News Briefs

Pop culture-influenced apparel and collectibles retailer Hot Topic is under new ownership.

Spencer Spirit Holdings Inc. said that it has completed its acquisition of Hot Topic Inc. and its brand portfolio — Hot Topic, BoxLunch and Her Universe — from Sycamore Partners. The purchase price was not disclosed, although Bloomberg had earlier put it at approximately $350 million. Spencer Spirit is the parent company of Spencer’s and Spirit Halloween.

The Hot Topic Inc. business will continue to operate independently from the Spencer Spirit business and maintain its existing headquarters in City of Industry, Calif. Steve Vranes will remain as CEO  Hot Topic Inc., overseeing the three brands' day-to-day operations and strategic growth. He will report to Spencer Spirit CEO Steven Silverstein.

The Hot Topic Inc. portfolio includes more than 900 Hot Topic and BoxLunch stores. Spencer's has more than 650 locations offering lifestyle products across a wide range of categories. Spirit Halloween is the largest Halloween retailer in North America, with more than 1,550 seasonal locations. In 2024, the company debuted Sprit Christmas, which is expected to have 44 locations this year.

READ MORE: Spirit Halloween plans record hiring ahead of season

“This transaction allows Spencer Spirit Holdings to expand its portfolio of lifestyle and specialty retail brands, bringing together six complementary concepts under a single platform and strengthening its position as a leading mall-based specialty retailer,” Spencer Spirit said in a statement.

In a statement when the deal was first announced, Spencer Spirit CEO Steven Silverstein noted that while the operating models and strategies of the two companies cater to unique and different audiences, "our core values, mission and commitment to innovation are completely aligned."

“This transaction enhances our long-term durability, broadens our reach, and positions us to write the next chapter of retail history together," he said.

In his nearly two decades as a master “mall man,” having earlier spent time at Westfield and Macerich, Geoff Mason has been named the chief operating officer of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield’s U.S. business.

Mason succeeds Dominic Lowe, who will depart the company after 18 years with URW and Westfield. 

“Geoff is an exceptional leader who brings a deep understanding of our U.S. portfolio, strong relationships across the organization and a clear vision for the future of our centers,” said URW’s CEO Vincent Rouget. “I am very pleased that he will take on this role at such an important moment for the group."

“I would also like to thank Dominic for his significant contribution to our business over the past 18 years and wish him every success for the future,” Rouget added

Mason most recently served as executive VP of asset management and development for URW’s U.S. portfolio, where he worked across asset management and development. 

He also helped launch the portfolio’s mixed-use program, spearheading major projects at Westfield Garden State Plaza, Westfield Old Orchard and Westfield Topanga.

“Over the past eight years, I have seen firsthand the strength of URW’s U.S. portfolio and the Westfield brand,” Mason said.” I am honored to take on this role and look forward to building on that momentum as we continue to elevate our flagship destinations across the U.S., deepen our retailer and brand partnerships, and create long-term value for the people and communities they serve.”

URW operates 65 shopping centers located in major urban centers around the globe. 

A prescription drug savings platform is now providing discounts on in-person and digital healthcare services to family members and pets.

GoodRx, which expanded from providing prescription discounts via partner pharmacy retailers to directly selling and fulfilling orders for eligible prescription and over-the-counter medications online in 2024, launched a monthly subscription program that expanded its savings offerings in May 2026.

[READ MORE: GoodRx enters healthcare space with new subscription program]

Now, GoodRx is expanding its everyday healthcare subscription with the Companion Family Plan, which costs $24.99 per month or $16.99 per month when paying annually and extends Companion benefits to a primary member and up to four dependents, which may include children, adult family members, and pets. 

Members gain access to more than 250 eligible generic medications for free and hundreds more for under $10 at nearly every pharmacy nationwide, plus savings on dental, vision, lab and imaging services. The primary member also receives access to $19 online care visits. 

 “Families don’t experience healthcare costs one person at a time.” said Wendy Barnes, president and CEO of GoodRx. “They’re simultaneously managing prescriptions and care for kids, parents, partners, and even pets. Expanding Companion across the entire household allows us to support consumers in a way that reflects this reality.”

