News Briefs

U.S. consumers are feeling a bit more optimistic about inflation and the economy.

The University of Michigan’s preliminary sentiment index for July edged up to 61.8 in July from 60.7 in June. It was the highest reading in five months, but remains 16% below December 2024 and well below its historical average.

The improvement in sentiment came as year-ahead inflation expectations fell for a second straight month, falling from 5.0% last month to 4.4% this month. Long-run inflation expectations receded for the third consecutive month, falling back from 4.0% in June to 3.6% in July.

“Both readings are the lowest since February 2025, but remain above December 2024, indicating that consumers still perceive substantial risk that inflation will increase in the future,” said Hsu.

In other metrics, the index for current economic conditions rose to 66.8 in July from 64.8 the previous months, and the index of consumer expectations inched up to 58.6 from 58.1.

Short-run business conditions improved about 8%, but expected personal finances fell back about 4%. 

“Consumers are unlikely to regain their confidence in the economy unless they feel assured that inflation is unlikely to worsen, for example if trade policy stabilizes for the foreseeable future,” said Hsu. “At this time, the interviews reveal little evidence that other policy developments, including the recent passage of the tax and spending bill, moved the needle much on consumer sentiment."

Nordstrom continues to expand its off-price division.

The department store retailer, which in May closed on its deal to go private, is on track to open 21 Nordstrom Rack stores this year. It expects to open roughly the same amount in 2026, and has already announced a handful of openings, including a 30,000-sq.-ft. store at Turkey Creek in Knoxville, Tenn., and a 27,000-sq.-ft. store at Sarasota Pavilion in Sarasota, Fla.

In addition, Nordstrom Rack will open stores in the following locations in fall 2026 (except where noted):

• Deptford, N.J.: The 24,500-sq.-ft. store will be located at Deptford Town Center, which is is owned and managed by MSP Developments.  
• Mansfield, Mass.: The 23,700-sq.-ft. store will be located at Mansfield Crossing, which is owned and managed by WS Development.
• Williamsburg, Va.: The 25,000-sq.-ft. store will be located at Settlers Market.
• Canton, Ohio: The 23,800-sq.-ft. store will be located at The Venue at Belden, which is owned by Axiom Realty.  
• Tampa, Fla.: The 24,700-sq.-ft. store will be located at The Plaza at Citrus Park, owned and operated by an affiliate of Kimco Realty.
• Elmwood, La.: Opening in spring 2026, the 27,000-sq.-ft. will be located at Elmwood Center, Louisiana's largest open air shopping center, which is owned and managed by Lauricella Land Company.
• Encinitas, Calif.: Opening in spring 2026, the 24,000-sq.-ft. store will be located at El Camino Promenade, owned and operated by an affiliate of Kimco Realty.
• Plymouth, Mass.: Opening in spring 2026, the 27,000-sq.-ft. store will be located in Colony Place, owned and managed by DLC.

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii is touting its store expansion success heading into the second half of the year.

The chain says it has opened eight new stores in 2025, and anticipates 15 additional store openings before the end of the year. Bad Ass Coffee has awarded 22 new locations this year across key states including Colorado, Hawaii, Kentucky and Florida, driven by a strategy of securing multi-unit development agreements.

“Five years ago, we relaunched a 30-year-old brand with a promise of performance, innovation and a franchisee-first platform that would transform an emerging brand into a category challenger,” said Scott Snyder, CEO of Bad Ass Coffee. “In 2025, we’re turning that corner with momentum generated by new store openings and performance demonstrated by Franchisees – new and old – that have embraced the systems we’ve developed and their unique brand differentiation in a crowded retail coffee market. It is an exciting time at Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii.”

These expansion milestones highlight a 7% year-over-year store performance growth rate, according to the brand. Founded in Hawaii in 1989, Bad Ass Coffee currently operates 36 locations in the United States, with another 63 shops in various stages of development. 

[READ MORE: Placer.ai: Small, mid-size coffee chains growing visit share]

“The rebellious spirit of Bas Ass Coffee is unlike anything on the market, and that’s exactly what today’s consumers and entrepreneurs are seeking out,” said Iain Douglas, chief brand officer, who joined Bad Ass Coffee earlier this year. “We’re not just scaling for the sake of growth – we’re building a lasting legacy. Our entire team is laser-focused on a unified goal of sharing our culture with customers, and what we’ve seen so far this year is a true testament to that unification.”

