News Briefs

GameStop continues to shrink its brick-and-mortar portfolio.

The struggling video game retailer revealed in a December 2025 Securities and Exchange filing that it planned to close a "significant number of additional stores" during the rest of its 2025 fiscal year, which ends on Jan. 31, 2026. Although GameStop has not disclosed the exact number of stores planned for closure, reports from local media and customer notices indicate that up to 200 stores could go dark.

In its third-quarter earnings report, GameStop said it had closed 590 stores in the United States during the previous fiscal year as part of a “store portfolio optimization review.” During the quarter, revenue fell 4.6% to $821 million as sales of hardware, software and accessories declined.

The retailer is closing stores as it continues to deal with declining revenue amid the shift to digital game sales. In the face of declining sales, GameStop has been touting its cost-cutting efforts and improved efficiencies. It has also has invested in cryptocurrency and focused on the growing trading card market along with expanding its collectibles (figurines) offerings.

[READ MORE: GameStop unveils $35B pay plan for CEO Ryan Cohen tied to 'extraordinary' growth]

Target Corp. wants to be the destination for everyday wellbeing. 

The retailer is expanding its wellness products assortment by 30%, adding thousands of new items priced under $10 and more exclusives. Along with the new items across its entire assortment, Target is sharpening its focus on wellness with enhanced in-store and digital experiences designed to give customers more personalized ways to discover products for their wellness regimen.

Target's elevated wellness experience includes its first-ever in-store wellness events, with product sampling and giveaways on Saturday, Jan. 10 and Saturday, Jan. 17 in its stores nationwide. In other initiatives, customers will find Target’s exclusive Joy Lab Glow Studio apparel and accessories at the front of the store and curated cross-category wellness displays throughout the aisles.

On the digital front, Target is launching a refreshed  “Wellness Hub’ on its web site and its app, offering personalized recommendations. It also has revamped the "Eat Well Your Way" experience on Target.com and the Target app to make it easier for customers to shop by dietary preferences such as protein, fiber, gluten-free and more.

Target is spotlighting its new wellness brands and exclusive products in a new marketing campaign, “Wellness, Perfectly Picked for You.”

"About 70% of guests are already shopping wellness at Target and right in time for the new year, we're bringing them even more newness and value by adding some of the most trusted, relevant and inspiring brands across our assortment," said Lisa Roath, executive VP and chief merchandising officer of food, essentials and beauty, Target. "Our goal is to make wellness really accessible – fun, easy, affordable and personalized — so consumers can focus on building routines that help them look and feel their best."

Target said it plans to introduce new products in 2026 across its owned brands and exclusive partnerships, plus in categories like sporting goods and wearable tech.

Lowe’s is expanding its footprint in the Lone Star State to kick off 2025.

The home improvement giant will debut two new stores in Texas in January to meet the needs of “rapidly growing communities.” Lowe’s will open a store in Celina (north of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex) on Jan. 23, as well as a store in Manvel (south of the Houston metropolitan area) on Jan. 30. 

Each store features approximately 94,000 sq. ft. of retail space, 30,000 sq. ft. of outdoor garden space, and will employ more than 100 associates. The new Texas stores will include dedicated Buy Online Pick Up In-Store Zones, as well as enhanced assortments in flooring, kitchen and bath, appliances, workwear and pet products. They will also offer self-service paint kiosks to reduce wait times for guests.

Last November, Lowe’s added to its Texas store count with new locations in Midlothian and Royse City.

"Service is at the core of everything we do here at Lowe’s and solving problems and helping customers across their journey is our mandate," said Joel Cogdell, president of Lowe’s South Division. "Whether that’s helping a family settle into their new home or helping a Pro get everything they need for their project, we are excited to open stores in these communities and begin providing the value and exceptional service Lowe's is known for."

[READ MORE: Numerator: Home Depot, Lowe's capture nearly half of home improvement spending]

Based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s employs approximately 300,000 associates and operates over 1,700 home improvement stores, 530 branches and 130 distribution centers.

