News Briefs

Sweetgreen has touched down in a new state as it continues to expand its footprint.

The health-focused fast-casual chain has opened its first store in Arizona with a location at the Scottsdale Quarter retail center. The new 2,515-sq.-ft. space accommodates up to 30 guests indoors and 36 guests on the patio. Customers have the option of ordering in-store, online or through the Sweetgreen app.

“We’re thrilled to introduce Sweetgreen to Arizona and become part of the vibrant communities in Scottsdale and Phoenix,” said Jonathan Neman, co-founder and CEO of Sweetgreen. “Our mission is to connect people to real food, and we’re excited to bring that experience to a state that values wellness, sustainability and community.”

In May, Sweetgreen made its debut in another new state: Arkansas. The brand said it remained on track to grow its footprint by 15% to 20% annually, with plans to open at least 40 new restaurants this year.

Founded in 2007, Sweetgreen now operates more than 250 locations across the United States. The chain serves salads and bowls that prioritize organic, regenerative and locally-sourced produce.

[READ MORE: Sweetgreen expanding in the South]

"Sweetgreen is a perfect addition to Scottsdale Quarter, bringing a fresh and healthy dining experience that’s convenient for our residents, office tenants, and visitors,” said Taylor Alvey, VP of leasing at Vestar. “Once you experience Sweetgreen, it’s easy to become a fan, and we’re excited to welcome them as they debut their first location in Arizona.”

Recently acquired by Vestar and FalconEye Ventures, Scottsdale Quarter spans 755,000 sq. ft. and is currently undergoing a phased redevelopment plan.

JCPenney continues its efforts to appeal to fashion-minded consumers on a budget.

The department store retailer is launching the RM Rebecca Minkoff line, an affordable collection from designer Rebecca Minkoff, who transitioned to a licensing-driven model in July. The exclusive line, which includes "shrunken" pea coats, pleather bombers, fringe jackets, blouses, skirts, wide-leg denim, boots, handbags and accessories. debuts with more than 85 pieces and price points starting at $40.

"True insiders know great fashion shouldn’t be a secret, and it certainly isn’t defined by the price tag,” said Michelle Wlazlo, JCPenney brand CEO. “We are excited to welcome the designer brand RM Rebecca Minkoff into the JCPenney portfolio, giving our customers even more reasons to shop with us. This launch makes elevated designer style more accessible than ever, whether you’re running errands or running the world. If you know you know, and now, everyone can.”

Earlier this month, Penney launched exclusive limited-time collection from legendary designer brand Bob Mackie, whose starry list of clients ranges from Cher to Taylor Swift.

The new initiatives are part of Penney’s new brand campaign, "Yes, JCPenney!"

After many months of wondering what would happen with the empty Sears and Macy’s spaces at Ohio Valley Mall, residents of St. Clairsville, Ohio, have learned that Burlington and Academy Sports + Outdoors will make good use of that real estate.

Academy Sports and Burlington will soon occupy much of what used to be the Sears store. Academy Sports — which has pledged to open as many as 25 new stores this year in states including Georgia, Indiana, and Florida — will occupy a 56,000-sq.-ft. portion of the Sears space.

Its neighbor Burlington — which operated 1,138 stores at the end of the second quarter of 2025 — will move into a 22,000-sq.-ft. portion of the Sears space.

Boot Barn will open at Ohio Valley mall in a 13,000-sq.-ft. space that used to be part of Macy’s.

A Cafaro property, Ohio Valley Mall is located off Interstate 70, halfway between Pittsburgh and Columbus.

The list of retailers launching their seasonal holiday campaigns in October (or even earlier) just gained a major addition.

Walmart is hosting its third annual “Walmart Deals” holiday kickoff sale. The event runs Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025 at 12 a.m. through Sunday, Oct. 12. For the entire week, shoppers will have access discounts on to tens of thousands of items online, in the Walmart app and in stores nationwide.

While no membership in the Walmart+ paid subscription plan is required to participate in Walmart Deals, Walmart+ members will have access to discount prices five hours early, beginning 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6. A list of selected discounts is available here.

The retailer is also offering rollback deals on thousands of items across categories including food, tech, fashion, and beauty starting Tuesday, Sep. 23.

Walmart began offering some holiday shopping features in early October 2022. In October 2023, the discount giant officially launched the Walmart Deals extravaganza, which returned in 2024.  

Target and Kohl’s are both offering omnichannel sales the first full week of October that are at least partially being presented as the first promotion of the this year's holiday season. Other Tier I retailers targeting holiday shoppers well before Halloween include Best Buy, Amazon and Macy’s.

[READ MORE: Retailers get uncertainty and an early start for the holidays]

Based in Bentonville, Ark., Walmart operates 10,750 stores and numerous eCommerce websites in 19 countries. 

Saks Global is reportedly looking to raise funds to help pay down its debt.

The parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus is in talks to sell a 49% stake in luxury retailer Bergdorf Goodman for about $1 billion, reported the Wall Street Journal. At least four bidders are in the running, including Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds and strategic investors, according to the report.

Saks reportedly intends to use the proceeds from a sale to pay down debt after last year’s acquisition of Neiman Marcus. Saks acquired the high-end retailer in late December in a deal valued at $2.7 billion. At the time of the closing, Neiman operated 36 namesake stores, two Bergdorf Goodman stores and five Last Call off-price outlet. (WWD reported that Saks carrying more than $4 billion in debt.)

“We have initiated a strategic process to explore the potential sale of a minority stake in Bergdorf Goodman,”  Richard Baker, executive chairman, Saks Global, said in the Journal report. “While Bergdorf Goodman is core to our strategy, this process is intended to unlock value for our business and de-lever our business.”

Saks is also in the process of selling $600 million of real estate and currently owns properties valued at roughly $9 billion, according to the report. 

Walmart's drone delivery service has achieved a new milestone.

In an email to Chain Store Age, Walmart said that it has achieved an official Guiness World Record in partnership with Grammy Award-winning rapper/singer Cardi B and Wing, an on-demand drone delivery provider powered by Google’s parent company Alphabet. 

In a recent first-of-its-kind album drop in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro market, the discount giant delivered 176 signed copies of Cardi B’s new album “Am I the Drama” to customers in one hour, setting a new official world record for most drone deliveries in one hour.

All CDs were filled from local Walmart stores, and the album is still available for sale on the Walmart e-commerce site. Cardi B posted about the record-setting event on her official X (formerly Twitter) profile.

Walmart initially launched drone-based deliveries from three stores in Northwest Arkansas in late 2021, then expanded a partnership it launched with Wing for drone delivery in the Dallas-Fort Worth market in August 2023. 

In June, Walmart said it is now offering its drone delivery service in Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando and Tampa. This move makes the company the first retailer to scale drone delivery across five states: Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Texas. 

[READ MORE:Walmart brings drone delivery to five new markets]