News Briefs

Sporting goods chains and restaurants reaped the biggest benefits from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

That’s according to a new report from real estate investment company Colliers and retail data firm Placer.ai, which examined retail and dining visitation patterns across the tournament's 11 U.S. host markets. According to FIFA, 6.8 million fans attended matches across North America, with the event having an estimated $40.9 billion global economic impact. 

The Colliers and Placer.ai report found that sporting goods stores emerged as the World Cup’s most consistent retail winner, with match-day visits increasing across all 11 U.S. host metros and averaging approximately 14% above pre-tournament same-weekday levels. Brands such as Adidas, Fanatics and Foot Locker saw visits increase as a result of successful retail activations. On the other hand, apparel stores and superstores experienced mixed results.

Stadium-adjacent dining visits increased 53.7%, while metro-wide retail traffic saw little overall lift, according to the report. Bars and pubs averaged a 9% increase in match-day visits across host markets. 

[READ MORE: Visa: World Cup led to economic boosts in these cities…]

“Retail and dining locations close to the action during the World Cup events benefited from the increased enthusiasm and many were able to capitalize on the attention in host cities," said Elizabeth LaFontaine, director of research at Placer.ai. “Traffic growth for retail categories like sporting goods was strongly correlated to the World Cup, cementing that the summer of sports captured the American shopper.”

The full report can be found here.

Amazon is running a limited-time online storefront for customers seeking to fill grocery needs for their Labor Day holiday plans.

In an email to Chain Store Age, a representative for Amazon said the online giant is offering discounts on select food items via a dedicated Labor Day grocery store on its site (the federal U.S. Labor Day holiday occurs Monday, Sept. 7).

Every eligible item is backed by Amazon's freshness guarantee and members of the Prime paid subscription program can receive benefits such as free same-day delivery on eligible orders and products.

Deal categories and products include:

Cookout essentials starting at $2, including:

• Select hot dog and hamburger buns.
• Barbecue sides like Amazon Grocery macaroni salad and potato salad.
• Select frozen products like Amazon Grocery rainbow sherbert.

Summer produce under $4, including:

• Mini seedless watermelon.
• Cherries.
• Red raspberries.

Grilling proteins under $10, including:

• Just Bare chicken breast fillets.
• Select Amazon Grocery ground beef burger patties and sausage links.

While Amazon is best-known for its widescale extravaganzas such as Prime Day, Prime Big Deal Days, and its annual Black Friday week promotion, the retailer has also been building a tradition of hosting of smaller sales promotions.

In May 2026, Amazon hosted its first-ever five-day Amazon Pet Days promotion, featuring deals on items including pet food and treats, toys, apparel, health care products, grooming supplies, and accessories.

[READ MORE: Amazon brings back Pet Days – for three extra days]

May also saw the company run its annual Summer Beauty Event, and Amazon ran its third annual Big Spring Sale in March and a dedicated Valentine’s Day shopping hub at the beginning of the year. 

A growing immersive entertainment concept has opened its biggest location to date.

Activate Games, which describes itself as the world’s first "active-gaming experience," opened a 14,814-sq.-ft. location in New York City’s Union Square neighborhood. It's the company's second location in the state, with the first at Roosevelt Field mall in Garden City (on Long Island). 

Activate locations combine physical gameplay with proprietary software, data tracking and recurring player engagement. Its SoHo outpost features 12 interactive game rooms where visitors can take on more than 55 game varieties, including challenges involving lasers, light-up grids, puzzles and strategy. 

Based in Winnipeg, Canada, Activate has 47 locations in the U.S., with additional openings coming soon, the company says. It operates over 75 locations worldwide. 

In March, the company announced that its doubled its debt financing facilities to $72 (C) million in partnership with Export Development Canada and RBC Royal Bank. The expanded facilities will fuel Activate’s next phase of growth across North America, Europe and Asia, providing a "clear path" to 100 locations in 12 countries by 2027, according to the company. 

[READ MORE: The 'third place' race: How new tenants, green spaces and more are elevating retail centers]

As part of the Union Square opening, Activate partnered with ice cream chain Carvel. Activate debuted a limited-edition Carvel-themed version of its interactive Strike game, which featured Carvel’s “Cookie Puss” character riding a Flying Saucer as players take on the fast-paced Asteroids game within the Strike room. 

