News Briefs

Google is helping consumers get ready for the holidays with tools to streamline online shopping and research-backed seasonal shopping tips.

The online giant is releasing upgrades to the Universal Cart, an intelligent digital shopping cart it introduced in May; and also launching a new holiday shopping resource called the “When to Buy Guide” which advises when holiday discounts may hit their peak, based on data from 2025.

Following are overviews of each new Google offering:

Universal Cart

When a customer adds a product to Universal Cart, it automatically begins finding deals and price drops and provides insights on price history and alerts the shopper when an item is back in stock. Now it will save a shopper’s progress across Google so they never have to start their shopping from scratch.

Universal Cart also now takes advantage of its Google Wallet foundation to understand user card perks and intelligently help them choose among payment methods and show relevant promo codes right from the cart.

In addition, customers can now transfer items directly to a retailer’s cart to finish purchases on their site. Participating retailers include Nike, Sephora, Target, Ulta Beauty, Walmart, Wayfair, and many Shopify merchants. Either way, shoppers will receive direct confirmations and customer support from the retailer, and they will remain the seller of record.

[READ MORE: Google upgrades Universal Commerce Protocol; adds retail AI tools]

When to Buy Guide

This new digital shopping resource uses Google search and discount data to show when holiday deals peak. It also provides pricing trends and insights into last-minute gifting habits, such as which state claims the most last-minute shoppers.

Tips from the guide for the upcoming holiday season include purchasing fragrances early, waiting till mid-December to buy handbags and waiting until late December to purchase luggage and electronic toys.

Sbarro is centralizing data management and standardizing operations across its U.S. store footprint.

Aloha Next is built on a microservices architecture, meaning individual API-connected services can be deployed separately. Sbarro seeks to create a unified technology environment for its in-store and multi-store management operations, providing greater visibility and resiliency across its store fleet.

Other pizza retailers have also implemented the Aloha Next POS platform in the past year. Pizza Ranch Inc. rolled out the solution in July with the goal of creating a unified foundation for POS, payments and in-store capabilities; while Marco’s Pizza has been deploying the NCR Voyix Aloha Essentials platform architecture, featuring next-generation POS technology, hardware, software, professional services and full support desk coverage, for its international locations since October 2025.

[READ MORE: Marco’s Pizza selects POS platform for international stores]

Founded in 1956, Sbarro has a presence in more than 30 countries worldwide through a combination of company-owned and franchised restaurants.

Lidl US is offering its loyalty program members a Thanksgiving meal deal to feed the entire family for under $40.

From Nov. 11-25, members of the discount grocer’s Lidl Plus program can find the ingredients for a Thanksgiving meal that serves up to 10 people for only $35.86. The basket includes turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, macaroni and cheese, rolls and pumpkin pie.

Throughout November, Lidl US says it will also temporarily reduce the prices of 100 products each week. Lidl Plus customers who make a qualifying Lidl purchase once each week during November can earn up to an extra $25 in the LidlPlus app  in December. 

Lidl US says it has reduced the prices of more than 1,500 products this year.

“Thanksgiving is about bringing people together, and we believe families deserve More to Value – more food, more savings and more confidence in the prices they pay.” said Jassine Ouali, chief customer officer at Lidl US. “We’re proud to be a fresh discount grocer, delivering exceptional value every day and helping families celebrate the moments that matter.”

Also starting Nov. 11, Lidl Plus customers can benefit from the grocer’s 2026 Thanksgiving “Never Beaten on Price” promise. Lidl says it will match the comparable total price of the Thanksgiving basket at competitor retailers like Walmart and Aldi.

[READ MORE: Aldi in fall price-cutting move]

Part of Schwarz Group, Lidl operates around 12,900 stores in 32 countries. It made its U.S. debut in 2017, and now operates more than 200 stores across nine East Coast states.

Sprouts Farmers Market’s expansion efforts are bringing it to a new state in the Midwest. 

The natural and organic grocer will open its first Michigan location in the eastern Detroit suburb of St. Claire Shores, according to local news outlets and the city in a Facebook post. Sprouts will fill the space of a former Kroger store and will be located next to a Planet Fitness.