GoodRx also plans to offer Companion through the Employer Direct specialty care platform. Companion can complement existing health benefits by addressing prescription costs and other coverage gaps or extend healthcare savings to workers who are not eligible for traditional benefits. With its prescription savings feature, GoodRx Companion is taking on RxPass, a $5 monthly prescription service for U.S. Prime members that Amazon Pharmacy initially launched in 2023. 

WHP Global has finalized the addition of a high-profile luxury brand to its fashion portfolio.

The brand management company, in a joint venture with G-111 Apparel Group, has completed its acquisition of the Marc Jacobs brand from LVMH. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but WWD put the deal at roughly $925 million. with the two companies each owing a 50% equity stake.

Under the terms of the transaction, WHP leads the joint venture, including global brand licensing. G-111 will support the joint venture while owning and leading the operating business, including wholesale, e-commerce and retail. The business includes more than 100 stores. Marc Jacobs will remain as founder and creative director.

In a statement, the two companies said they are focused on expanding the brand’s global reach and “unlocking new opportunities across markets and product categories.”

"This closing marks an exciting new chapter for Marc Jacobs, a brand with a distinctive creative legacy and global reach,” said Morris Goldfarb, chairman and CEO of G-III Apparel Group, whose brands include DKNY, Donna Karan, Karl Lagerfeld, Sonia Rykiel and more. “G-III brings the scale and expertise to build and grow global brands, and we look forward to working with the Marc Jacobs team and WHP Global to protect what makes the brand special while supporting its continued growth worldwide.” 

A specialty food and home goods retailer is offering same-day delivery with a new partner.

World Market is entering a new collaboration with Instacart that makes its entire assortment of global foods, home décor, furniture and gifts available for same-day delivery in as fast as one hour with no markups. Instacart is World Market's first and exclusive online same-day delivery partner.

"Partnering with Instacart is an exciting new chapter for World Market and a natural extension of our commitment to making the World Market experience as accessible and convenient as possible for our customers," said Eric Hunter, CEO of World Market. "Our stores are filled with inspiring finds from around the globe, and now, customers can have that same curated assortment delivered to their doorstep the same day.”

Through the Instacart app and website, customers can now browse and order from World Market's assortment of items for same-day delivery. Customers can take $15 off their first qualifying $60 World Market purchase on Instacart through Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.

World Market also recently went live with omnichannel payment platform Affirm, offering flexible payment options online and at nearly 250 stores nationwide.

[READ MORE: World Market offers Affirm flex payments]

"World Market has built an incredibly loyal following of customers who love discovering something new every time they walk through the door, and we're thrilled to bring that same feeling of discovery directly to their homes for the first time with the speed and convenience of same-day delivery," said Ryan Hamburger, chief commercial officer at Instacart. 

Headquartered in Alameda, Calif., World Market operates 248 stores. San Francisco-based Instacart is a grocery technology company that partners with more than 2,200 retail banners representing nearly 100,000 stores.

Target Corp. has launched a collection that revives an iconic 1990s fashion brand for tween and teen girls.

The retailer has debuted an exclusive Delia’s apparel collection online. The collection, which is currently being rolled out in Target stores, includes graphic tees, sweaters, sweatshirts, skirts, cargo pants, lounge pants, dresses, jackets and accessories. Prices start at $8.

As part of the launch, Target bringing back the signature Delia’s catalog, which the retailer called a “memorable part of the original brand experience." Target is mailing 1,000 catalogs featuring the assortment to its affiliate list, and nearly 1,200 stores carrying the collection will each receive catalogs for guests.

Delia’s rode a big wave of popularity in the 1990s as a go-to brand and retail destination for girls. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2014 as the rise of fast-fashion and online competition cut into its business. It subsequently closed its stores and went out of business. 

[READ MORE: Target to roll out in-store beauty studio concept in September]

“The assortment brings the iconic Delia’s brand to Target, offering a fresh take on its signature ’90s and early-2000s style, tapping into nostalgia for guests who grew up with the brand while introducing it to a new generation,”  Target said in a statement to Chain Store Age. “The partnership gives Target an opportunity to connect across generations by bringing back an iconic brand for millennials, while tapping into Gen Z’s affinity for vintage aesthetics, authenticity, and nostalgia for eras they didn’t grow up in. The result is an assortment that feels both familiar and fresh."