Activate said the activation marked the first time an outside brand was featured inside one of its games.

“This collaboration with an iconic New York brand invites guests to step inside a lively experience they will not find anywhere else,” said Rachel Smith, VP of marketing at Activate America.

Walmart Inc. is dropping a limited-time fashion item inspired by one of its most popular food offerings.  

September is designated as National Chicken Month, and Walmart is recognizing the occasion by letting customers purchase a limited-edition handbag featuring an image of its rotisserie chicken. According to the retailer, roughly one in every 12 of its customers purchases at least one rotisserie chicken each year.

Walmart said its "chicken purse" is available in two "flavors" — traditional and lemon pepper. It will sell for $5.97, matching the everyday price of Walmart's rotisserie chicken.

The retailer Walmart is also introducing a collection of miniature bag charms based on popular rotisserie chicken pairings, including a Great Value Louisiana hot sauce charm.  The limited-edition purse and charms will be available for purchase at Walmart’s SparkShop.com branded merchandise site and in person at the Spark Shop inside the Walmart Welcome Center in Bentonville, Ark, beginning Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 8 a.m. ET. 

"With more than 15,000 social mentions in the last year, Walmart’s rotisserie chicken has officially reached a whole new level of fan-favorite status," said Kim Tunick, group director, brand experiences and partnerships, Walmart. "We wanted to celebrate this fandom by giving the rotisserie chicken its own moment. The chicken purse turns that love into something customers can carry with them."

[READ MORE: Walmart partnership with Major League Soccer offers merch, curated hub]

Based in Bentonville, Ark., Walmart Inc. operates more than 10,750 stores and numerous e-commerce websites in 19 countries.

JLL has added an open-air shopping center in a prominent Southern college town to its portfolio.

The JLL Income Property Trust has acquired Midtown Village in Tuscaloosa, Ala., for a purchase price of approximately $94 million. The 345,000-sq.-ft. property is one of the most visited retail centers in the state, with over 5.7 million annual visits. Tenants at Midtown Village include Best Buy, Planet Fitness, American Eagle, Old Navy, Ulta Beauty and more, along with several national fast-casual eateries including Chipotle, Chicken Salad Chick and Tropical Smoothie Cafe. 

The property is located 1.5 miles from the University of Alabama's main campus and within one mile of DCH Regional Medical Center, Tuscaloosa's largest regional hospital. The city’s population was estimated at over 114,000 as of 2025.

"Midtown Village offers an attractive enhancement to our retail portfolio," said Allan Swaringen, president and CEO of JLL Income Property Trust. "The enduring demand of this strong tenant roster supports stable operating performance, and the center is well positioned in a thriving submarket with proven traffic. With retail construction and vacancies declining nationally, we anticipate this continued supply-demand imbalance to drive returns for the sector as a whole."

[READ MORE: Enclosed San Diego center acquired by joint venture]

The JLL Income Property Trust portfolio now contains approximately $900 million in assets across 22 open-air shopping centers.

Walmart has launched the latest chapter in its fashion — and private label — evolution.

During the past five years, the retail giant has launched or relaunched 15 fashion private brands. The company’s newest offering is  Scenario, which it describes as having a “romantic, modern bohemian point of view.”

The 280-piece collection spans apparel, shoes, jewelry, handbags and accessories. The vast majority of items are priced under $25. 

The new line combines feminine silhouettes, vintage-inspired prints and rich textures with versatile pieces designed for everyday life. The idea for Scenario started with Walmart customers, the retailer said. Research found that nearly one in five women identifies “boho” as one of her top style preferences, while trend forecasting and merchant insights reinforced the enduring appeal of modern bohemian style.

[READ MORE: Walmart to roll out tap to pay option Aug. 24]

“We are on a journey to democratize fashion because we believe everyone should have access to beautiful clothes, regardless of their budget," said Denise Incandela, executive VP of fashion, Walmart U.S. "Scenario brings a feminine, modern bohemian point of view to Walmart, with incredible style and quality at an extraordinary value."