News Briefs
- 5/22/2026
It's true — Shein is acquiring Everlane
An online, budget-priced fast-fashion retailer founded in China is acquiring a U.S. apparel brand know for its sustainability ethos, quality fabrics, ethical practices and commitment to transparency.
The CEO of Everlane has confirmed reports that the company is being acquired by Shein. The purchase price has not been disclosed.
“This is the start of a bigger chapter for Everlane and the team behind it," Everlane CEO Alfred Chang said in a statement to NPR. He said that Everlane would remain "an independent brand, staying true to our longstanding brand values, sustainability commitments, and exceptional quality."
While most outlets are reporting that Shein “is buying” Everlane, the New York Times reported that the deal was finalized on Friday, with private equity firm L Catterton selling its majority stake in Everlane to Stein. Chang will remain in his role, according to the report.
In a statement to the Times, Neil Saunders, managing director and retail analyst at GlobalData, said he didn’t think it’s a surprise that Everlane has been acquired.
“I think the brand has a lot of debt, it hasn’t been performing, and I think it’s been looking for someone to buy it out,” he said. “I think the surprising part is that Shein has stepped in.”
- 5/22/2026
Madewell expanding in these locations...
Madewell is growing its footprint with three new store openings.
The apparel retailer, which is part of the J.Crew Group, is set to debut three new stores this summer, including its newly opened location in Sag Harbor, N.Y. The women's-only outpost marks the brand's fourth location on Long Island.
The Sag Harbor store features a gallery-like interior anchored by painted wood floors and raw white oak detailing, creating a light, airy backdrop for a tailored assortment of Madewell’s women’s collection. The essence of the Sag Harbor community is woven throughout the space, from drop-cloth curtains created by a local artist to a curated mix of vintage and modern furnishings that lend the store a collected, lived-in feel, the company said.
"We were inspired by the practice and studios of working artists on the east end of Long Island and wanted to create a space that feels thoughtful and connected to the Sag Harbor community,” said Steven Cateron, creative director and head of design for Madewell. “It's a special place to explore our signature denim along with summer essentials made especially for this store.”
Upcoming Stores
Madewell is also growing its footprint in Connecticut, opening a dual-concept store in Greenwich on June 10. And on June 24, the retailer will open its first dual-concept location in Oregon, in Bend.
Launched in 2006, Madewell operates approximately 150 stores across 40 states,
- 5/22/2026
Lululemon opens its first store in Greece
Lululemon continues to expand its footprint in Europe through its franchise partnership with Amsterdam-based Arion Retail Group.
The activewear retailer has opened its first location in Greece, a 1,927-sq.-ft. store in central Athens. A second location is set to open on June 12, at Athens’ Golden Hall shopping mall. The 3,120-sq.-ft. mall store will span two floors and offer customers an “elevated” shopping experience.
Lululemon said that both locations will serve as community hubs, fostering relationships with guests through movement, wellbeing, and shared experiences. The stores will play an active role in engaging with local run clubs, fitness studios and trainers.
Lululemon’s entry into Greece marks its third market entry of 2026 in partnership with Arion Retail Group, following Poland and Hungary in March. Through its franchise partnership model, the brand plans a record six new market entries during a 12-month period, with further planned entries this year including Romania, Austria, and India,
"We’re excited to welcome more guests to lululemon with the opening of the first stores in Greece, marking another milestone in our continued growth across EMEA,” said Sarah Clark, senior VP, EMEA, Lululemon. “Together with our franchise partner Arion Retail Group, we look forward to introducing our premium performance products that blend technical innovation with elevated style to new guests in the market and building meaningful connections with the local community here in Athens.”
- 5/22/2026
Here’s what drives brand discovery for consumers
Customers are finding brands through a variety of channels and technologies.
More than eight-in-10 (85%) consumers say the way they discover brands has fundamentally changed over the last five years. Nearly 78% of 408 U.S. consumers surveyed by business-to-business service provider platform Clutch find new brands while physically shopping and almost 60% discover brands online.
In addition, more than four-in-10 (43%) respondents use Google or another search engine when actively researching brands and one-third (34%) encounter a new brand on social media every day.
Artificial intelligence grows in importance
- More than half (56%) of respondents haven't yet discovered a brand through AI.
- However, close to half (47%) of respondents predict AI will be the biggest force shaping brand discovery.
Top conversion factors
- Forty-two percent of respondents say positive reviews are the top factor in converting discovery into a purchase.
- Nearly 40% of respondents trust friends and family most when evaluating a brand.
- Only 5% of respondents say influencers are their most trusted source.
[READ MORE: Almost all consumers use online reviews – here’s how]
In other findings, 72% of respondents make a purchase within a month of discovery.
"Getting discovered is half the battle," said Anna Peck, analyst at Clutch. "Consumers are moving fast, from first exposure to purchase in a matter of days, and the brands that convert are the ones that have already built credibility through reviews, word of mouth, and consistent presence across channels."
- 5/21/2026
Chain Store Age to close on Memorial Day
The offices of Chain Store Age will be closed on Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day. We will reopen and resume publishing our our daily newsletter, Daybreaker, on Tuesday, May 30.
We wish our readers a happy and safe holiday weekend!
- 5/21/2026
Home Depot invests more than $5.5M in disaster aid grants
The Home Depot Foundation is funding non-profit disaster response organizations in preparation for the upcoming hurricane season.
Home Depot is distributing more than $5.5 million in grants to non-profit groups that help communities better prepare for, withstand and recover from natural disasters. The home improvement giant’s Home Depot Foundation non-profit organization also provides mitigation training for groups supporting post-disaster rebuilding efforts and activates its Disaster Response Command Center providing continuous, daily communication between teams, impacted stores and suppliers during significant events.
[READ MORE: Home Depot increases SoCal wildfire aid]
The new grants will fund non-profits including Habitat for Humanity International, Team Rubicon, Operation Blessing, Inspiritus, HomeAid Hawaii; as well as partnership with the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) “Strong Homes program. Additional Foundation grants will fund programs with American Red Cross, Convoy of Hope, World Central Kitchen and Appalachia Service Project.
"Preparedness is a year-round commitment to building stronger, disaster-ready neighborhoods," said Erin Izen, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation. "With our research showing a "recovery lag" in areas rebuilding after a wildfire, hurricane or tornado, we're working to prioritize both reactive recovery and proactive resilience."
The Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer. At the end of the fiscal year 2025, the company operated a total of 2,359 retail stores and over 1,250 SRS locations across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico.
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