced assortments in flooring, kitchen and bath, appliances, workwear and pet, according to Lowe’s. Each location will employ more than 100 associates.

Lowe’s says it is on track to open up to 10 stores nationwide this fiscal year.

[READ MORE: Lowe’s makes $8.8B acquisition; grows Q2 profits and sales]

“Texas’ population is booming and Lowe’s is investing in rapidly growing areas,” said Lowe’s regional VP Michael Lackey. “We are strategic about meeting our customers where they are and positioning our stores to meet our communities’ needs. We’re excited to expand our footprint and continue to provide helpful customer service from our red-vest associates to our neighbors in North Texas.”

Based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe's operates over 1,700 home improvement stores and employs approximately 300,000 associates.

JCPenney is turning up the glam this fall.

The department store retailer has launched "Mackie," an exclusive limited-time collection from legendary designer brand Bob Mackie, whose starry list of clients ranges from Cher to Taylor Swift. Available as of Sept. 11 at select stores and JCPenney.com, the line is built on the idea that every woman can be an icon, the company said.

The collection features an array of styles, including mini and long dresses crafted from luxe materials, bold jewel-toned cocktail dresses, modern takes on classic silhouettes, and a sequin gown with ruched detailing. Every item is priced under $300 and available in sizes 2-24. 

"At JCPenney, we’re redefining what it means to be iconic,” said Michelle Wlazlo, CEO, JCPenney. “Partnering with the Bob Mackie brand allows us to merge the extraordinary with the everyday, offering customers runway-worthy fashion at unbeatable value. This collection is an invitation to say ‘yes’ to self-expression, glamour, and confidence, no matter who you are.”

[READ MORE: Buyer pays a near-billion dollars for 119 JCPenney stores]

The initiative is part of Penney’s new brand campaign, "Yes, JCPenney!"

Sky Zone is adding a guest experience veteran to its C-suite.

The Utah-based indoor trampoline park chain has named Stephanie Meltzer-Paul as its chief commercial officer, effective Sept. 22. In the new role, she will oversee Sky Zone’s marketing, programs and revenue teams and align them to “strengthen the Sky Zone brand, expand its reach, and deliver consistent, guest-first experiences.”

Meltzer-Paul most recently served as the executive VP of global loyalty services at Mastercard, holding the role for nearly three years. 

“Stephanie’s ability to pair innovation with operational excellence will be instrumental as we continue to elevate our growth strategy and deliver exceptional experiences for our guests,” said Sky Zone CEO Dave Hoffmann, who took the reins of the company in June.

Meltzer-Paul’s past experience includes senior leadership roles focused on loyalty and guest services at Inspire Brands, Dunkin’ Brands, BJ’s Wholesale Club and Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Across these organizations, Sky Zone says Meltzer-Paul launched award-winning digital experiences, redefined loyalty programs, and accelerated customer growth that contributed to significant annual revenue gains.

“I’m honored to join the Sky Zone team at such an exciting stage in its growth,” said Meltzer-Paul. “Sky Zone has set the standard in family entertainment, and I look forward to building on that momentum. By strengthening guest connections and enhancing every touchpoint, we will continue to solidify Sky Zone parks as the go-to destination for active fun.”

[READ MORE: Sky Zone names new operations, legal chiefs]

Founded in 2004, Sky Zone operates more than 265 parks across the U.S.

The solution is natively built on agentic AI, which expands upon the prescriptive capabilities of generative AI to streamline enterprise workflows even further.

[READ MORE: How agentic AI is finding its place in retail]

Chipotle Mexican Grill is entering another new global market.

The fast-casual chain announced plans to open restaurants in Asia for the first time through a joint venture with SPC Group, a leading South Korean-based restaurant operator. The first Chipotle restaurants are targeted to open in South Korea and Singapore in 2026.

"With a rapidly evolving dining-out business, fueled by preferences for variety and convenience, expanding into Asia presents an incredible growth opportunity for Chipotle," said Scott Boatwright, CEO of Chipotle. "Real food prepared fast is in high demand in these markets and with notable brand awareness among consumers, we see potential for strong adoption out of the gate."

[READ MORE: Chipotle names Scott Boatwright as CEO]

Earlier this year, in April, Chipotle signed a development agreement to open restaurants in Mexico for the first time, in partnership with Alsea, S.A.B. de C.V., a leading restaurant operator in Latin America and Europe. The first Chipotle location in Mexico is expected to open in 2026.

The company signed its first international development agreement in July 2023, partnering with Alshaya Group to open restaurants in the Middle East. Alshaya currently operates three Chipotle restaurants in Kuwait and three in the United Arab Emirates.

Chipotle currently operates more than 3,800 restaurants and plans to open between 315 and 345 new locations this year. It has a long-term target of operating 7,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada. 

The company’s existing international portfolio of owned and operated restaurants includes more than 60 locations in Canada; 20 in the United Kingdom; six locations in France; and two in Germany.

The world’s largest jewelry brand is relocating its U.S. distribution center to a new, much larger facility.

Pandora will open a new, state-of-the-art distribution facility serving the U.S. market in Anne Arundel, Md., with construction set to begin September 2025 and opening planned for the first half of 2026. The site will replace the company’s existing U.S. distribution center in Columbia, Md.

The new facility will expand Pandora’s distribution footprint by almost 80%, increasing total space to 107,000-sq-ft. Purpose-built to support the company’s omnichannel strategy, the center will feature advanced fulfilment capabilities such as warehouse and transport management systems using “pick-and-pass” methods designed to boost productivity.

The site will also feature advanced safety and security measures, as well as upgraded amenities, ergonomic workstations, and collaborative spaces. Pandora expects to grow its workforce at the facility and is currently assessing hiring needs. All current employees at its Columbia hub will be able to relocate to the new Anne Arundel site, located 13 miles away.

Pandora expects the Anne Arundel facility to meet LEED Silver Certified standards for energy efficiency, water consumption, and sustainable design.

"This investment reflects both our confidence in the US market and our commitment to delivering a world-class experience to our customers," said Luciano Rodembusch, president of Pandora North America. "By expanding our operational capabilities, we are positioning Pandora to capture the strong growth opportunities we continue to see across North America."

The U.S. is Pandora’s fastest-growing market. From 2020 to 2024, revenue more than doubled, and the company reported 12% organic growth in the U.S, during the first half of 2025. These results outperformed the broader market and were driven by robust in-store and online traffic, according to Pandora.

[READ MORE: Pandora transforms merchandising with AI]

Headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, Pandora operates 500 U.S. stores.