Retail and restaurant expansion surged in September, with major brands unveiling new stores, remodels, and market entries across the U.S. and beyond. Target plans seven large-format store openings in October, while Costco is set to add 35 new warehouses this fiscal year. Toys“R”Us will open 10 new U.S. flagships, and Primark continues its U.S. growth with new leases — including its debut in Minnesota. LoveShackFancy entered the Midwest with a Chicago-area boutique, and Jack & Jones will open its first U.S. stores at five Brookfield Properties malls. On the dining front, Qdoba announced a massive 50-unit franchise deal across the West, and Starbucks will refresh 1,000 cafés by 2026. Meanwhile, Ulta Beauty expanded internationally with its first stores in Mexico, and Ace Retail launched a multi-year remodel of more than 80 hardware stores.

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. is reimagining its retail model with a nationwide franchise program that blends traditional storefronts with cutting-edge blockchain finance. The company plans to finalize franchise documentation within six months, offering store formats like home, kitchen, and “Holiday Shoppe” concepts — with localized merchandise and shared revenue from BedBathandBeyond.com. In a bold move, franchisees will have access to tokenized financing through the tZERO platform, which may serve as an alternative to SBA loans. Executive Chairman Marcus Lemonis continues steering the brand toward a tech-driven future, leveraging blockchain ventures such as tZERO and GrainChain to make Bed Bath & Beyond more asset-light and digitally focused.

Condo owners across South Florida are taking buyouts into their own hands as mounting repair bills, insurance hikes, and looming reserve deadlines push older buildings toward financial crisis. Following Florida’s strict post-Surfside recertification laws, many associations face skyrocketing HOA fees — in some cases from $800 to $2,000 per month — leaving owners eager to sell to developers. Despite a short extension under House Bill 913, costs remain overwhelming, and buyouts can take years as developers grow more selective and cautious. Industry experts say unity among owners is key to moving deals forward as the condo buyout trend reshapes Miami’s skyline.

Retail and hospitality employers are better prepared than most industries to handle unionization efforts, according to Littler’s 2025 Labor Survey. While 36% of non-unionized employers overall say they are “not prepared at all,” that number falls to just 19% in retail and hospitality. Employers in these sectors are more likely to train frontline managers (76% vs. 52% overall), but few have strike contingency plans or detailed bargaining strategies. The report also highlights Gen Z’s growing influence, with younger workers driving demand for more input in business decisions, as well as unions’ increasing use of digital campaigns, social media, and public demonstrations to organize.

The SEC has accused Retail Ecommerce Ventures (REV) co-founders Tai Lopez and Alexander Mehr, along with COO Maya Burkenroad, of running a $112 million Ponzi scheme. Regulators allege the executives misled investors about the profitability of their retail portfolio — which included RadioShack, Pier 1 Imports, Dress Barn, and Stein Mart — while misappropriating funds for personal use. Despite public claims of strong performance, internal records revealed steep losses across REV’s brands. The lawsuit, filed in Florida, seeks civil penalties and a jury trial.

U.S. consumer confidence slipped in September to its lowest point since April, reflecting growing worries about jobs, inflation, and the broader economy. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index dropped to 94.2, with job availability and current financial conditions seeing sharp declines. Inflation remained the top concern for households, while recession fears ticked higher. Despite weaker intentions to buy cars and travel, home-buying plans climbed to a four-month high, and electronics like smartphones saw increased demand.

Forever 21 may have closed all of its U.S. stores after bankruptcy, but a comeback is already in motion. Authentic Brands Group, which owns the fast-fashion label’s IP, has secured new e-commerce and wholesale deals and is now in advanced talks with a retail partner to bring physical locations back to the U.S. While details remain under wraps, the move signals ABG’s strategy to balance Forever 21’s digital presence with a renewed brick-and-mortar footprint—aiming to keep the brand relevant in both shopping malls and online marketplaces.

Claire’s, the iconic teen accessories retailer, is getting a new lease on life—literally. Following its $140M+ acquisition by private equity firm Ames Watson, RCS Real Estate Advisors has been tapped to reshape the brand’s store footprint, securing more than 800 finalized leases with the potential to expand to 950 locations across major U.S. and Canadian markets. Once weighed down by bankruptcy and growing competition from online players like Shein and Temu, Claire’s is now positioning itself for a fresh chapter—preserving jobs, revitalizing stores, and modernizing its brand for the next generation of shoppers.