News Briefs

One of the world’s best-known toy brands is expanding its retail footprint in Canada.

The Lego Group will open three new Lego Store locations in Canada in the coming months, marking what it says is its largest expansion in the country in more than five years. The stores will open across the Greater Toronto Area this fall, including at CF Markville in Markham (Sept. 11), CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Oct. 23) and Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga (Nov. 6).

Lego Group says the Canadian expansion reflects its continued investment in physical retail and experiential shopping, while bringing the brand to cities that have never had a dedicated Lego Brand retail location.

[READ MORE: Colliers: How ‘kidults’ are fueling sales of toys and collectibles]

To celebrate each opening, the Lego Group is inviting local communities to "Add Your Piece," a special opening weekend initiative that encourages builders of all ages to participate in interactive experiences and collaborative activities that celebrate the creativity and character of their city.

Founded in Billund, Denmark in 1932, The Lego Group’s products are sold in more than 120 countries worldwide. The company has a total of more than 1,100 stores across the globe.

The largest outlet mall in Oklahoma has changed hands.

New York City-based real estate investment firm Lightstone has acquired OKC Outlets,  a 394,280-sq.-ft open-air outlet center in Oklahoma City, for $80 million, or $203 per square foot.

Lightstone said that as of July 2026, occupied square feet at OKC Outlets was 97.5%, and the center was leased to 94 national and regional tenants. Touted as the only center within a 100-plus mile trade area of Oklahoma City, tenants at OKC Outlets include Old Navy, Adidas, Gap, Levi’s, Aeropostale, American Eagle and more, alongside several quick-serve and fast-casual eateries.

“Lightstone's strategy is to preserve this current cash flow while incrementally improving the merchandising mix and tenant lineup as leases roll, supplemented by low-capital value drivers,” the company said, adding that OKC Outlets sees approximately 2.6 million annual visits.

[READ MORE: Placer.ai: Why Ikea will open its first Oklahoma store in its second-biggest market]

The acquisition brings Lightstone’s retail portfolio to five Class A outlet properties totaling approximately 2.4 million square feet.

First opened in 2011 as The Outlet Shoppes at Oklahoma City, the property was developed by Horizon Group Properties and CBL & Associates Properties. It was renamed to OKC Outlets in 2017 following its acquisition by Singerman Real Estate.

An organic and natural grocery chain is entering a new third-party delivery partnership.

Natural Grocers is offering on-demand and scheduled delivery of its product assortment, including food, dietary supplements, body care and household essentials, from all 174 stores nationwide via the DoorDash app. As part of the offering, a DoorDash driver will shop a customer's requested products from a local Natural Grocers store and deliver them directly to the address provided.

"At Natural Grocers, we've spent more than 70 years helping customers access high-quality natural and organic products at affordable prices," said Raquel Isely, VP of marketing at Natural Grocers. "This partnership with DoorDash gives customers another convenient way to shop our stores while continuing to enjoy the quality standards, value and trusted products that define the Natural Grocers experience."

Natural Grocers has also been partnering with delivery provider Instacart since 2015.

Natural Grocers brings rewards program online

Natural Grocers' free member rewards program, {N}power, is also integrated into the retailer’s online shopping experience. Members who enter the phone number associated with their account can access eligible {N}power pricing, just as they do in stores. Customers are not required to create an account to place an order, although membership offers additional savings and benefits.

[READ MORE: Natural Grocers to open first Wisconsin store]

Founded in 1955, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Inc. is headquartered in Lakewood, Colo., and operates 174 stores in 22 states. Launched in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco, DoorDash provides on-demand delivery services in 25 countries across the globe.

A popular South Korean cafe chain is entering the United States.

Twosome Place will open a 2,604-sq.-ft. location in the Old Town neighborhood of Alexandria, Va., outside of Washington D.C., marking its first location in the U.S. The cafe is expected to open in mid-October, and will feature 78 seats including outdoor seating.

Twosome Place added that two other locations are set to open soon. With its U.S. debut, the company said it is bringing its “proven cafe concept to a new global audience.” It is one of the latest Asian retail and concepts to expand in the U.S. 

[READ MORE: Gong cha to open first U.S. airport location]

"Our debut in the Washington region is an important milestone for Twosome Place as we look ahead to future growth in the U.S.," said Jay (Young Joo) Moon, CEO of Twosome Place Korea. "We're excited to introduce American consumers to the café culture we've built over the past two decades, one centered on quality, hospitality, and creating a place where guests can gather over exceptional coffee and cake.”

Founded in Seoul in 2002, Twosome Place operates more than 1,750 locations across South Korea. The chain offers its guests specialty coffee and premium cakes and desserts, including its signature Strawberry Chocolate Cream Cake and bestselling Ice Box Cake.

A leading sporting goods retailer is naming a new chief people officer.

Academy Sports + Outdoors is appointing Matthew (Matt) M. Pasch to the role of executive VP and chief people officer. In this position, Mr. Pasch will oversee the retailer’s talent strategy, human resources, and communications functions supporting the company's corporate, distribution centers, and retail initiatives.

Most recently, Pasch served as executive VP, chief human resources Officer at Burlington Stores Inc. He also held the roles of senior VP of HR, merchandising, marketing and strategy as well as senior VP of HR, corporate support, distribution and supply chain in addition to other executive and leadership positions throughout his tenure, which began in 2010 and continued until 2026 with a five-month break in 2013 where he served as VP of North American HR for Dollar Financial Group.

Pasch will report directly to Steve Lawrence, CEO of the Academy Sports + Outdoors, and succeeds William (Bill) S. Ennis who recently retired from the company. He also previously served as corporate director of operations at Finlay Fine Jewelry and holds a B.S. degree in HR management and services from the University of Wisconsin.

[READ MORE: Academy Sports + Outdoors plans 11 new stores for Q3 — here's where]

Originally founded in 1938 as a family business in Texas, Academy has grown to more than 300 stores across 21 states and counting.

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.