Retail & Consumer Goods

Jackson, Miss. – October 16, 2026 -- Newk's Eatery, a fast-casual brand with nearly 100 locations, has taken the No. 244 spot on the 2026 Franchise Times Top 400, which ranks the largest U.S.-based franchise systems by global systemwide sales.

Top 400 systems generated $784 billion in 2025 sales, up 4.3%

According to Franchise Times, the 400 largest U.S.-based franchise systems generated $784 billion in global sales in 2025, a 4.3% increase over the previous year. The ranking draws on company-reported data, franchise disclosure documents and other financial information.

Newk's also ranks No. 25 on Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers

Newk's was separately named No. 25 on the 2026 Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers list. The brand, founded in 2004, operates nearly 100 locations and sells sandwiches, salads, soups and pizzas.

Portland – October 16, 2026 -- The Green Sports Alliance has released its Sustainable Apparel Playbook, a guide that shows sports organizations how to cut environmental impact across the full apparel lifecycle while supporting revenue growth, cultural influence and customer satisfaction.

Case studies cover procurement, end-of-life and fan marketing

The playbook draws on professional and collegiate sports examples across product procurement, end-of-life solutions, community engagement and impact marketing. The Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix worked with its local school district on a sustainable fashion contest that reimagined outdated race suits as fashion pieces. Oakland Roots' Upcycled Fashion Project teamed with local students to create pieces from outdated jerseys and other upcycled items.

High Point, N.C. – October 16, 2026 -- LG Electronics USA is bringing three LG SIGNATURE laundry and garment-care products into Broad Hall at High Point Market (October 17–26, 2026) through a partnership with the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), targeting interior designers, architects and specifiers.

The activation, titled "Designer Closet and Hidden Laundry," is designed in collaboration with Barbour Spangle Design. It positions garment care inside custom dressing rooms, luxury closets and residential wellness spaces rather than in a conventional laundry room. LG cites OpenBrand MarketShare data (AHAM Core 6, 2024-2026) in describing itself as the number one appliance brand in the US.

Three LG SIGNATURE products anchor the Broad Hall display

The showcase features the following models:

ORLANDO – October 16, 2026 -- Jeremiah's Italian Ice moved up four spots to No. 375 on the 2026 Franchise Times Top 400, up from No. 379 in 2025, in the annual ranking of the largest U.S.-based franchise systems by global systemwide sales.

The Franchise Times list is the result of a five-month research and reporting process covering franchise brands across industries.

Jeremiah's reports 175+ locations open or in development nationwide

The frozen dessert brand was founded in 1996 and began franchising in 2019. It has built its footprint across the Southern United States. The company says its pipeline of open and in-development units stands at more than 175 locations.

CEO Michael Keller said the ranking reflects system growth and that the company is focused on building a sustainable brand that creates opportunity for franchisees.

Irvine – October 16, 2026 -- Janssen Auto Group has acquired Gregg Young Chevrolet in Plattsmouth, Nebraska, from Gregg Young Automotive Group, giving it a ninth franchised dealership in the state. Performance Brokerage Services advised on the transaction. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Janssen consolidates two Plattsmouth stores under one owner

The Chevrolet store follows Janssen's late-2025 purchase of Gregg Young Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Plattsmouth. Janssen Auto Group previously operated eight dealerships across Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Honda, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram. The Chevrolet dealership will be renamed Janssen Kuenle Chevrolet and will stay at its current location.

Owner Dave Janssen said the group is looking forward to working with the broker on its "next acquisition."

Los Angeles – October 16, 2026 -- Pacsun has generated more than $2 million for Selena Gomez's Rare Impact Fund since 2024 and will donate up to a further $300,000 from sales of its newest Rare DNM Edit, which launches October 29.

Pacsun sponsors the Rare Impact Fund Benefit for a third consecutive year

The specialty retailer was an official sponsor of the fourth annual Rare Impact Fund Benefit: A Night of Radiance & Reflection, held October 14 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. The event raised more than $2 million through live silent auctions and an evening of giving, supporting the Fund's goal of mobilizing $100 million for youth mental health services and education globally.

Pacsun hosted a gifting experience at the event. Attendees selected pieces from the upcoming holiday collection ahead of its public release.

Seattle – October 16, 2026 -- Nordstrom, Inc. will open a 51,500-square-foot Nordstrom Rack store at 2 Stockton Street in San Francisco in fall 2027, re-entering the downtown market through its off-price division.

Invesco Real Estate-owned building in Union Square will house the new store

The site is at 2 Stockton Street, San Francisco, CA 94108, in the Union Square neighborhood. Invesco Real Estate owns and manages the building.

Mayor Lurie cites downtown recovery as retailers return

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said companies were leaving the city three years ago and now want to be there. He credited efforts to make streets safer and cleaner, bring people back downtown and cut red tape. Co-CEO Erik Nordstrom said the city has built momentum in making downtown a good place for customers.

Pittsburgh – October 15, 2026 -- DICK'S (NYSE: DKS) and its Foot Locker unit expect to hire more than 11,000 seasonal teammates for the 2026 holiday season, with about 8,400 positions at DICK'S banners and roughly 2,900 at Foot Locker banners in North America.

DICK'S targets 8,400 seasonal hires across four store banners

The hiring covers DICK'S Sporting Goods, DICK'S House of Sport, Going Going Gone! and Public Lands locations. The retailer will hold its ninth-annual "National Signing Day" on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, where candidates can interview on-site and meet store leadership at participating locations. Hiring will continue until positions are filled.

New York – October 15, 2026 -- The Ad Hoc Group of Term Lenders to Leslie's, Inc. intends to appoint Steven L. Ortega as chief executive officer of the pool and spa care retailer once it emerges from chapter 11 proceedings.

Leslie's describes itself as the largest direct-to-consumer brand in the U.S. pool and spa care industry. Ortega will advise the lender group and sit on a transformation committee for the duration of the bankruptcy case. The committee will advise on strategy and turnaround priorities.

Ortega returns after nearly two decades of senior roles at Leslie's

Ortega previously worked at Leslie's for almost 20 years. He served as chief financial officer, chief operating officer, president and CEO, and later as chairman of the board of directors.

Beijing – October 15, 2026 -- Linyi Trade City, a regional commodity hub in east China's Shandong Province, has opened an international sourcing center with 324 corporate tenants. Cross-border transport costs for related goods fall by about 20 percent through the center's logistics facilities.

More than 100 foreign buyers visit on opening day

Over 100 foreign purchasers visited the center on its September 28 opening. Sales staff at a local chemical trading firm's stores received several groups of foreign buyers.

Each tenant is linked to more than 10 upstream manufacturers. The center displays building materials, machinery, hardware, personal protection gear, home goods and daily necessities in bilingual format.