News Briefs

United Parcel Service (UPS) is making a major commitment to using RFID for tracking small packages.

UPS is deploying RFID-enabled package sensing across its U.S. small package network. The implementation comes following a more than $100 million investment in RFID to date to develop and roll out the technology and includes all package delivery vehicles and delivery facilities in the U.S., as well as every package shipped through the company’s more than 5,500 The UPS Store locations, including customer return shipments. 

How it works

UPS is moving from tracking packages via scanning by drivers and associates to automatic sensing performed by RFID technology:

• RFID is embedded into labels, on UPS vehicles and in the company’s loading bays.
• RFID pickup sensing confirms packages have been picked up and are in UPS’s possession.  
• Packages are automatically sensed as they move through the network and customers gain transparency into where their shipments are and how they are progressing.  
• With more and better data, UPS says it can respond faster when conditions change such as weather and other unexpected events.  

RFID is in use every day at UPS, supporting millions of packages. The company says it is the first major logistics provider to broadly roll out RFID technology across its integrated network. 

[READ MORE: UPS automates fulfillment workflows with robots]

“We’re lighting up customers’ supply chains in real time with RFID, enabling precise tracking, faster insights, a smarter network and smarter packages,” said Matt Guffey, executive VP and chief commercial and strategy officer, UPS. “This is the most significant visibility advancement in the past decade at UPS and in our industry.”  

QVC Group Inc. is planning to file for bankruptcy protection.

According to a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company intends to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas within 90 days. QVC Group’s portfolio includes home shopping network pioneer QVC, HSN, Ballard Designs, Garnet Hill, Frontgate and Grandin Road. 

Amid declining regular television viewership and other shifts in consumer behavior, QVC Group has been struggling with slumping sales for some time. Its net revenue fell nearly 8% to $8.3 billion in 2025 as its as net loss more than doubled to more than $2.1 billion.  According to regulatory findings obtained by Bloomberg, the company had amassed $6.6 billion in outstanding group debt as of Sept. 30, 2025, which includes a credit facility that was expected to mature in October 2026.​

In its filing, the company cited “significant professional fees” in preparing for bankruptcy, with even greater costs possible through the proceedings. It warned that “we cannot assure that cash on hand, cash flow from operations will be sufficient to continue to fund our operations.”

Just when hundreds of thousands of soccer fans will be streaming into the Meadowlands for the biggest show in sports, American Dream mall in the will be shining the lights on another stage across the vast parking lots.

Later this spring, the Dream Live Performing Arts Center will open its doors to a wide range of theater, dance, comedy, and live concerts. The 3,000-capacity venue will feature a state-of-the-art L-Acoustics sound system, along with best-in-class lighting and video production capabilities to support world-class performances. 

Food and beverage services will be operated by Aramark, with ticketing managed through Ticketmaster.

“The Dream Live Performing Arts Center represents a significant step forward in our continued evolution as a global entertainment destination,” said American Dream chief marketing officer Adam Petrick. “We are committed to delivering high-quality, immersive experiences for our guests, and the Dream Live Performing Arts Center will serve as a platform for top-tier talent and diverse programming.”

Dream Live, said Petrick, will play a key role in American Dream’s World Cup programming beginning in June.

A shuttered Washington D.C. area mall is set to be transformed.

South Carolina-based WRS Inc. Real Estate Investments has officially broken ground on redevelopment of Lakeforest Regional Mall – a 102-acre enclosed mall in Gaithersburg, Md., that closed its doors in 2023.

Reported by Rebusiness Online, WRS will embark on a $1.2 billion redevelopment project that will transform the mall into a mixed-use property featuring 1,600 residence units and 470,000 square feet of retail space, along with green space, parks, plazas and more.

WRS says that once completed, the Lakeforest property is projected to generate $1.7 billion in annual economic output and $2.7 million in recurring annual revenue for the City of Gaithersburg, located 26 miles north of the nation’s capitol. WRS bought the mall in 2019, and the plan for the site was approved in 2023. 

“None of this happens without the trust of the Gaithersburg community, the partnership of Montgomery County, and the incredible teams who have poured themselves into this vision,” said WRS in a LinkedIn post. “Phase 1 infrastructure is underway. The future of Lakeforest starts now.”

[READ MORE: Tennessee's RiverGate Mall sold, to undergo redevelopment]

Lakeforest Regional Mall first opened its doors in 1978. JCPenney, Lord & Taylor and Sears closed at the mall in 2019, while the last remaining anchor, Macy's, closed in 2023.

(Rendering courtesy of WRS)

A direct-to-consumer premium furniture brand is set to make its physical retail debut.

Povison has signed a five-year lease in Los Angeles’ West Hollywood neighborhood, which will mark its first permanent store. Brokered by CBRE, the 6,800-sq.-ft. store is slated to officially open in June, and will feature a comprehensive array of the brand’s “tech-forward” mid-century modern designs.

Last fall, the brand hosted a Los Angeles pop-up showroom on Melrose Avenue, which led to its decision to create its first permanent retail space.

[READ MORE: Cozey opening L.A. pop-up; plans permanent stores in NYC, Montreal]

“Povison is entering an explosive growth phase with our first foray into physical retail in 2026,” said Ayden Lin, founder of Povison. “Coming out of a wildly successful L.A. temporary pop up last year, we knew West Hollywood would be the perfect place for our first home. Creating a physical touchpoint for our customers has become a very important part of our brand strategy. We look forward to serving and engaging with the L.A. community, as well as expanding to other markets later this year.”

Founded in 2020, Povison’s products include sofas, tables, TV stands, chairs and more. Products arrive at consumers' doors fully assembled.

A hockey-focused promotion is back at Chipotle Mexican Grill.

The fast-casual Mexican chain has announced the return of its Hockey Jersey BOGO event for the sixth consecutive year as the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are set to begin on April 18. On Monday, April 20, after 3 p.m. local time, fans who wear a hockey jersey to participating Chipotle restaurants in the United States and Canada can receive a buy-one-get-one entree.

Chipotle is an official partner of both the NHL and the National Hockey League Players' Association.

"Our Hockey Jersey BOGO has become a tradition that brings fans together around the Stanley Cup Playoffs and reflects our deep connection to the hockey community," said Stephanie Perdue, interim chief marketing officer at Chipotle. "Playoff hockey is fueled by rituals – from jerseys to game-day meals – and this year, we're giving fans another reason to make Chipotle part of their pre-puck-drop routine."

[READ MORE: Chipotle reboots loyalty program for app experience, rewards frequency]

For the first time, Chipotle is releasing a limited-edition hockey jersey inspired by past Hockey Jersey BOGO campaigns. Only 75 jerseys will be available exclusively through the Chipotle Rewards Exchange, which allows rewards members to cash in points for free items.

In tandem with the BOGO promotion, Chipotle says it has contributed more than $190,000 to hockey organizations across North America through hockey-related fundraisers, including more than $52,000 raised through over 300 fundraisers in 2025 alone.

Chipotle operates over 4,000 restaurants as of Dec. 31, 2025, in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Middle East, and it is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe.