Retail & Consumer Goods Industry

Irving, Texas – September 16, 2026 -- Michaels plans to hire more than 10,000 seasonal Team Members across the U.S. and Canada, with National Hiring Day events set for Saturday, September 12, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. local time at all store locations.

Nearly half of last year's seasonal hires converted to permanent roles

Michaels reported that nearly 50% of seasonal in-store positions transitioned into regular roles following the 2025 holiday season, creating pathways into store leadership and Support Center teams. The company operates over 1,300 stores across 49 U.S. states and Canada.

Candidates can apply online or interview in person during the hiring event

Applicants may submit applications in advance through Careers.Michaels.com or attend in-store events on September 12, where qualified candidates will be interviewed on the spot.

NEW YORK – September 16, 2026 -- Intrinsic Advanced Materials is widening commercial deployment of its CiCLO® fiber technology into home and hospitality textiles through new collaborations with ADVANSA and HeiQ Materials AG, ahead of a joint activation with Lonely Whale during NYC Climate Week on Sept. 21-22.

ADVANSA integrates CiCLO into its premium Suprelle fiberfill line

ADVANSA is launching Suprelle® fiberfill made with CiCLO fibers for bedding, home and hospitality applications, embedding the microplastic-persistence-reduction technology into an established fiberfill portfolio built around comfort attributes such as cooling, down-like feel, loft retention and moisture management. Jean-Christophe Rouyer, head of global business development at ADVANSA, said the addition lets customers differentiate Suprelle products without altering core fiberfill performance.

Birmingham, Ala. – September 15, 2026 -- Tom Beckbe, the Birmingham-based outdoor apparel maker, has secured a minority investment from Cox Outdoors, the newest division of Cox Enterprises.

Cox Enterprises Backs Family-Run Outdoor Brand

Cox Outdoors was created to partner with leading outdoor consumer brands, targeting conservation initiatives and long-term generational growth rather than short-term returns. Alex Taylor, chairman and CEO of Cox Enterprises, said the partnership reflects shared family values and a conservation ethic between the two companies.

Founders Retain Control, Team and Operations

Tom Beckbe was founded in 2015 by Radcliff and Mary Menge and will continue to be independently run by its founders with the same team and values. Radcliff Menge, co-founder, said the Cox partnership will allow the company to deepen its focus on product quality, customer service and conservation support.

Lebanon, Ind. – September 15, 2026 -- SHEIN opened a new 737,000-square-foot automated fulfillment facility in Lebanon, Indiana, expanding its statewide footprint to more than 2.5 million square feet and adding hundreds of new jobs to a workforce already exceeding 1,300 Hoosiers.

New facility deploys goods-to-person automation to boost fulfillment capacity

The Lebanon site, located roughly 1.5 miles from SHEIN's existing Indiana operations, is scheduled to begin operations this month. The facility uses a goods-to-person fulfillment system designed to strengthen SHEIN's U.S. logistics network as the company scales order volumes across its online fashion and lifestyle business.

Elmhurst – September 15, 2026 -- Saltbox will open its first Chicago-area co-warehousing facility this fall in Elmhurst, Illinois, adding a 114-suite operations hub to its 13-location U.S. network and launching a $5,000 grant for a local product-based business.

Elmhurst facility gives Chicago-area businesses 114 flexible warehouse and office suites

The facility at 934 N. Church Rd. offers suites ranging from 88 to 1,809 square feet, with smaller units holding roughly four pallets for one or two people and larger suites accommodating up to 125 pallets for full fulfillment teams. Members get month-to-month access to loading docks, daily carrier pickups, conference rooms, a content studio, 24/7 security and an on-site operations team that receives inventory and supports carrier handoffs.

Los Angeles – September 15, 2026 -- Youth financial independence in the United States dropped to 34.9% in 2026 from 41.3% a year earlier, according to the second annual Youth Report released by specialty retailer Pacsun and data and analytics firm GlobalData. The share of young people who say they fully rely on their parents rose to 29.1% from 23.8% over the same period.

The report, based on a June 2026 survey of 6,126 people ages 11 to 24 across the U.S., identifies what Pacsun terms the "Drawbridge Generation" -- Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers who are pulling back from public digital noise toward smaller circles of trusted family and friends.

Influencer trust never exceeds 11% share across any category measured

Family and friends dominate every trust metric tracked, from financial advice to purchase decisions, while influencers top out at an 11% trust share. Only 2% of respondents said they trust AI for fashion advice.

Bangkok – September 15, 2026 -- Central Pattana's Central Park Shopping Centre logged more than 25 million visits in its first year of operation, including over 10 million from international tourists, ranking the property among the top-tier performers in the developer's retail portfolio.

Central Park Bangkok marks first anniversary with new global brand strategy

To mark the milestone, Central Pattana unveiled "Bangkok's World Stage,

Delray Beach, Fla. – September 15, 2026 -- The global molded pulp packaging market is projected to grow from $8.02 billion in 2026 to $10.82 billion by 2031, a 6.2% compound annual growth rate, according to MarketsandMarkets.

E-commerce and plastic-reduction rules drive fiber packaging demand

Rising e-commerce volumes are fueling demand for protective molded pulp inserts and cushioning for fragile goods, while corporate sustainability mandates push brands toward fiber-based alternatives to plastic and foam. Improved recycling of paper and agricultural fibers is expanding the raw-material base for manufacturers.

SINGAPORE – September 15, 2026 -- UROVO has launched two new retail hardware products, the SP35 Personal Shopper and U100 Price Checker, designed to extend self-service capabilities beyond fixed kiosks to more points across the shop floor.

UROVO targets staffing pressure with mobile and shelf-side devices

The enterprise mobility and AIDC solutions provider unveiled the two purpose-built units as retailers face rising pressure to deliver convenient in-store experiences with leaner store teams. The SP35 is a mobile device intended to let shoppers navigate the store independently, while the U100 is a fixed shelf-side unit for product and pricing lookups.

Irvine, Calif. – – September 15, 2026 -- Performance Brokerage Services has brokered the sale of Mansfield Motor Group, a three-rooftop Nissan, Honda and Volvo dealership group in Mansfield, Ohio, from Dirk Schulter and Brett Schulter to Penuel "Raj" Clement of Clement Auto Group.

Family-owned dealership group founded in 1947 changes hands after four generations

Mansfield Motor Group traces its roots to Whitey's Auto Mall, established by Frank "Whitey" Schluter and recognized as one of the early pioneers of the multi-franchise auto mall model. Brothers Dirk and Brett Schluter took ownership in 2001 and led the 79-year-old business until this sale.