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It\u2019s 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\u2019re still thinking about.\u00a0<\/p>\n
From Petco\u2019s 60th anniversary to the future of Outdoor Voices, here\u2019s our closeout for the week.<\/p>\n
What you may have missed\u00a0<\/h3>\n J. McLaughlin names CEO<\/em><\/p>\nApparel brand J. McLaughlin this week named Greg Unis\u00a0chief executive officer. Unis had been serving as interim CEO since March.<\/p>\n
\u201cGreg\u2019s passion for design and brand-building make him the right leader for this pivotal moment,\u201d Kevin McLaughlin, co-founder of J. McLaughlin, said in a statement. \u201cHe understands what makes J. McLaughlin special and brings a fresh perspective to help us further engage with our customers and stay true to our roots.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prior to J. McLaughlin, Unis served as president of Victoria\u2019s Secret and Pink. He has also held senior executive roles at Coach, Brooks Brothers and Gap Inc.<\/p>\n
Staples expands partnership with Verizon<\/em><\/p>\nStaples and Verizon have expanded their partnership, bringing the phone and internet carrier\u2019s kiosks to 35 Staples stores.<\/p>\n
The initiative marks the start of a broader effort to bring \u201cmore wireless and tech services to Staples customers this year,\u201d the companies said in their announcement Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt Staples, we\u2019re focused on bringing in the right partners to deliver even more value to our customers and this collaboration with Verizon does exactly that,\u201d Marshall Warkentin, president of Staples U.S. Retail, said in a statement. \u201cTogether, we\u2019re making essential wireless services more accessible for small businesses and everyday shoppers in the communities we serve.\u201d<\/p>\n
The stores will open on a rolling basis through mid-August, with additional locations opening later in the year.<\/p>\n
Tillys names a new CEO<\/em><\/p>\nYouth apparel company Tillys announced that, effective Aug. 18, Nate Smith will step into the role of president, chief executive officer and director. Current CEO Hezy Shaked will transition to the executive chairman role also on that date, per a company press release.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Smith joins the company from Marolina Outdoor, where he served as CEO. He also has leadership experience at Boardriders, Oakley and Patagonia, among other companies.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTillys has had a strong track record of success over its 43-year history, and I am excited to work with Hezy, the Board and the team to revitalize and build upon that history,\u201d Smith said in a statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Retail therapy<\/h3>\n IHOP enters the Dubai chocolate ring<\/em><\/p>\nPistachio shortage? If that\u2019s the case, IHOP hasn\u2019t gotten the memo. The famous breakfast foods chain is debuting two limited-edition Dubai chocolate-flavored pancake stacks on Monday in New York City, Los Angeles and Austin.<\/p>\n
The first 25 guests will get the luxe Dubai chocolate pancake stack for free, featuring Madagascar vanilla whipped cream, a whole Dubai chocolate bar, edible 24K gold flakes and gold glitter. After that, guests can purchase a scaled-down version for $13, per a Wednesday press release.<\/p>\n
No, you wear it on your head<\/em><\/p>\nIn Prada\u2019s latest attempt to offer products to people who have more money than common sense, the fashion house is offering a cat basket and passing it off as a hat. The Straw Visor Cap currently sells on Saks Fifth Avenue for $2,800.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If you aren\u2019t vibing<\/span> with the lampshade-on-your-head look, definitely pick up the company\u2019s holey Leather Visor for a lot less ($1,790) or a more traditional cotton baseball cap for $895.<\/p>\n\n\n
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\nIs it a lampshade? Is it a hat? Can it be both?<\/p>\n
Retrieved from Saks Fifth Avenue on July 30, 2025<\/div>\n
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What we\u2019re still thinking about<\/h3>\n 12.6%<\/em><\/p>\nThat\u2019s how much Purple’s second quarter net revenue declined year over year.<\/p>\n
The mattress company attributed the drop to \u201cdelays in the timing of Rejuvenate 2.0 shipments, lapping reductions in wholesale door count from 2024, and softness in ecommerce.\u201d Still, executives sounded upbeat on the full year, reiterating guidance and saying on an earnings call Tuesday that the brand expects its showrooms to become profitable in 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n
60<\/em><\/p>\nThat\u2019s how old Petco is this year. The retailer, a brick-and-mortar stalwart, started off as a veterinary supply mail-order business. Acquiring two pet-supply rivals in 1988 tripled its store footprint, and its expansion continued well into the 21st century. More recently, the chain has struggled, though, and it\u2019s now pursuing a turnaround under new leadership.<\/p>\n
For its anniversary this month, Petco is hosting tastings, promotions and adoption events, including a birthday party Aug. 16 at stores nationwide. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. local time, pets and their families get various treats, with gift bags going to the first 60 customers. The festivities culminate on Aug. 26, National Dog Day, with special deals and an Instagram giveaway\u00a0for a chance to win a Petco shopping spree.\u00a0<\/p>\n
What we\u2019re watching<\/h3>\n The return of Outdoor Voices<\/em><\/p>\nAfter an abrupt closure of its store footprint last year and a sale to Consortium Brand Partners, Outdoor Voices is back with new product and its old founder. Ty Haney has rejoined the brand as founder, owner and partner, and led the nine-month-long design process of the brand\u2019s new collection, launching next week.<\/p>\n
The move has already sparked plenty of discourse about what Outdoor Voices will accomplish this time around, with fans peppering the brand\u2019s Instagram with comments about which products to bring back and general excitement for the reveal. Many also praised the return of Haney herself, who left the brand in 2020 under tumultuous circumstances.<\/p>\n
But it\u2019s not all exercise dress bliss. The brand\u2019s posts have also become home to customers airing grievances about certain style changes in the new collection \u2014 including a sweater with a sparkly \u201cDoing Things\u201d bedazzled on the front \u2014 as well as complaints about limited sizing and months-old order mishaps.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With Haney back at the helm and the deeper resources of a parent company, can Outdoor Voices regain its spot in activewear shoppers\u2019 closets?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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