News Briefs

Starbucks Coffee Company wants to create a targeted store experience that will create a "second peak" during the day.

The coffee giant is launching a new customizable beverage line called "Energy Refreshers" featuring natural caffeine, no added synthetic additives, and B vitamins. In addition, Starbucks says its stores will look and feel different during the afternoon starting during spring 2026 and throughout the summer. 

Digital menu boards will transition from morning recommendations to spotlight afternoon-focused products like Energy Refreshers, iced teas and grab‑and‑go snacks. The atmosphere will also feature upbeat afternoon playlists. Midday and afternoon dayparts generate $11 billion in sales after 11 a.m., according to Starbucks, and the retailer says it believes there is room to create a “second peak.” 

In addition, in response to tea sales climbing by more than 70% since 2021, Starbucks is offering new tea flavors including Iced Mango Cream Chai and Iced Mango Cream Matcha. The retailer is enacting these changes as part of “Back to Starbucks,” a broad turnaround strategy instituted by CEO Brian Niccol in 2024 that includes cost controls and changes to how the company manages its workforce.

[READ MORE: Starbucks' new strategy includes four-minute service, cozier cafes, simpler menu]

"Together, these elements, combined with green apron service will shape a new daily ritual for our customers, one that brings the signature warmth, innovation and connection of Starbucks into the heart of their afternoon," Erin Silvoy, senior VP, global marketing & channel development, Starbucks, said in a corporate blog post. "With refreshed menus and an evolved coffeehouse experience we’re creating more reasons than ever to choose Starbucks as that essential mid‑day reset. This is just the beginning of what’s possible when we reimagine the afternoon, the Starbucks way."

Walmart advertisers have new opportunities to reach customers via social media.

Walmart is unveiling new social media offerings for brands participating in its Walmart Connect retail media network (launched in 2021 as a revamped version of the Walmart Media Group). These include self-serve access, closed-loop measurement, and new shoppable formats.

As a result, for the first time, self-serve advertisers can use Walmart Connect social media to create integrated, full-funnel campaigns, starting with Meta and expanding to other platforms such as TikTok later in 2026. An API for tech partners is also planned for later this year.

Participating advertisers and agencies can now activate the same Walmart audiences across their social and onsite placements. In addition, self-serve advertisers can launch, optimize, and measure social media campaigns within the Walmart Connect Ad Center. Social media ads appear under Walmart’s handle and feature a supplier’s or seller’s product. 

[READ MORE: Walmart expands advertising integration with Vizio connected TVs]

Other new Walmart Connect offerings

Walmart is also continuing to expand closed-loop measurement across social platforms, with closed-loop measurement via LiveRamp’s data clean room now available for Meta and closed-loop measurement also available for TikTok and Pinterest.

The retailer is also introducing an “add-to-cart” feature on Meta, TikTok and Pinterest. Instead of a multi-step shopping process where customers must leave those apps to add a product to their cart, they can now add up to 10 products directly to their Walmart cart from social ads. 

Burt’s Bees' participation in a beta test campaign that combined offsite display with social add-to-cart drove 42% of ad-attributed sales, with 95% of shoppers who added-to-cart buying within a week of exposure, according to Walmart data.

A leading discount retailer’s Car Seat Trade-In program has reached a milestone.

From April 19 to May 2, Target shoppers will have the opportunity to trade in an old, expired or damaged car seat and earn a 20% Target Circle Bonus toward a new car seat or baby gear purchase. For the 10th anniversary of the program, the retailer is expanding the value beyond just baby gear, offering savings across toys, food and beverage, and apparel.

Over the last decade, Target says its Car Seat Trade-In program has helped keep more than 58 million pounds of materials out of landfills. Recycled resin from discarded car seats into more than 690,000 Brightroom and Room Essentials private label products, according to the retailer.

“Families trust Target to be there for them during life’s biggest milestones,” said Amanda Nusz, senior VP of merchandising, essentials and beauty at Target. “With Car Seat Trade-In, we’re making it easier for busy parents to get high-quality, thoughtfully designed products for their little ones while easily recycling what they no longer need and saving on what comes next.”

On April 25 and 26, select Target stores will have giveaways, samples and opportunities for families to connect and discover what’s new. It also marks the first Car Seat Trade-In event with the newly announced Baby Boutique experience, now live in nearly 200 stores, transforming the traditional baby aisle into a hands-on discovery space. Throughout the boutique experience, families can see, touch and test over 2,000 new items from premium brands.

