News Briefs

PetSmart customers can now purchase pet insurance on the retailer's website.

The pet supplies and services retailer is partnering with Healthy Paws, a Chubb company and provider of accident and illness pet insurance coverage for dogs and cats, to offer pet insurance products backed by coverage and service. 

"Pet parents trust PetSmart to deliver comprehensive care solutions for their beloved companions at every life stage, including support during unexpected events,” said Rob Pace, senior VP of veterinary health services at PetSmart.” We are thrilled to partner with Healthy Paws to provide pet parents with access to Healthy Paws' accident and illness coverage that offers pet parents unmatched peace of mind."

Customers can obtain a free quote for Healthy Paws insurance plans through PetSmart's website and enroll in a plan that meets their pets' needs. Pet plans feature a seamless mobile claims process, no maximum annual or lifetime payouts, reimbursement for covered expenses and customer service, offered at a variety of price points.

"We're excited to team up with PetSmart to expand access to pet insurance at a destination many pet parents already frequent for trusted products, services and advice," said Alex Faynberg, executive VP and head of Healthy Paws. "This partnership empowers animal lovers to protect their pets like family and safeguard against life's unforeseen health challenges."

An increasing number of retailers are offering pet insurance. Chief PetSmart rival Petco offers co-branded Petco | Nationwide pet insurance on its website, while Walmart has offered services in collaboration with pet-insurance provider Petplan since 2020.

In addition, Walmart subsidiary Sam’s Club recently launched a new healthcare services program aimed at pets and their owners with Spot Pet Insurance.

[READ MORE: Sam’s Club launches pharmacy and insurance plan for pets]

Consumer sentiment fell back in August as Americans grew increasingly worried about inflation, both on a short -and long-term basis.

The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index decreased 5% month over month in August, landing at 58.6, according to preliminary results. The August figure is down 13.7% from a year ago. The deterioration in August largely stems from rising worries about inflation, noted Joanne Hsu, surveys of consumers director.

The index for current economic conditions fell 10.4% month over month in August to 60.9, while the consumer expectations index fell 0.9% to 57.2. It’s down 20.7% from a year ago.

Year-ahead inflation expectations rose from to 4.9% in August from 4.5% in July, with the increase seen across multiple demographic groups and all three political affiliations. Long-run inflation expectations also rose, from 3.4% in July to 3.9% in August.  

"This month ended two consecutive months of receding inflation for short-run expectations and three straight months for long-run expectations,” said Hsu.

In other readings, buying conditions for durables plunged 14%, its lowest reading in a year, on the basis of high prices. Current personal finances declined modestly amid growing concerns about purchasing power, but expected personal finances inched up a touch along with a slight firming in income expectations, which remain subdued.

“Overall, consumers are no longer bracing for the worst-case scenario for the economy feared in April when reciprocal tariffs were announced and then paused,” said Hsu. “However, consumers continue to expect both inflation and unemployment to deteriorate in the future.”

Floor & Décor continues to expand its footprint across the nation.

Specializing in hard-surface flooring for homeowners and professionals, the specialty retailer recently opened its first store in the Myrtle Beach area, in Murrells Inlet, S.C., along with a location in Chandler, Ariz. The August openings come on the heels of new Floor & Decor stores in Stuart, Fla., and Chula Vista, Calif., which opened in June and July respectively. The company is on track to open 20 stores this year.

Floor & Décor reported that its net sales rose 7.1% to $1.2 billion for the second quarter ended June 26. Comparable store sales increased 0.4%. Net income rose 11.5% to $63.2 million; earnings per share increased 11.5% to $0.58.

“We believe our second quarter earnings performance clearly reflects the disciplined execution of our agile growth strategies and the prudent management of expenses and profitability by our associates,” stated CEO Tom Taylor. 

Floor & Decor operates approximately 260 warehouse-format stores and five design studios across 38 states and offers a broad assortment of in-stock hard-surface flooring, including tile, wood, laminate, vinyl and natural stone, along with decorative accessories and wall tile, installation materials and adjacent categories at everyday low prices.

Female shoppers are spending less than their male counterparts.

During the first half of 2025, year-over-year demand for discretionary products among women fell flat, while unit sales from men were up 3%, according to Circana. Female discretionary spending grew 1% during the same period, while male spending rose 2%.  

The firm noted that discretionary spending has been challenged by elevated prices across retail food and beverage, non-edible consumer packaged goods and general merchandise

“Female consumers are critical to retail performance, representing more than half of annual spending, and those purchase decisions,” said Marshal Cohen, chief retail industry analyst for Circana. “Shifts in spending behavior among female consumers reveal signs of broader consumer changes brewing.”

[READ MORE: NRF: Retail sales make strong comeback in July]

Women seem to be opting for purchases that allow them to spruce things up, rather than a bigger ticket spend. Between January and June 2025, the majority of the pullback in spending among female shoppers impacted furniture, apparel, juvenile products and housewares. 

Home décor and team sports products gained the most ground among this demographic. Women also spent less in specialty apparel, department stores and mass merchants at the start of this year, shifting more to e-commerce and warehouse clubs.

A number of demographic spending shifts are happening across retail, making it more important than ever for brands to understand the mindset of each consumer group, and work to reach them in a more personalized way, advised Cohen. 

“Female-focused products are inspiring spending with front-and-center marketing that taps into lifestyle and fashion, and fuels momentum and gains,” he said. “As goes the female shopper, so goes retail — the mantra that will help retail navigate one of the biggest changes in consumer behavior occurring right now.”

Basset Furniture is leveraging its customer delivery experience by turning  “proof of delivery photos” into a sales and engagement tool.

By implementing DispatchTrack's delivery management platform, Bassett's design consultants use delivery photos to identify follow-on opportunities with recent customers and generate new sales. In what it termed an industry first, the consultants review post-delivery photos captured by drivers, do virtual room assessments and suggest complementary products to customers. 

Consultants recommend items such as area rugs, accent pieces, or new furniture for adjoining rooms based on actual delivered installations, creating personalized follow-up opportunities.

"Because everyone at Bassett has access to DispatchTrack, we've turned delivery into a relationship-building moment," said Lucy Coleman, director of operations at Bassett Furniture. "From designers to customer service, our whole team is part of the experience — and that's changed everything."

[READ MORE: Furniture.com delivers seamless shopping across multiple brands]

The approach is powered by DispatchTrack's integration with Storis:  Orders created through Storis automatically sync with DispatchTrack, where communication workflows manage time window confirmations and delivery updates. This   ensures consistent customer communication and  also creates the foundation for Bassett's innovative merchandising.

Unlike traditional delivery platforms that restrict access to specific roles, DispatchTrack enables Bassett's entire team — from drivers to design consultants — to interact with delivery data. This has transformed customer service from a reactive, siloed function into a revenue-driving extension of delivery.

By analyzing existing décor captured in delivery photos, design consultants make informed recommendations that enhance customer satisfaction and drive incremental sales. 

Looking ahead, Bassett is exploring text notifications as an additional communications channel while continuing to monitor customer satisfaction through surveys and real-time alerts.   

Founded in 1902, Bassett Furniture operates approximately 100 retail stores nationwide.