A whopping 87% of people now make at least half their purchases with the click of a button, a new study by Narvar found. Nearly half say they shop online every single week. But all those online orders mean one thing - lots and lots of returns. Last year, shoppers sent back $743 billion worth of stuff they bought online, the National Retail Federation reports. That's more than the entire GDP of Switzerland!

Loblaw Companies Ltd., Canada's biggest grocery chain, is trying something new to help you save money. A new ultra-discount store concept called "No Name," based on Loblaw’s low-cost brand, opened in LaSalle, Ontario. Two more stores are coming soon in St. Catharines and Brockville. “No Name” aims to cut prices by up to 20% on everyday groceries and household essentials

Last month, Foot Locker Inc. reopened its flagship store at 112 W 34th St. in New York City, as part of new retail plans. The store introduced "Home Court," a basketball-focused shopping area created with Nike and Jordan Brand. The updated store offers a basketball-themed shopping experience. It combines customer service with the newest products for use on and off the court from several brands.

Sprouts Farmers Market has its foot firmly on the growth pedal isn't slowing down anytime soon. Sprouts has over 110 approved locations about to open, ready to bring its natural and organic offerings to more communities across the country. The company will open 21 stores between now and December, which fits with their main goal of opening 35 new stores by fiscal's year end.

Spirit Halloween is gearing up for its biggest spooky season yet, planning to open 1,525 stores across the U.S. and Canada for the 2024 season. This will beat the previous year's record by 25 stores. Over 1,100 of their shops have already “risen from the dead”, with the rest set to open by the end of September. According to the company, the expansion is about "answering the growing consumer demand for all things Halloween."

Texas-born Buc-ee's is changing the way people think about gas stations and convenience stores. This chain is known for its huge stores along highways, some with over 100 fuel pumps. With its funny billboard ads, award-winning clean bathrooms, and branded items Buc-ee’s is hard to miss. The company wants people to actually plan to stop at Buc-ee's during road trips, not just go there as a last resort. And it's working - the chain has a huge fan base, with Facebook groups dedicated to Buc-ee's having hundreds of thousands of members.

Princess Polly, the trendy Gen Z-loved clothing brand, plans to open five new stores in late 2024 in the U.S. The Australian brand wants to build on the success of its first American location, which opened last year in Westfield Century City in LA. "Our U.S. customers have fully embraced our first Princess Polly store in Los Angeles, and we are excited to expand into new cities on the West and East coasts," said Eirin Bryett, co-CEO of Princess Polly.

Sheetz Inc., the Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain, is making big moves in the Motor City. The company announced plans to open four more locations across metro Detroit, weeks before opening its first Michigan location. The first Michigan Sheetz will open its doors in late summer at 33380 Wick Road in Romulus. More locations are planned for Taylor, Warren, and Macomb Township, each employing around 30 people, mostly full-time.

Ace Hardware is reimagining itself with a new store concept. The home improvement retailer plans to invest over $1 billion in the next five years to roll out "Elevate Ace" across new and existing locations. The revamped stores will feature brand showrooms, expanded product lines, and enhanced customer service. Some locations will even boast outdoor spaces with live plant displays. Ace gave retailers a sneak peek at the concept during its recent Chicago convention. While a few stores will debut the new look later this year, the full rollout begins in January.

Daiso, the beloved Japanese retailer known for its variety of affordable household goods, is expanding further in the U.S. market. This week, the company is celebrating the grand openings of three new stores in Texas and California. On Saturday, Aug. 10, Daiso debuted an 8,000-sq.-ft. location in Beaumont, Texas, at Dowlen Towne Center, as well as two Southern California stores - a 6,319-sq.-ft. space in Van Nuys at Mid Valley Marketplace and a 5,200-sq.-ft. store in Westminster at Westminster Center.