News Briefs
- 6/26/2025
Primark to expand in new states — here’s where
Primark continues to expand its presence in the South.
The global value fashion retailer will open its first-ever store in Tennessee on July 24, at Wolfchase Galleria in Memphis, giving it a total of 31 U.S. stores across 13 states. The Memphis location is the first of two planned Primark openings in the state, with a second store coming soon to CoolSprings Galleria in Franklin.
Spanning more than 35,600 sq. ft., Primark’s upcoming store in Memphis shoppers will feature on-trend fashions, everyday essentials, homeware and beauty favorites.
The openings in Tennessee come as Primark is expanding into Southern states. In March, the retailer signed leases for its first-ever stores in Georgia, at Augusta Mall, Augusta, Ga., and South Carolina, at Haywood Mall in Greenville. It is also expanding in Texas.
“Bringing Primark to Tennessee is a proud and exciting milestone for us," said Kevin Tulip, president of Primark US. "As we grow our footprint across the Southern U.S., we're thrilled to open our doors at Wolfchase Galleria and introduce Memphis shoppers to the incredible value and style that has made Primark a go-to destination for families and fashion lovers around the world."
[READ MORE: Primark unveils its first U.S. in-store 'repair' classes]
Primark has 450 stores across 17 countries in Europe and the United States.
- 6/26/2025
Ikea slashes its restaurant prices by half in 14 countries
Ingka Group, the largest Ikea retailer, is rolling out lower foods prices in its in-house restaurants.
The Swedish retail giant said that the price of restaurant meals in many of its global markets will be halved Monday through Friday. Additionally, children will eat for free.
For example, in France, the price of lunch for a family of four, which includes two hot-meals with meatballs for adults and two meals for kids, will cost EUR 6.96 instead of EUR 19.9. In addition, all restaurant patrons will receive a EUR 5 voucher to use in-store.
The reduced prices will be offered in Canada, Austria, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland and the U.K. Ikea noted that the offer offer may vary by market and will will be activated at different times in different markets.
Ikea said it is offering the lower prices to help people stretch their budgets, nourish their families and find a little more joy.
"Food has always been very important for Ikea, and we wanted to enable even more people to enjoy our restaurant offer while exploring our home furnishing range," said Tolga Öncü, Ingka retail manager (COO) at Ikea Retail (Ingka Group). "Securing the lowest possible price for our products is always our utmost goal, and this is even more important in today's times of economic uncertainties and cost-of-living pressures."
Ingka Group operates 400 Ikea stores and 174 plan-and-order points of sale in 31 countries.
Photo credit: IKEA (PRNewsfoto/IKEA)
- 6/25/2025
Spirit Halloween seeking 50,000 seasonal employees
Spirit Halloween is getting an early start on its seasonal hiring.
The seasonal retailer has approximately 50,000 positions available now to support more than 1,500 retail locations expected to open in the United States and Canada in 2025. The figures are roughly on par with last year’s record-setting hiring and location totals.
Spirit Halloween says its employee perks include competitive salaries, flexible scheduling, a premium pay incentive program, and seasonal retention bonuses for returning store managers. All associates also receive a 30% discount on Spirit Halloween purchases.
"With the anticipation for Halloween at an all-time high, we are committed to creating the same immersive experience that keeps our fans coming back year after year," said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. "The talent and enthusiasm of our associates is the driving force that brings Halloween to life each year, and we look forward to welcoming new and returning faces for another killer season."
Founded in 1983, Spirit is a “one-stop destination” for all things Halloween. Stores offer an immersive and interactive experience for shoppers, complete with a wide assortment of costumes and accessories along with exclusive décor and animatronics.
[READ MORE: These five retail brands account for 13% of Spirit Halloween locations…]
Spirit Halloween and mall retailer Spencer’s Gifts are part of Egg Harbor Township, N.J.-based Spencer Spirit Holdings Inc.
- 6/25/2025
Walmart to continue embedding smart data capture in associate apps
Walmart Inc. is renewing a partnership with a provider of AI-based mobile scanning solutions to enhance the functionality of its store associate apps.
