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It’s been another week with far more retail news than there is time in the day. Below, we break down some things you may have missed during the week and what we’re still thinking about.
From the cleanest Halloween costume to At Home’s latest collection, here’s our closeout for the week.
What you may have missed
Real Simple brings an exclusive collection to At Home
Real Simple on Wednesday announced it launched an exclusive home collection at At Home. The collection will initially feature 270 products, including organizational essentials, kitchen and entertaining items and laundry and closet products.
More products will continue to roll out on Nov. 1, including waste bins and bath accessories, and the brand plans to expand into more categories next year. The collection is available in all At Home stores as well as its website.
“Over the last 18 months, we worked closely with the Real Simple team to bring thoughtful design and style to everyday essentials,” said Kristian Lazzaro, chief design officer for At Home. “This new collection is all about making your life easier and more beautiful with fresh, functional solutions for all areas of the home as you get ready to host for the holidays.”
The announcement comes just three months after At Home filed for bankruptcy, citing a number of challenges, including the pandemic, supply chain disruptions, inflation and tariffs. The retailer, which operated about 260 stores at the time of its bankruptcy filing, has been closing stores in recent months. The retailer’s footprint now stands at 229, according to Wednesday’s announcement.
Muji launches into skin care
Image courtesy of Muji
Japanese retailer Muji announced this week that it is entering into the beauty space with its new range, Booster. Products are made from 100% natural ingredients and include a serum and lotion, according to a company announcement sent to Retail Dive. Items will be available in stores and online starting Friday.
Foot Locker North America names a chief merchant
Michelle Wang, previously the general manager of Kids Foot Locker, is now the chief merchant of both Foot Locker and Kids Foot Locker, according to the executive’s LinkedIn. Wang served as general manager for almost two years and prior to that spent more than 15 years at Macy’s.
The move comes as Dick’s Sporting Goods is building out an executive team to lead Foot Locker following the close of their merger earlier this month. As part of the deal, Foot Locker CEO Mary Dillon, President Frank Bracken and other members of the executive team left.
Retail therapy
A spooky sponge for Halloween
Spirit Halloween and cleaning supplies brand Scrub Daddy have teamed up for limited edition Scrub Daddy and Scrub Mommy costumes.
The Scrub Daddy costume.
Courtesy of Sponge Daddy, Spirit Halloween
The sponge-themed costumes are available on the Halloween retailer’s website for $49.99, per a Tuesday press release. The Scrub Daddy brand is also releasing a special creepy clown themed sponge for the holiday.
“Scrub Daddy has grown from a household cleaning essential into a cultural phenomenon, and now fans can elevate their love for the brand by stepping right into character this Halloween season,” Aaron Krause, CEO of Scrub Daddy, said in a statement.
What we’re still thinking about
16
That’s how many years it’s been since retailers pulled back on seasonal hiring the way they’re expected to for the 2025 holidays, according to research from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
This year the firm expects retailers to fill fewer than 500,000 positions in the final quarter, the smallest seasonal increase since 2009. Back then, the Great Recession had the industry in defense mode. These days, retailers are grappling with the higher cost of goods due to tariffs at the same time that consumers are facing financial worries like rising unemployment and slowed hiring, also in part due to tariffs.
What we’re watching
Arc’teryx’s growth plans
High-end outdoors brand Arc’teryx has high expectations for its sales growth over the next five years. CEO Stuart Haselden said on an investor’s day call last week that he expects the brand to reach $5 billion in top-line sales by 2030. That’s compared to $2 billion the brand netted last year.
“We do not see a direct competitor for Arc’teryx in how we’re positioned,” Haselden said, adding that the brand is taking share in the luxury and premium outerwear segment and in the athletic footwear and apparel market more broadly.
While $5 billion is Arc’teryx’s next sales target, it’s not the ceiling, according to Haselden. “The potential of this brand is well beyond that,” the executive said. “It’s a compelling growth story.”
How the brand is planning to get there includes leaning into store growth and staying rooted in performance. Arc’teryx, which transitioned from an 80% wholesale business to an 80% DTC business from 2020 to 2024, is planning to double its 150-store count to 300 by 2030. Long term, Arc’teryx could have 500 or 600 stores globally, according to Haselden.
What it isn’t doing is expanding too far beyond its core. “The world does not need Arc’teryx to make athleisure products,” Haselden said.