[READ MORE: Target reveals turnaround plan — investing $6B in stores, tech and workers]

Minneapolis-based Target Corp. operates nearly 2,000 stores nationwide in addition to its e-commerce site.

Amazon will reportedly deliver fewer packages via the U.S. Postal Service, but the reduction is not as severe as expected.

The online giant and USPS have reached an agreement that will see Amazon deliver about 20% fewer packages through the mail then it does currently, according to Reuters. However, previous media reports had indicated Amazon and the USPS might reach a deal where the volume of the retailer’s mail shipments could be cut by two-thirds.

USPS has long struggled with its operational costs and told Congress in March it could be out of funds by October 2026. As part of this agreement, Reuters reports Amazon will continue efforts to develop its own proprietary delivery network, but not to the point it would threaten the existence of the Post Office.

[READ MORE: Amazon investing more than $4B in rural delivery]

Amazon’s business reportedly contributes about $6 billion in annual revenue to USPS, which has a yearly operating budget of roughly $80 billion. 

"We're pleased to have ​reached a new agreement with USPS that furthers our longstanding partnership and will let us continue supporting our customers and communities together," Amazon said in a statement to Reuters. USPS has not yet publicly commented on the deal.

The current agreement between the two parties expires in October 2026. Postmaster General David Steiner had reportedly planned to hold a reverse auction in early 2026 that might create more competition within the Post Office for Amazon's business by offering access to postal facilities to the highest bidder, rather than directly to Amazon. It would make the company compete with national retail brands and regional shipping firms.

A fast-casual artisan pizza chain is streamlining the process of disputing third-party delivery losses and reclaiming recoverable funds.

Mod Pizza, which operates 450 locations across North America, is deploying the Par Technology Ops recovery solution to aid in management of delivery loss claims from third-party platforms and the reconciliation of revenue from those providers. The platform works 24/7 behind the scenes to identify and dispute recoverable losses and connects with all major delivery platforms. 

The retailer is building on an existing Par Technology stack that includes POS, operations management and loyalty management solutions, and is also deploying delivery management technology from Par.

“Our journey with Par Technology has been instrumental in Mod Pizza’s growth and ability to deliver exceptional experiences to our guests,” said Tia Wolfe, director of restaurant marketing at Mod Pizza. “We value the reliability and innovation Par brings to the table, and we’re excited to continue our partnership as we look ahead to the next chapter.”

In addition to providing its own proprietary online delivery service, Mod Pizza partners with third-party platforms including DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub.

[READ MORE: Mod Pizza acquired by Los Angeles-based restaurant group]

"Mod Pizza understands that great guest experiences start with strong operations," said Savneet Singh, CEO of Par Technology. "By expanding with recovery and delivery operations, they’re deepening their use of a unified Par platform to run their business more effectively. Bringing our solutions together gives Mod the consistency and visibility needed to perform better every day, and we’re proud to support them as they continue to scale."

Nordstrom is growing its footprint in the Golden State.

The retailer will open two additional Nordstrom Local service hubs in San Diego and Danville, Calif. The 1,190-sq.-ft. Nordstrom Local One Paseo will open June 4 in San Diego, and the 1,214-sq.-ft. Nordstrom Local Danville will open on June 18 in Danville, which is an inland city in the Bay Area.

At Nordstrom Local, customers have access to online order pick and return services, along with alterations and gift box services. Guests can also donate gently-used clothing and shoes at the hubs.

Nordstrom Local One Paseo and Nordstrom Local Danville will be the fifth and sixth Nordstrom Local in the state of California, joining Nordstrom Local Brentwood, Newport Beach, Manhattan Beach and Fillmore.

[READ MORE: Nordstrom Rack adds Michigan store to 2027 lineup]

"We're excited to bring these new Nordstrom Local service hubs to San Diego and Danville, expanding our commitment to serving customers across California," said Fanya Chandler, president of Nordstrom stores. “Northern and Southern California represent two of our most significant markets, and these new locations reflect our continued focus on evolving alongside our customers. By extending our presence closer to where our customers live and work, we believe Nordstrom Locals will offer greater convenience, broader access to what they need, and a more personalized experience.”

The Nordstrom Local expansion comes as the retailer has a host of store openings planned for the near future. Nordstrom will open more than 20 Rack locations this year, with new stores planned in major markets such as Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa and several East Coast cities.

Headquartered in Seattle, Nordstrom Inc. operates nearly 400 Nordstrom, Nordstrom Local and Nordstrom Rack locations nationwide.