Since 2022, Walmart has been seamlessly integrating Scandit smart data capture software into several apps it provides store associates in an effort to optimize operational tasks such as order fulfillment, stock replenishment, out-of-stock detection, product information look-up and receipt checks for self-checkout customers.
[READ MORE: Walmart equips store associates with mobile AI tools]
For example, Walmart designed the intuitive user interface of its “MyWalmart” associate app with input from Scandit to provide features including viewing their shifts up to two weeks in advance, checking on their upcoming paid time off, and requesting changes to their schedule.
"As a people-led, tech-powered company, Walmart is committed to providing our associates with technology that helps them work smarter, faster and more efficiently," said Dan Miller, VP of product management, Walmart.
In addition, the app provides all associates access to the Ask Sam voice-activated personal assistant which enables them to ask questions to quickly locate merchandise and get answers for customers, as well as look up business metrics.
And instead of scanning each box in the back room individually, associates can hold up their device and using augmented reality, highlight the boxes that are ready to go to the store floor.
"We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Walmart," said Scandit CEO and co-founder Samuel Mueller. "Empowering associates by putting best-in-class technology in their hands is how retailers can drive meaningful change."
As part of the new expanded agreement, Scandit will provide Walmart with tools and technologies designed to boost the speed and accuracy of their existing associate and customer-facing applications.
- 6/24/2025
Amazon to invest $54 billion in U.K. to support infrastructure
Amazon is making a major commitment to build new fulfillment and delivery hubs, data centers and corporate offices in the U.K.
The online giant plans to invest approximately $54 billion in the U.K. by the end of 2027 to build build four new fulfillment centers and new delivery stations across the country. The money will also be spent on upgrades and expansions to Amazon's existing network of more than 100 operations buildings in the U.K., including two new buildings at its corporate headquarters in East London.
In addition, the investment includes part of the $10.9 billion Amazon previously committed to spend between 2024 and 2028 to build, operate and maintain data centers in the U.K. Amazon has committed billions of dollars to data infrastructure development projects across the globe, most recently in Australia and Taiwan.
[READ MORE: Amazon Web Services to invest $5 billion in Taiwan data centers]
According to Amazon, this investment will create thousands of new permanent, full-time jobs in the U.K., including more than 4,000 jobs at fulfillment centers and delivery stations across the country.
Amazon estimates the investment will contribute an estimated additional $51 billion to the U.K.’s GDP, with the data center investment alone expected to contribute $19.1 billion to the UK economy between 2024 and 2028 and support 14,000 full-time equivalent jobs each year.
"Amazon has been proud to serve our customers in the U.K. for the past 27 years," said Andy Jassy, CEO, Amazon. "Thanks to their support, we've grown to be part of over 100 communities nationwide, from developing drone technology in Darlington to producing world-class entertainment at our studios in Bray.”
- 6/24/2025
Survey: Majority of consumers regret past social media purchases
Social media is a key driving force of consumer overspending, according to a new survey.
More than half (54%) of people regret purchases they’ve made through social media, and four-in-five say they would spend less money if they deleted their social media accounts, according to a new poll of consumers from WalletHub.
Half of those surveyed said that social media is bad for their budget, and nearly seven-in-10 (69%) said that it is bad for their debt. Notably, nearly 20% of those surveyed said they try to look “richer” on social media than they really are.
“It’s difficult to kick this type of habit, but people should definitely consider cutting back on social media for the sake of their budget, especially with tariffs making popular items more expensive,” said Chip Lupo, analyst at WalletHub. “People who are concerned about their ability to resist should remove social media apps from their devices. Trading social media apps in for a budgeting app can also help you pinpoint areas where you are overspending.”
[READ MORE: Here’s how tariffs are affecting consumer behavior]
Additional insights from the survey include the following:
- 60% of Americans are concerned about tariffs making their social media purchases more expensive.
- Despite social media leading to overspending, nearly three-quarters of Americans say they don’t trust financial advice from social media influencers.
- 82% of Americans trust Google search results more than social media influencers.
For its report, WalletHub conducted a nationally representative online survey of over 200 respondents.