retailers

Secaucus, N.J. —The Vitamin Shoppe®, an omnichannel specialty retailer of nutritional products, has opened a new Innovation Store on the Upper East Side of New York City, located at 157 East 86th St. between Lexington and Third avenues. The new store brings The Vitamin Shoppe’s innovation-forward design format to one of the city’s most vibrant retail corridors. This location is the first to introduce Shoppe Advisor, The Vitamin Shoppe’s AI-powered, interactive discovery tool designed to enhance in-store education, engagement and personalization. Via a digital touchscreen, Shoppe Advisor provides instant access …

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Orem, Utah — Bricks & Minifigs, an authorized LEGO® reseller specializing in buying, trading and selling LEGO® products, surpassed 300 stores in 2025. Through its buy, sell and trade model, each location gives unused LEGO items a second life with new builders, demonstrating the company’s continued success as a franchise-driven, in-person retailer. Since 2023, Bricks & Minifigs has opened 150 stores, marking one of the most accelerated periods of growth in its history. “When I first joined Bricks & Minifigs as CEO in 2018, we had just 35 franchisees operating, …

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Kearney, Neb. — The Buckle, Inc. has announced that Kari G. Smith and Michelle M. Hoffman will retire from their respective positions as executive vice president of stores and senior vice president of sales effective Feb. 13, 2026. Smith will also step down from service on the company’s board of directors on the same date. Smith and Hoffman have been a key part of building Buckle’s store experience while developing a culture of leadership and service to teammates and guests. Smith began working for Buckle in May 1978 as a …

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Seattle — Amazon has unveiled plans to close its Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh physical stores, converting various locations into Whole Foods Market stores. The Seattle-based e-commerce giant states that it hasn’t “yet created a truly distinctive customer experience with the right economic model needed for large-scale expansion.” Customers can continue to shop Amazon Fresh online in available areas for delivery. At the same time, Amazon plans to open more than 100 new Whole Foods Market stores over the next few years, citing increased investment in “physical stores that are …

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Irvine, Calif. — Boot Barn, the largest western and workwear retailer in the nation, has opened its 500th store, located in Huntington Beach, Calif. The milestone location represents a symbolic return to the area as the very first Boot Barn store opened its doors in Huntington Beach in 1978. From that single storefront, Boot Barn has expanded its nationwide presence to 500 stores in 49 states. “We’re proud and honored to be returning to our roots with the opening of our Huntington Beach store,” says John Hazen, CEO of Boot …

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Orland Park, Ill. — Amazonx has unveiled plans to open a first-of-its-kind retail store in the southern Chicago suburb of Orland Park. The planned brick-and-mortar store will occupy the long-vacant site of the former Petey’s II restaurant at the southwest corner of 159th Street and LaGrange Road. The Orland Park Village Board approved the project at its Jan. 19 meeting. Amazon’s plans call for a one-story building of approximately 230,000 square feet that will offer groceries, household essentials and general merchandise. The store would function similarly to a large-format retailer …

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Bolingbrook, Ill. — Ulta Beauty, the largest specialty beauty retailer in the United States, is set to make its debut in the United Arab Emirates with the opening of its store in Mall of the Emirates on Jan. 29, 2026 in partnership with Alshaya Group, one of the world’s leading international retail franchise operators. Marking a major milestone in Ulta Beauty’s global expansion building on from the first store opening in Kuwait on Nov. 7, 2025, the Mall of the Emirates opening will be closely followed by new Ulta Beauty …

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Seattle — Seattle-based fashion retailer Nordstrom, Inc. plans to relocate its Nordstrom Rack in downtown Seattle to 601 Pine St. The new store is scheduled to open in spring 2027. “We’re excited to welcome customers to our beautiful new downtown Seattle location, which features convenient street access and an enhanced shopping experience,” says Gemma Lionello, president of Nordstrom Rack. “Seattle has been our company’s home for more than a century, and we’re proud to continue serving this community with our selection of great brands at great prices. Customers can also …

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Seattle — Over the past year, REI Co-op took meaningful steps to reduce its impact on the planet. This work reflects REI’s climate strategy, bringing cooperative action together to drive change with speed and scale. “When companies come together, climate action becomes more real and more lasting,” says Andrew Dempsey, director of sustainability, REI Co-op. “We’re grateful for the partners who’ve helped make this work possible. We’re focused on continuing this work and backing solutions that make a real difference for communities and help keep the outdoors healthy for the …

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Salisbury, N.C. — Food Lion plans to open four new stores across the Carolinas in early 2026. Locations include Pontiac, S.C. (opening Jan. 21); Statesville, N.C. (opening Jan. 28); Greensboro, N.C. (opening February 2026); and Simpsonville, S.C. (opening March 2026). “Each new store strengthens our ability to deliver an easy, fresh and affordable omnichannel grocery shopping experience while supporting the communities where our neighbors live, work and raise their families,” says Greg Finchum, president, Food Lion. Each new store is designed with an easy-to-shop layout, and offers an expanded assortment, …

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