News Briefs

A rapidly growing specialty battery retailer is debuting a refreshed homepage for its e-commerce site.

Batteries Plus has redesigned its site to better serve what it says are the 51% of visitors browsing via mobile device, including updated navigation with a streamlined and more intuitive menu designed to enable location of products, service and store support with fewer clicks.

The site also has a new 24/7 learning hub called "Experts Plus," which features resources including buying guides, how-to articles on topics like installing car batteries; resources for local businesses such as electrical contractors; and coupons, sales promotions and mail-in rebates available at Batteries Plus stores and online.

"Over half of our website traffic comes from people on their phones and other mobile devices, so it only makes sense to ensure they're able to navigate our site with ease," said Chris McGee, VP of marketing for Batteries Plus. "Customers can now locate products, services, and find local store support with fewer clicks and a more intuitive layout. It feels clear, it feels organized, and it helps customers feel confident they are in the right place."

[READ MORE: Batteries Plus ends 2025 with 30 new store openings]

Batteries Plus has 800 locations open and in development across all 50 states and Puerto Rico, 

The Home Depot is cutting its corporate workforce. It’s also ending remote work for its corporate staffers.

The home improvement giant on Wednesday laid off 800 employees, with about 150 of the workers based at Home Depot’s Atlanta headquarters, reported CNBC, with the rest in remote jobs, mostly in the company’s technology organization. The layoffs represent about 0.2% of the company’s total workforce.

Home Depot is also putting a five-day in-office policy in place, starting the week of April 6, the report said. The move puts an end to flexible and remote arrangements that have been in place since the pandemic.

“In-person engagement enables more meaningful support for store and field associates, drives results and reinforces our people-centric culture and inverted pyramid,” Home Depot CEO Ted Decker said in a memo to employees as reported by CNBC.

The news about the Home Depot job cuts come the same week that Amazon said it is eliminating 16,000 positions across the company. 

[READ MORE: Amazon laying off 16,000 corporate employees]

Target continues to expand and elevate its beauty profile.

The retailer is expanding its assortment with nearly 3,000 new products, and more than 60 new brands. More than 90% of the items are priced under $20, according to Target.

The expanded assortment is being paired with a refreshed store experience and in-store beauty events. The updated experience boasts a clearer layout that highlights new and trending products, and updated displays designed to inspire customers to explore and interact with products. In fragrance, for example, new testers and signage explain scent notes.

Additional updates include a spotlight on only-at-Target finds, bestsellers and new products, helping guests shop with confidence. The haircare aisle has been given its  biggest transformation in years, making it easier to explore products based on textures, routines and needs, Target said.

Target plans to host beauty activations in select stores. The events will offer customers hands-on ways to experience new products

"Beauty is incredibly important and deeply personal to our guests, so our team has worked with beauty powerhouses and small, innovative, emerging brands alike to bring thousands of new products to the mix," said Amanda Nusz, senior VP of merchandising, essentials and beauty, Target. "We ended up with a Spring beauty lineup that reflects what guests are looking for right now — exciting new discoveries, Target‑only exclusives and prices that feel good. And we've freshened up the in‑store experience, too, so finding a new favorite feels easy and enjoyable."

 American Eagle Outfitters is closing down a logistics platform it acquired in 2021.

American Eagle has begun the process of ending operations of Quiet Logistics, which operates a network of fulfillment centers utilizing state-of-the-art technology including robotics. The specialty apparel retailer purchased Quiet Logistics for approximately $360 million in cash in December 2021.

[READ MORE: American Eagle completes acquisition of Quiet Logistics]

Quiet Logistics operated independently from American Eagle as a wholly-owned subsidiary. In addition to providing logistics services to American Eagle, Quiet Logistics also supported last-mile delivery for other retailers including Fanatics as well as Kohl’s, Steve Madden, Saks Off Fifth, Peloton, American Eagle, and Li & Fung.

“American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (AEO) has made the decision to close its wholly-owned Quiet Logistics business and discontinue services for third-party customers over the next several months," the company said in an email to Chain Store Age. "This strategic decision will enable AEO to prioritize growth and focus on its portfolio of leading lifestyle brands."

Quiet Logistics operates fulfillment centers in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas and Jacksonville. It also closed a center it previously operated in St. Louis. The centers are designed to locate products closer to need, creating inventory efficiencies and providing affordable same-day and next-day delivery options to customers and stores.

American Eagle Outfitters operated 1,190 stores at the end of the fourth quarter of 2025, including 830 American Eagle stores, 329 Aerie stores and 23 Todd Snyder stores.

The Vitamin Shoppe has unveiled a store that boasts an “innovation-forward” design format.

Located on the Upper East Side of New York City and dubbed the “Innovation Store,” the new Vitamin Shoppe is the company's first location first to introduce “Shoppe Advisor,” an AI-powered, interactive discovery tool designed to enhance in-store education, engagement and personalization. Using a digital touchscreen, customers can access the tool for detailed product information and expert-sourced wellness content, including articles and videos searchable by health goals, trends and brands.

In addition, the tool enables real-time inventory checks in stores and on vitaminshoppe.com, empowering both shoppers and store employees to support more informed, interactive conversations throughout the shopping experience, the company said.

The store offers an extensive selection of vitamins, supplements, sports nutrition, herbs, functional foods and snacks, energy drinks and everyday wellness essentials. The selection includes leading national brands alongside the Vitamin Shoppe's  portfolio of owned brands.

Featuring a dedicated events space, the Upper East Side store will host a series of health and wellness events with top partners brands.

"We are thrilled to open this new Innovation Store with Shoppe Advisor elevating the customer journey," said Jim Abbatemarco, executive VP and chief retail officer of The Vitamin Shoppe. “With our expansive assortment and the personalized support of our expert Health Enthusiast associates, The Vitamin Shoppe is making it easier and more engaging for New Yorkers to shop all their favorite health and wellness essentials."

The Vitamine Shoppe operates over 640 company-operated U.S. retail stores under The Vitamin Shoppe and Super Supplement banners. 

[READ MORE: Pilot revamps app as part of rebranding effort]