News Briefs

Shipley Donuts is touting its store expansion efforts as well as sales growth.

The Houston-based donut chain, known for handmade fresh daily donuts and kolaches, marked its 18th consecutive quarter of positive sales growth in the second quarter of 2025, while expanding into two new states and opening 16 new locations throughout the first half of the year. 

Shipley opened its first store in Virginia with a June opening in Lynchburg, increasing the brand’s footprint to 14 states. The brand also inked a deal in the second quarter to open its first Missouri location, which will bring a location to Branson by early 2026.

Shipley is on track to open a record-setting 40-plus new shops by the end of 2025. Ten of these are slated to open in the third quarter, including a new flagship location in Nashville’s high-profile Nashville Yards development. During the first quarter of this year, Shipley opened its first North Carolina location and signed a 30-unit development agreement to enter New Mexico and South Florida. 

“Shipley Donuts continues to prove that quality products are the foundation of consistent success and strong new market entries,” said Flynn Dekker, CEO of Shipley Donuts. “Eighteen consecutive quarters of positive growth is a testament to the strength of our brand and the dedication of our franchise partners who are bringing Shipley’s iconic taste to communities across America.” 

[READ MORE: McDonald’s, Krispy Kreme call it quits amid mounting costs]

Founded in 1936, Shipley Donuts operates more than 375 company-owned and franchised restaurants. The brand has more than 200 units in its development pipeline.

With new Aug. 1 tariffs on imported goods looming, many consumers are taking actions to avoid overspending in the future.

Shoppers are tightening their spending this summer in a number of ways. according to a new consumer survey from RetailMeNot. Dining out and takeout (50%), clothing and accessories (49%) and electronics (45%) are the three most popular categories for cutbacks, followed by travel (42%), groceries (29%) and home improvement (28%). Only 9% of consumers said they weren’t planning to make any cutbacks at all, meaning that over 90% are adjusting their personal finances in some way.

In other findings, more than half (55%) of shoppers said they are feeling increased pressure on their household budgets. Over 70% believe tariffs will make their financial situation worse. Forty percent expect their household finances to be “slightly worse” over the next six months due to tariffs, while 31% expect it to be “much worse.”

[READ MORE: Survey: Consumers looking for more discounts, buying fewer non-essentials to save money]

With potential price hikes looming, a majority (60%) of consumers surveyed say they’re starting holiday gift shopping early this year. Thirty-seven percent are already planning for back-to-school, 30% are thinking ahead to Thanksgiving, and 27% are prepping for Halloween. RetailMeNot says that shoppers are acting early because they don’t want to be caught off guard later by increased prices.

“Tariffs and trade policy aren’t abstract anymore – they’re showing up in grocery receipts, cart totals and shipping delays,” said RetailMeNot. “In response, we’re seeing a more strategic shopper emerge. They’re still spending, but with intention.”

RetailMeNot commissioned the Ziff Davis Shopping Survey on 1,120 adults. It was fielded in May 2025.

Chase Properties has added a handful of new outdoor shopping centers to its portfolio.

The Ohio-based real estate investment firm has acquired a four-property retail portfolio totaling 514,983 sq. ft. with two centers in Texas and two in Arkansas. This strategic transaction marks Chase Properties' entry into both states, expanding the company's growing footprint into four new markets.

The newly-acquired properties include the following: 

• Southloop Crossing (Lufkin, Texas) Anchored by Old Navy, Michaels, Ross, and Five Below.
• Killeen Marketplace (Killeen, Texas) Featuring Ross, Best Buy, and Shoe Carnival.
• Southcenter Shopping Center (Hot Springs, Ark.) Anchored by Kroger, Hobby Lobby, and Ross.
• Massard Crossing (Fort Smith, Ark.) Adjacent to a top-performing Walmart with TJ Maxx, Ross, and Five Below.