The retailer confirmed the planned opening in an email to The Detroit News, adding that the store is scheduled to open in 2029.

"Sprouts provides fresh food at a lower price point than competing grocers while also stocking plenty of non-perishables," St. Clair Shores officials wrote in a Facebook post. “Renovations will start next year.”

After opening seven stores during its second quarter, Sprouts plans to ramp up its expansion in the third quarter, opening at least 15 stores, which would be its largest “quarterly opening cadence” to date. The grocer has a target of 42 net new stores this year.

For the period ended June 28, Sprouts reported earnings per share of $1.37, compared to earnings per share of $1.35 in the year-ago period. Analysts had expected earnings per share of $1.35.

Net sales rose 5% to $2.3 billion. E-commerce sales rose 12%, representing approximately 16% of the quarter’s total sales. Same-store sales inched down 1%.

[READ MORE: Sprouts opens new Phoenix HQ amid ongoing expansion]

Sprouts employs approximately 36,000 team members and operates more than 500 stores in 25 states nationwide.

Auto-themed dining chain Ford’s Garage has made its debut in the Volunteer State.

The burger and craft beer restaurant inspired by the heritage of The Ford Motor Company has opened its first Tennessee restaurant, in Chattanooga. Inside the 8,000-sq.-ft. restaurant, customers will find an immersive automotive-themed atmosphere, featuring decor such as classic cars, gas pumps and more for a 1920s “garage vibe.”

Ford’s Garage Chattanooga joins one of the city’s busiest retail and dining corridors, located near Hamilton Place Mall and other popular attractions including Lookout Mountain, Ruby Falls and Rock City.

"We couldn't think of a better community than Chattanooga to introduce Ford's Garage to Tennessee," said Ted Moats, managing partner of TN Legends and franchise owner of Ford's Garage Chattanooga. "We were drawn to Ford's Garage because it brings the heritage of one of the world's most iconic brands together with great food, friendly service and an atmosphere that's unlike anything else. Chattanooga's rich automotive history and strong sense of community make it a natural fit, and we're excited to open our doors to locals and visitors alike."

Founded in 2012 in downtown Fort Myers, Fla., just minutes from Henry Ford's winter estate, Ford's Garage is an official licensee of the Ford Motor Company. The chain operates 36 locations across nine states.

[READ MORE: Ford's Garage to make Delaware debut]

"For us, hospitality has always been about people – creating opportunities for our team members and legendary experiences that make guests want to come back," added Moats. "Opening the first Ford's Garage in our home state, building a new team, and becoming part of the Chattanooga community makes this especially meaningful."

The Rolling Stones are returning to New York City – with a limited-time promotional pop-up store.

“The Greatest Rock n Roll Band in the World” has a long and storied history with New York City going back to playing Carnegie Hall during their first U.S. tour in 1964. While the band is not currently touring, they are opening a pop-up shop at the Universal Music Group UMusic Shop at Penn Plaza in New York City Friday, Oct. 16-Saturday, Oct. 17.

In a promotional email, The Rolling Stones said the pop-up will feature “brand new merchandise, music, limited daily drops,” and plenty of other offerings. The official Facebook and Instagram pages of The Rolling Stones Store are also promoting the upcoming pop-up.

The Rolling Stones are no strangers to selling branded merchandise via brick-and-mortar stores, pop-up or otherwise. In October 2023, the band opened two U.S. pop-ups, with locations in New York City’s Union Square neighborhood and another on Santa Monica Blvd. in Los Angeles, to promote the release of their “Hackney Diamonds” album.

[READ MORE: First Look: Check out Rolling Stones NYC pop-up store]

The temporary stores marked the first expansion of the RS No. 9 retail brand outside of the U.K., where it made its debut in 2020 with a permanent store on Carnaby Street in London. At that time the Rolling Stones also opened a a semi-permanent physical location in Japan, dubbed RS No. 9 Harajuka, in Tokyo’s fashionable shopping district, showcasing an elevated product mix alongside Japan-exclusive music and merchandise.

Image: The Rolling Stones Store.