News Briefs

CVS Health is committing to help Chicago-area residents develop skills needed to work for the pharmacy retailer.

The newest CVS Health Workforce Innovation and Talent Center (WITC), situated at the Chicago Baptist Institute in Chicago, will train individuals seeking employment with the retailer as pharmacy technicians, customer service associates, call center associates and retail associates. 

A simulated retail store within each location will offer hands-on job training to create experiences that are designed to closely resemble real-world scenarios. Every participant who completes the program will have an opportunity to apply for a position at CVS Health. 

The company also offers WITCs in Boston; Cleveland; Jackson, Tenn.; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; New York City; Washington, D.C.; and Woonsocket, R.I.

"At our new WITC, we're dedicated to helping individuals build skills for in-demand jobs, like pharmacy technicians," said Sheryl Burke, senior VP of Corporate Social Responsibility and Chief Sustainability Officer at CVS Health. "Working alongside the Chicago Baptist Institute, we aim to make it easier for community members to access and find meaningful employment."

During 2025, in collaboration with local organizations and federal, state, and local agencies nationwide, CVS Health says it created job opportunities for more than 1,500 people. 

[READ MORE: CVS to acquire 64 Rite Aid stores]

"The Chicago Baptist Institute is very proud to be a part of the opening of the WITC, which will serve as an important pathway for potential candidates seeking job opportunities," said Walter P. Turner, president of the Chicago Baptist Institute. "This collaboration with CVS Health will create a sustainable model for workforce development that benefits both participants and the broader community we support."

As of Dec. 31, 2024, Woonsocket, R.I.-based CVS had more than 9,000 retail pharmacy locations nationwide.

Dossier, which describes itself as the perfume house for the "next generation," has opened its first-ever brick and mortar location.  

Located in Manhattan's Nolita neighborhood, the store, which is styled as a fragrance library, features the brand's full catalog across its three lines. Designed by creative firm Malherbe Paris and brought to life by Rekon Retail, the boutique offers a refined yet inviting space, blending Dossier's French heritage with the neighborhood's laid-back, minimalist aesthetic.

A dedicated "Dossier Drop Day" section will highlight each month's current launch. Paperscent, an innovative perfume testing technology designed by Gaudier, will be placed throughout the space, allowing Dossier to capture in-store traffic analytics in real-time while providing an immersive perfume discovery process. This technology also significantly reduces paper waste, maintains perfume integrity, and prevents fragrances from mixing in the air, the company said. 

"We've had such an amazing response to our perfumes online since launching in 2019 and knew we wanted to give customers an offline Dossier experience," said Sergio Tache, founder & CEO of Dossier. "Last year we hosted our very first pop-up just a few doors down from our boutique and knew we had to open a permanent space after seeing how excited our customers were to experience our fragrances in person. We're excited to finally bring the Dossier perfume house for the next generation to life and have a space where perfume lovers can build their perfume wardrobes and learn more about fragrances in the process."

Dollar General is offering a range of seasonal summer deals, including a six-day extravaganza that overlaps Amazon Prime Day.

Now through Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 1), Dollar General is offering seasonal discounts on more than 1,000 items storewide in categories across food, health and wellness products, beauty and personal care items, and household cleaning supplies with approximately 40% of the products in these departments discounted.

Other summer sales activities at Dollar General will include a “Wow Wednesday” offer on Wednesday, July 2 featuring a surprise discounted item, upcoming planned promotions including weekday $5 off $25 Dollar General digital coupons, and back-to-school deals including 30% off digital coupons for teachers.

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)

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.

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.