News Briefs

Sam’s Club is expanding the availability of artificial intelligence for frontline managers and employees.

The Walmart warehouse club subsidiary is providing enterprise-grade tools equipped with ChatGPT, the generative AI  engine from OpenAI. According to Sam’s Club, AI is automating and improving back-end manager workflows to allow them to focus more on customer- and employee-facing activities.

Sam’s Club has long used AI in its enterprise, including the "Ask Sam" AI-based employee assistant it introduced in 2019 which lets associates ask any job-related question in natural language, and have the answer displayed on their device screen in real time.

[READ MORE: Sam’s Club associates in need of info can go 'Ask Sam']

The warehouse club chain also leverages AI to aid in-store employee with activities such as verifying receipts. 

In addition, starting in 2026, Sam’s Club associates will have the opportunity to take part in new AI training through OpenAI Certifications. Parent company Walmart is collaborating with OpenAI on a similar employee training initiative.

"When managers are empowered, associates are supported — and members feel the difference," Sam’s Club said in a statement. "By being one of the first to bring AI to the frontline, we’re proving that the future of retail isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about creating better jobs, stronger communities and more personal member experiences."

Based in Bentonville, Ark., Sam’s Club is a division of Walmart Inc. operating nearly 600 stores in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

The world’s largest jewelry brand is relocating its U.S. distribution center to a new, much larger facility.

Pandora will open a new, state-of-the-art distribution facility serving the U.S. market in Anne Arundel, Md., with construction set to begin September 2025 and opening planned for the first half of 2026. The site will replace the company’s existing U.S. distribution center in Columbia, Md.

The new facility will expand Pandora’s distribution footprint by almost 80%, increasing total space to 107,000-sq-ft. Purpose-built to support the company’s omnichannel strategy, the center will feature advanced fulfilment capabilities such as warehouse and transport management systems using “pick-and-pass” methods designed to boost productivity.

The site will also feature advanced safety and security measures, as well as upgraded amenities, ergonomic workstations, and collaborative spaces. Pandora expects to grow its workforce at the facility and is currently assessing hiring needs. All current employees at its Columbia hub will be able to relocate to the new Anne Arundel site, located 13 miles away.

Pandora expects the Anne Arundel facility to meet LEED Silver Certified standards for energy efficiency, water consumption, and sustainable design.

"This investment reflects both our confidence in the US market and our commitment to delivering a world-class experience to our customers," said Luciano Rodembusch, president of Pandora North America. "By expanding our operational capabilities, we are positioning Pandora to capture the strong growth opportunities we continue to see across North America."

The U.S. is Pandora’s fastest-growing market. From 2020 to 2024, revenue more than doubled, and the company reported 12% organic growth in the U.S, during the first half of 2025. These results outperformed the broader market and were driven by robust in-store and online traffic, according to Pandora.

[READ MORE: Pandora transforms merchandising with AI]

Headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, Pandora operates 500 U.S. stores.

Salish Matter and her father have a combined following of 40 million viewers on YouTube, so maybe it’s no surprise that they drew 40,000 to the release of their skin care brand at American Dream

All three levels of the mall were bulging with fans of dancer Jordan Matter, whose 15-year-old daughter has established herself as a digital icon among other girls her age. That popularity led the duo to launch Sincerely Yours, a collection of moisturizers, mists, and cleansers aimed at teenage girls that is sold exclusively at Sephora stores.

Salish’s fans and their parents were there to catch a glimpse of the teen star at her one-day pop-up shop that ran from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. last Saturday, but most had to settle for distant glimpses of their idol and her dad.

Making last weekend a YouTube-based family fest at the mega-mall in the New Jersey Meadowlands, American Dream also presented The Ninja Kidz — Bryan, Ashton, Paxton, and Payton Myler — whose channel reaches 24 million subscribers. 

They were there to launch the Ninja Kidz Action Park, an entertainment brand that features attractions that includes trampolines, lazer mazes, and ziplines.

The Sports Network (TSN) is allowing Canadian Football League (CFL) fans to browse and purchase merchandise they while viewing games.