"We are thrilled to incorporate these four well-positioned community shopping centers into the Chase Properties portfolio," said Andy Kline, co-CEO of Chase Properties. "This acquisition represents our first retail assets in Texas and Arkansas. While we have previously invested in multifamily properties in Texas, this marks a significant expansion of our retail presence in both states. The addition of these retail shopping centers in secondary and tertiary markets aligns perfectly with our long-term retail investment strategy.”

[READ MORE: Florida’s Aventura tops USA Today’s 10 Best Malls list]

Prior to the acquisitions, Chase Properties operated 35 retail properties in 21 states. The company owns retail, industrial, and multifamily assets.

Dollarama Inc. has expanded Down Under. 

The Canadian value retailer has completed its acquisition of The Reject Shop, the largest discount retailer in Australia, in an all-cash transaction valued at C$233 million. Headquartered in Melbourne, The Reject Shop has over 390 locations across Australia, with stores selling private label and brand-name products. 

When the deal was first announced in March, Dollarama said it saw the potential to expand the chain’s footprint to approximately 700 stores by 2034. 

"We are pleased to officially welcome the TRS team to Dollarama," said Neil Rossy, president and CEO of Dollarama. "Expanding our international reach supports our long-term growth strategy, and we are thrilled to be embarking on this exciting new chapter with TRS's local leaders and more than 5,000 employees. By working together and applying Dollarama's strengths in sourcing, merchandising and retail operations, we are well positioned to deliver compelling value to Australian consumers and to drive the expansion of our new Australian growth platform over the long term."

Dollarama has 1,638 locations across all Canadian provinces and two territories. It also owns a 60.1% interest in Dollarcity, a growing Latin American value retailer.

Amazon is expanding in the AI-powered wearable devices space.

The company is acquiring Bee, a wearables startup that makes a Fitbit-like bracelet that records and transcribes the conversations of the user and the people around them. Using the content, Bee can create to-do lists, daily reminders and other resources for the user in a mobile app.  

Bee was founded in 2024 by Maria de Lourdes Zollo, who serves as CEO, and Ethan Sutin, who serves as CTO. Zollo confirmed the acquisition in a post on LinkedIn. 

“Bee is joining Amazon and we couldn’t be more excited! When we started Bee, we imagined a world where AI is truly personal, where your life is understood and enhanced by technology that learns with you. What began as a dream with an incredible team and community now finds a new home at Amazon," Zollo wrote.   

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Bee wearable connects with key Google services, including Gmail, Google Contacts and Google Calendar, to help users organize their “digital life,” the company states on its website. 

Amazon previously entered the wearables space in 2020 with Halo, a health monitoring device. In April 2023, the company moved out of the business and said Halo devices would no longer work as of Aug. 1, 2023.

North America’s largest shopping and entertainment center is back with a new live activation celebrating boba tea and a popular fictional character.

Mall of America is celebrating the official launch of a limited-time collaboration between Niko Niko Boba and Miffy, a fictional cartoon rabbit, with a special meet and greet this Saturday, July 26. Niko Niko Boba has teamed up with Miffy, for their newest collaboration, Miffy’s Sunny Sips, a trio of fruity bubble teas including Blueberry Bliss, Peachy Glow, and Berry Cloud. To celebrate the official launch, Miffy is making a special in-person appearance at Niko Niko Boba flagship store at Mall of America, Level 3, North.

Guests are invited to snap a photo with the beloved character Miffy, sip on the limited-time drinks, and shop exclusive merch, including Miffy-themed tumblers, totes, collectible cup sleeves, and more. The event is free and open to the public, while supplies last.

Miffy is a beloved children’s character created by Dutch artist Dick Bruna in 1955. With her “simple, charming design,” Miffy has become a global icon featured in books, TV shows, and lifestyle collaborations. 

The Niko Niko Boba x Miffy collaboration launches in all Minnesota and Colorado locations on July 26 for a limited-time-only. Niko Niko Boba operates 15 locations across the two states, including three within Mall of America.

[READ MORE: Twiggy the Squirrel skis again at Mall of America]

At 5.6 million sq. ft., Mall of America, located in Bloomington, Minn., is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America with up to 520 retail stores and restaurants, and several entertainment attractions.