The nation’s second-largest quick-serve Mexican restaurant chain is returning to a key market.

Del Taco is in the process of a phased reopening of 17 corporate-owned locations across Colorado. The rollout began June 21 and will continue throughout the next several months. With five locations now reopened and 12 more scheduled, the brand says it is reestablishing its footprint in communities “eager for its bold flavors and beloved menu items.”

“We’re thrilled to reestablish our presence in the Denver and Colorado Springs communities that have supported Del Taco for more than two decades,” said Sarah McAloon, interim president of Del Taco. “We’re already seeing an incredible response at the locations that have reopened, with Macho Burritos returning, plus our new bigger, over one pound classic burritos and our super popular $9 AmeriMex El Big Box. We look forward to continuing to serve guests our fresh unexpected flavor.”

Del Taco says the return to the Colorado market aligns with a broader effort to reconnect with longtime fans through direct Del Taco corporate ownership and elevated service. While 17 locations are scheduled to reopen, one former restaurant in Aurora, Colo. will remain closed.

[READ MORE: Jack in the Box takes poison pill as activist investor increases stake]

The Rocky Mountain State expansion comes as Del Taco's parent company Jack in the Box Inc. is exploring a sale of the Mexican chain. As part of its “Jack on Track” plan, the company has engaged Bank of America Securities to assist in the process of exploring strategic alternatives for Del Taco, including a possible divestiture of the business. The chain was acquired by Jack in the Box in March 2022 for roughly $585 million.

Del Taco operates nearly 600 restaurants across 17 states.

Elon Musk’s Tesla has opened a restaurant in Hollywood, Calif. that combines classic American diner food, "megascreens" for movie viewing and charging for Tesla and non-Tesla drivers alike.

Tesla Diner is open 24 hours a day and features 250 seats for dining. It also boasts 80 V4 “Supercharger” stalls, making it the largest urban supercharging station in the world, the company said. Although the restaurant has only been open a couple of days, Musk is optimistic about more locations going forward. (To view photos of Tesla Diner, click here.)

“If our retro-futuristic diner turns out well, which I think it will, @Tesla will establish these in major cities around the world, as well as at Supercharger sites on long distance routes,” Musk wrote on X. “An island of good food, good vibes & entertainment, all while Supercharging!”

Located on Santa Monica Blvd., the two-story Tesla Diner has a "retro-futuristic" design, along with two 66-foot LED megascreens. Movies and other special features can be viewed from the restaurant's upper-level "Skypad."  In a modern twist on drive-in theatres, patrons can also watch the movies inside their Tesla vehicle in the parking lot using the Tesla Diner app.

Food can be ordered inside the diner or from inside a Tesla. The selection includes diner classics such as burgers, hot dogs, tuna melts and club sandwiches, along with desserts, coffee drinks, iced tea and fountain drinks. The restaurant also is selling a limited selection of "exclusive merchandise," including "supercharged gummies" and a  retro diner tee featuring the Tesla Diner graphic.

PacSun is gearing up for its “Super Brand Day” on TikTok Shop, a week-long shopping event running from July 24-30.

The campaign kicks off on July 24 with a consumer creator event and livestream at PacSun's SoHo flagship in NYC, featuring appearances by top TikTok creators. From July 25-30, PacSun will livestream shopping sessions from its downtown LA flagship, with hourly rotating deals, exclusive drops and real-time commentary from top creator talent. 

One of the livestreams will run for 24 consecutive hours, starting on July 25 at 4 p.m. (Pacific Time). It will offer limited-time deals and product highlights around the clock, the retailer said.

"Discovering new products and brands on TikTok is how the next generation shops,” said Brieane Olson, CEO of PacSun. “At PacSun, we see TikTok Shop as something bigger than just a sales channel. It's a place for storytelling, bringing together a community, and a cultural driver. Super Brand Day gives us a chance to lean all the way in, with content, creators, and commerce to create a real-time shopping experience that feels personal and dynamic.”