News Briefs

Walmart is making a new push into South Africa — this time under its own banner.

The retail giant plans to open its first branded stores in South Africa before the end of 2025. Walmart said it will provide further details about the store locations, opening dates and community initiatives in the coming months. 

The company already does business in South Africa through Massmart, which operates a variety of local store banners. Walmart acquired 51% interest of the company in 2011, and acquired the remaining shares in 2022.

The news about the branded stores follows Walmart’s first Growth Summit, held in April. The event featured suppliers from 12 countries with products made, grown or assembled in Africa. It resulted in the recruitment of small and medium-sized Africa-based suppliers.

“Walmart’s South African stores will offer a wide range of merchandise, including fresh groceries, household essentials, apparel and technology,” said Kath McLay, president and CEO, Walmart International. “Walmart also will offer a variety of locally sourced products. By partnering with South African suppliers and entrepreneurs, Walmart will bring its signature Every Day Low Prices and global standards to the market, while celebrating the country’s rich culture.”

The company added that customers can expect to find affordable groceries and a selection of family, home and entertainment items — including global brands — in “bright, well-designed stores with wide aisles and Walmart’s friendly service.” They can also look forward to digital capabilities to enhance their shopping journey.

“We’re thrilled to begin this journey introducing the iconic Walmart brand to South African associates, customers and communities,” said Miles Van Rensburg, president and CEO, Massmart. “By listening and working together, we aim to build lasting relationships and deliver a delightful shopping experience that reflects the needs and aspirations of South Africans.”

Salish Matter and her father have a combined following of 40 million viewers on YouTube, so maybe it’s no surprise that they drew 40,000 to the release of their skin care brand at American Dream

All three levels of the mall were bulging with fans of dancer Jordan Matter, whose 15-year-old daughter has established herself as a digital icon among other girls her age. That popularity led the duo to launch Sincerely Yours, a collection of moisturizers, mists, and cleansers aimed at teenage girls that is sold exclusively at Sephora stores.

Salish’s fans and their parents were there to catch a glimpse of the teen star at her one-day pop-up shop that ran from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. last Saturday, but most had to settle for distant glimpses of their idol and her dad.

Making last weekend a YouTube-based family fest at the mega-mall in the New Jersey Meadowlands, American Dream also presented The Ninja Kidz — Bryan, Ashton, Paxton, and Payton Myler — whose channel reaches 24 million subscribers. 

They were there to launch the Ninja Kidz Action Park, an entertainment brand that features attractions that includes trampolines, lazer mazes, and ziplines.

The Sports Network (TSN) is allowing Canadian Football League (CFL) fans to browse and purchase merchandise they while viewing games.

TSN is partnering with the Shopsense AI livestream shopping platform to offer TSN Shop, a curated shopping experience for viewers of its "Friday Night Football" weekly CFL pro football broadcast. During the broadcasts, viewers scan an on-screen QR code to browse and purchase merchandise, including wardrobe items inspired by those worn by TSN personalities, CFL team gear, road trip items, and other items. 

Viewers can select the products they’re interested in and are then redirected to the product website where they’re able to make a purchase. The TSN Shop will expand into additional sport properties over the coming year.

"With the expansion of our Shopsense AI partnership to include TSN, we’re continuing to redefine how viewers interact with Bell Media content," said Matt McGowan, senior VP, business solutions of TSN parent Bell Media. "This new collaboration allows sports fans to enjoy an interactive viewing experience, while we’re able to provide Bell Media clients with customized opportunities that connect them directly with TSN audiences."

Brands can also sponsor collections of curated content showcasing their products and services in a custom virtual storefront.  Bell Media plans to scale shoppability across its content library, including award shows, scripted dramas, and unscripted programs.

U.S. viewing events that have been enabled for shoppable livestream content in partnership with Shopsense include the Super Bowl, MTV Video Music Awards and CMT Music Awards.

[READ MORE: Shoppable content – the new omnichannel commerce frontier]

1-800-Flowers Inc. is expanding two of its retail brands for the holidays. 

Harry & David and Things Remembered will open a series of pop-up stores for the holiday shopping season. The expansion includes Things Remembered’s return to the retail landscape, with a pop-up (complete with live engraving stations) at Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, Calif.  

Harry & David’s holiday pop-ups are located at the following locations:

• California: Westfield Galleria at Roseville, Roseville;  Westfield Century City, Los Angeles (both opened on Sept. 5)
• New Jersey: Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus; (opened Sept. 5); The Mall at Short Hills, Short Hills (opening Oct. 4)
• Virginia: Tysons Corner Center, Tysons (opening Oct. 8)

Harry & David will also return to select Macy's locations with holiday pop-ups at South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, Calif. (Sept. 29); Del Amo Fashion Center, Torrance, Calif. (Oct. 3); and the flagship Herald Square store in New York City (Oct. 31). This is in an addition to Harry & David’s existing retail locations in Long Island, New York, and Oregon.

“There's something magical that happens when consumers can touch, smell, and truly experience our products in person," said Adolfo Villagomez, CEO, 1-800-Flowers.com. “The new retail locations are another way for us to meet consumers exactly where they are in their moment and help them express what matters most."

[READ MORE: 1-800-Flowers taps former Home Depot exec as CEO]

Waffle House is now offering all-night delivery between the hours of 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. in a new exclusive partnership with DoorDash that is timed for its 70th anniversary and National Waffle Week. The diner chain is utilizing the DoorDash Drive on-Demand solution, which lets it offer delivery through its own app and website with fulfillment by DoorDash drivers for a flat fee per delivery.

[READ MORE: Waffle House debuts delivery program]

A leading office supplies chain is debuting a new speedy pickup option for its customers. 

Called the “15-Minute Pickup Promise,” the service allows customers to pick up qualifying online or mobile orders in-store or curbside in just 15 minutes. It is now available at Office Depot and OfficeMax stores (both banners of The ODP Corp.) nationwide. 

To use the new option, customers place a qualifying order at officedepot.com or via the Office Depot mobile app and select "In-Store or Curbside Pickup" at least one hour before closing. If the order isn’t ready in 15 minutes, they will receive a $15 coupon for your next qualifying purchase within 72 hours.

The new program compliments Office Depot’s other shopping and fulfillment services, including buy now, pay later with PayPal, same-day delivery and same-day printing services.

“At Office Depot, we’re committed to providing the fastest and easiest shopping experience in the nation for our customers, whether they’re wrapping up back-to-school lists or running their own small business,” said Kevin Moffitt, president of Office Depot. “Our 15-Minute Pickup Promise is designed to deliver convenience and peace of mind so that customers can get what they need – when they need it – and focus on what matters most.”

[READ MORE: Office Depot launches business services program]

Headquartered in Boca Raton, Fla., Office Depot Inc. operates approximately 1,400 stores through its banner brands Office Depot, OfficeMax, CompuCom and Grand&Toy banners, along with an online presence.