News Briefs

Another casual-dining chain is having a hard time of it.

Hooters of America is considering filing for bankruptcy and is working with Ropes & Gray law firm to assist with the filing process, reported Bloomberg. The report comes as the Atlanta-based sports bar/restaurant chain — which has about 300 locations — has been struggling financially amid traffic declines.

Hooters has struggled to pay its suppliers on time during the last 12 months, taking about four times longer than other restaurant chains to pay, according to financial analysis data from Creditsafe. The delay has led to outstanding bills, often up to 91-plus days late.

Hooters, which is known for the super tight T-shirts and shorts its waitresses wear, closed select underperforming locations nationwide in 2024 as it looked to manage its debt. Various media outlets reported that some 40 sites went dark.

If it files for bankruptcy, Hooters would join several other casual-dining chains that have have do during the past 12 months, including TGI Fridays and Red Lobster, amid a shift to fast-casual options.

E-commerce helped drive the beauty sector to new heights around the world in 2024.

New data from consumer intelligence company NielsenIQ (NIQ) shows that the global beauty industry witnessed a solid 7.3 % increase in year-over-year value last year, with a large portion (41%) of sales in the United States driven by online shopping. Over the past four years, platforms like Amazon have gained 7.3 share points by offering competitive pricing, fast shipping, and a wide selection, while in-store shopping for beauty needs has largely stayed the same.

The Latin American (+19.1%) and the Africa-Middle East (+27.1%) regions lead with the biggest growth, while North America and Western Europe had growth rates of +7.8% and +7.7%, respectively.

[READ MORE: Cosmetics brand Laura Mercier opens DTC site to Prime shoppers]

Social commerce is a global trend, especially for beauty products, with 68% of purchases on these platforms driven by impulse. The TikTok Shop has risen to be the eighth-largest e-commerce health & beauty retailer in the U.S., achieving $1billion in beauty sales​. More than 12% of U.S. e-commerce shoppers have made a health and beauty purchase through the app, with many returning for repeat purchases. 

“In the rapidly changing beauty industry, success in 2025 is a delicate balance,” Tara James Taylor, senior VP beauty & personal care at NIQ. “The dynamics between innovation and tradition, affordability and luxury, sustainability and scalability, and personalization and inclusivity are reshaping the market for beauty manufacturers and retailers. Finding the right balance will be crucial for those aiming to thrive in the $1 trillion global beauty market.”

It’s official: Qurate Retail has changed its name to reflect the company’s largest brand and new strategy.

The company has officially changed its name to QVC Group, Inc. It will continue to operate through its six brands: QVC, HSN, Ballard Designs, Frontgate, Garnet Hill and Grandin Road.

“This rebranding is an important milestone in our nearly 50-year evolution as a collection of leading retail brands,” said David Rawlinson II, president and CEO, QVC Group, Inc. “From the beginning, we’ve been the innovators in live video shopping — first on cable TV, then on e-commerce and mobile. Now, once again, we’re reimagining our company to grow in new places by leaning into streaming and social.”

The company in November announced plans to rebrand as part of a new growth strategy to focus more on social media and live streaming to engage customers. It has set a goal to achieve $1.5 billion-plus run-rate revenue from streaming and social within three years.

"Live social shopping is a natural evolution for us,” Rawlinson stated in a November press release. “ We have always been live on television, and our programming has always had this deep human and social component. Our customers are spending dramatically more time on social media, and that is increasingly where they are finding inspiration and shopping."

H-E-B is expanding its e-commerce supply chain infrastructure in a major Texas metropolitan area.

The regional Southwest grocer has opened a 100,000-sq.-ft., stand-alone e-commerce fulfillment center in Houston. The facility, which is the third H-E-B e-commerce hub in Houston and ninth the company has opened in Texas since 2018, will support its curbside and home delivery orders throughout Houston and the surrounding cities. 

To help support rising demand of online shopping, the e-commerce fulfillment centers stock goods found in stores that are used to fill curbside and home delivery orders. According to H-E-B, these facilities allow for more capacity, greater efficiency, less in-store aisle congestion and better product availability. 

The facilities also use various forms of automation to help associates throughout the order process. Leveraging these centers, H-E-B says it has grown supply chain capacity, which has in turn improved and supported the expansion of its curbside and home delivery services.

H-E-B plans to continue opening additional facilities across the state to help support its expansion throughout Texas. The retailer is actively hiring for a range of full-time and part-time positions at its new Houston e-commerce fulfillment center.

[READ MORE: First Look: H-E-B expands in Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex]

San Antonio-based H-E-B, with sales of more than $46 billion, operates more than 435 stores in Texas and Mexico. 

Consumers are interested in three key shipping options.

A substantial 84% majority of consumers recently surveyed by UPS Capital said they are more likely to shop with retailers offering personalized options. When asked about their top shipping priorities, half or more of respondents emphasized real-time tracking (65%), the ability to select delivery dates (55%), and guaranteed shipping insurance (50%).

In addition, 43% of respondents said that package safety is more important. Three-in-four respondents said their biggest frustration with last-mile delivery experiences is late, missed, or packages left in unsafe locations, and one-in-three respondents expect retailers to provide a premium last-mile delivery experience at no additional cost 

[READ MORE: Survey reveals package theft is a growing problem]

Crowdsourced delivery gains traction

The survey also shows that crowdsourced delivery, which involves leveraging local independent gig economy drivers for last-mile fulfillment, is gaining appeal with consumers. 

More than half of all respondents expressed interest in the crowdsourcing model. This interest is strongest among younger generations, with 67% of millennial respondents and 63% of Gen Z respondents open to the crowdsourcing alternative. 

UPS Capital advises that offering guaranteed shipping insurance is no longer optional, given that half of consumers prioritize coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged packages. Personalization, such as selecting delivery dates and tracking shipments in real time, has also become a key driver in reducing cart abandonment, according to UPS Capital analysis. 

Sprouts Farmers Market reported a strong fourth quarter and full year as it continues to expand its store footprint.

The fresh, natural and organic foods grocer opened 33 new stores in 2024 (including its first-ever location in Wyoming), for a total of 440 stores in 24 states. It plans to open “at least” 35 new stores in 2025, including several locations in Florida. (Locations listed at end of article.)

Sprouts reported earnings per share of $0.79 for the quarter ended Dec. 29, compared to earnings per share of $0.49 in the year-ago period. Net sales jumped 18% to $2.0 billion. Comparable store sales increased 11.5%.

For the full year, Sprouts reported earnings per share of $3.75, compared to earnings per share of $2.50 and adjusted earnings per share of $2.84 in the same period in 2023. Net sales rose 13% to $7.7 billion. Comparable store sales were up 7.6%

“2024 was a remarkable year for our company,” said Jack Sinclair, CEO of Sprouts Farmers Market. “Our teams across the business delivered on our strategy and set us up for even greater success in the future. Our unique, attribute-driven offering resonates more than ever with our target customers.”

For 2025, Sprouts expects net sales growth of 10.5% to 12.5%, with comparable store sales growth of 4.5% to 6.5%.

According to Sprouts’ website, the following locations are set to open in in Florida.

• St. Johns (Opening Jan. 31);
• Melbourne-Wickham  (Opening March 14);
• Largo (Opening March 21); and
• Coconut Creek (Opening April 25).