TSN is partnering with the Shopsense AI livestream shopping platform to offer TSN Shop, a curated shopping experience for viewers of its "Friday Night Football" weekly CFL pro football broadcast. During the broadcasts, viewers scan an on-screen QR code to browse and purchase merchandise, including wardrobe items inspired by those worn by TSN personalities, CFL team gear, road trip items, and other items. 

Viewers can select the products they’re interested in and are then redirected to the product website where they’re able to make a purchase. The TSN Shop will expand into additional sport properties over the coming year.

"With the expansion of our Shopsense AI partnership to include TSN, we’re continuing to redefine how viewers interact with Bell Media content," said Matt McGowan, senior VP, business solutions of TSN parent Bell Media. "This new collaboration allows sports fans to enjoy an interactive viewing experience, while we’re able to provide Bell Media clients with customized opportunities that connect them directly with TSN audiences."

Brands can also sponsor collections of curated content showcasing their products and services in a custom virtual storefront.  Bell Media plans to scale shoppability across its content library, including award shows, scripted dramas, and unscripted programs.

U.S. viewing events that have been enabled for shoppable livestream content in partnership with Shopsense include the Super Bowl, MTV Video Music Awards and CMT Music Awards.

[READ MORE: Shoppable content – the new omnichannel commerce frontier]

Walmart is making a new push into South Africa — this time under its own banner.

The retail giant plans to open its first branded stores in South Africa before the end of 2025. Walmart said it will provide further details about the store locations, opening dates and community initiatives in the coming months. 

The company already does business in South Africa through Massmart, which operates a variety of local store banners. Walmart acquired 51% interest of the company in 2011, and acquired the remaining shares in 2022.

The news about the branded stores follows Walmart’s first Growth Summit, held in April. The event featured suppliers from 12 countries with products made, grown or assembled in Africa. It resulted in the recruitment of small and medium-sized Africa-based suppliers.

“Walmart’s South African stores will offer a wide range of merchandise, including fresh groceries, household essentials, apparel and technology,” said Kath McLay, president and CEO, Walmart International. “Walmart also will offer a variety of locally sourced products. By partnering with South African suppliers and entrepreneurs, Walmart will bring its signature Every Day Low Prices and global standards to the market, while celebrating the country’s rich culture.”

The company added that customers can expect to find affordable groceries and a selection of family, home and entertainment items — including global brands — in “bright, well-designed stores with wide aisles and Walmart’s friendly service.” They can also look forward to digital capabilities to enhance their shopping journey.

“We’re thrilled to begin this journey introducing the iconic Walmart brand to South African associates, customers and communities,” said Miles Van Rensburg, president and CEO, Massmart. “By listening and working together, we aim to build lasting relationships and deliver a delightful shopping experience that reflects the needs and aspirations of South Africans.”

1-800-Flowers Inc. is expanding two of its retail brands for the holidays. 

Harry & David and Things Remembered will open a series of pop-up stores for the holiday shopping season. The expansion includes Things Remembered’s return to the retail landscape, with a pop-up (complete with live engraving stations) at Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, Calif.  

Harry & David’s holiday pop-ups are located at the following locations:

• California: Westfield Galleria at Roseville, Roseville;  Westfield Century City, Los Angeles (both opened on Sept. 5)
• New Jersey: Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus; (opened Sept. 5); The Mall at Short Hills, Short Hills (opening Oct. 4)
• Virginia: Tysons Corner Center, Tysons (opening Oct. 8)

Harry & David will also return to select Macy's locations with holiday pop-ups at South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, Calif. (Sept. 29); Del Amo Fashion Center, Torrance, Calif. (Oct. 3); and the flagship Herald Square store in New York City (Oct. 31). This is in an addition to Harry & David’s existing retail locations in Long Island, New York, and Oregon.

“There's something magical that happens when consumers can touch, smell, and truly experience our products in person," said Adolfo Villagomez, CEO, 1-800-Flowers.com. “The new retail locations are another way for us to meet consumers exactly where they are in their moment and help them express what matters most."

[READ MORE: 1-800-Flowers taps former Home Depot exec as CEO]