Retail & Consumer Goods

Lebanon, Ind. – September 16, 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 16, 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 16, 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 16, 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 16, 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 16, 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 16, 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.

Sheridan, Wyo. – – September 16, 2026 -- The global ready-to-drink (RTD) tea market is forecast to expand from $45.0 billion in 2026 to $66.7 billion by 2031, a compound annual growth rate of 8.2%, according to a new study by Wissen Research.

Sugar-tax rules in the UK and India are forcing rapid reformulation

The UK confirmed in November 2025 it will lower the Soft Drinks Industry Levy threshold from 5g to 4.5g of sugar per 100ml, extending the tax to more pre-packaged beverages, with a January 2028 compliance deadline. In India, the GST Council raised tax on carbonated and caffeinated non-alcoholic drinks from 28% to 40% in September 2025, directly hitting sweetened, caffeinated RTD tea pricing in one of the category's largest consumption markets. More than 116 countries have now implemented sugar-sweetened beverage taxes aligned with WHO recommendations.

Scottsdale, Ariz. – September 16, 2026 -- Sparkle Grooming Co. has raised $6 million in strategic growth financing led by Companion Fund, the venture capital vehicle managed by Digitalis Ventures in partnership with Mars Petcare, as the dog grooming franchise surpasses 600 licenses awarded to multi-unit partners in just 24 months.

Franchise pipeline expands to 600 licenses in two years

The Scottsdale-based company, which created what it calls the Quick-Service Pet Care (QSPC) category, currently operates 10 salons and plans to have at least 20 open by the end of 2026. More than 30 additional salon openings are planned for 2027, with the company continuing to court select multi-unit franchise partners in priority markets.

New York – September 16, 2026 -- Veho has been named a finalist in the Logistics category of the 2026 BeautyMatter Awards, an industry recognition tied to its e-commerce delivery work for beauty and retail brands including Sephora.

Veho positions last-mile delivery as a growth driver, not a cost line

"Beauty brands obsess over every detail. E-commerce delivery deserves the same level of attention because it's one of the most tangible moments a customer has with your brand," said Catherine Dummitt, VP of Marketing at Veho. The company reports a 99% on-time delivery rate and a 4.9/5 customer satisfaction score across its retail partner base, which also includes Macy's, Lululemon, Stitch Fix and HelloFresh.