Waterproof footwear brand Vessi has made its brick-and-mortar debut.

The Vancouver, B.C.-based company opened its first physical retail store on Jan. 7 at Bellevue Square in Bellevue, Wash., located outside of Seattle. The location features Vessi’s full lineup of lightweight men’s, women’s and kid’s footwear built with the brand's proprietary Dyma-tex waterproof knit technology, as well as select outwear.

The company has sold more than 2 million pairs of shoes globally, with the Pacific Northwest representing one of its strongest customer regions.

"Opening our first U.S. store is an important step for the brand," said Andy Wang, CEO of Vessi who co-founded the brand in 2018. "The Pacific Northwest has always been a core market for us, and Bellevue is a natural place to bring the Vessi experience into a physical retail setting.”

Josh Larsen, Vessi's director of retail & store development, said that the company would love to open more stores in the U.S. in the future.

"Bellevue is an important first step, and we’re looking forward to seeing how customers engage with the brand," he added. "Stay tuned for more.”

[READ MORE: Boot brand Blundstone debuts U.S. flagship — with two more stores planned]

In connection with the store opening, Vessi says it will donate all profits from the Bellevue store's opening period through the first weekend of operations to support relief and recovery efforts following recent floods in Washington. A separate donation will also be made to support flood-affected communities in Abbotsford and the Lower Mainland in British Columbia.

Bellevue Square, part of The Bellevue Collection, features more than 200 retail shops along with dozens of restaurants.

Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, Albertsons Companies operates more than 2,200 stores across 34 states and the District of Columbia under more than 20 banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, Carrs, Kings Food Markets and Balducci's Food Lovers Market.

Kendra Scott Design Inc. has named its next chief executive.

Chris Blakeslee will take over as CEO of the jewelry and lifestyle brand effective Jan. 12. He succeeds company founder Kendra Scott, who has served in the role in an interim basis since the departure of Tom Nolan in August. (Nolan, an 11-year company veteran, had served as CEO since 2021.) Scott will continue in her role as "chief visionary officer," executive chairwoman and majority shareholder.

Blakeslee joins Kendra Scott from Gap Inc.-owned women’s athleticwear brand Athleta, where he served as president and CEO before stepping down in August 2025. Blakeslee had led the brand since August 2023.

Prior to Athleta, Blakeslee served as president of athleticwear brand Alo Yoga and its sister company, wholesale apparel brand Bella+Canvas, for six years, from 2017 to 2023. At Alo Yoga, he partnered closely with the co-founders to scale the brand from under $50 million to a $1 billion-plus brand in less than five years.

Before Blakeslee, he held several senior positions at Broder Brothers (now Alphabroder), a wholesale distributor of branded products and services

"Chris understands our customer-first mission, and I'm excited to see him lead with purpose – driving strategic growth and deepening brand affinity," said Scott. "His forward-looking vision strengthens our holistic brand world, where product, environment, community and culture work seamlessly together. Chris honors my vision while adding a dynamic perspective, making him the ideal steward for our next phase of growth."

[READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE Q&A: How Kendra Scott uses AI to personalize gifting, shopping]

Blakeslee takes the reins of Kendra Scott as the brand has expanded beyond its core jewelry roots into such categories as apparel, hats, boots, home accessories and more. In 2023, the company debuted a new, Western-inspired retail concept, Yellow Rose By Kendra Scott, in Texas. It has since expanded the format, opening a flagship in the company's hometown of Austin, Texas.

"I have not encountered a brand with deeper consumer connection and loyalty – so authentically rooted in genuine brand love,” said Blakeslee. “This powerful foundation provides an extraordinary platform for expansive growth, and I am deeply honored and excited to join as CEO.”

Founded in 2002, Kendra Scott LLC operates more than 165 namesake experiential stores and pop-up locations. Its products are also available through wholesale partners, including Nordstrom and Dillard's, and at more than 1,000 specialty boutiques.