On October 15, 2026, it was reported, Nordstrom expanded its partnership with FAO Schwarz for the holiday season by featuring a selection of toys from the company at every Nordstrom location, according to a Monday press release. Nordstrom also debuted a new in-store mode for its mobile app, allowing customers to use an interactive map helping them to find what they're looking for. The company's app also features a new AI-backed "Request a Look" feature enabling shoppers to receive personalized recommendations and the choice to receive one-on-one styling support from a stylist. Beginning this month, the department store is offering same-day beauty delivery in over 15 markets including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Miami and more. The retailer will also host special in-store events such as holiday breakfasts, photos with Santa and beauty-specific activations. That's on top of Nordrom's new gift edit feature in its app that highlights expert commentary on the retailer's holiday catalog and features improved filtering options. The holiday catalog returns this season highlighting over a thousand gifts. The additional work with Nordstrom adds to the iconic toy company's expansion efforts. FAO Schwarz opened an e-commerce storefront on Amazon last month and the flagship store in New York City's Rockefeller Center will include an Amazon pop-up shop offering some of the items featured on Amazon's 2026 top toy list.
On October 13, 2026, it was reported, an affiliate of South Bay International has acquired full ownership of Englander Sleep Products, consolidating U.S. production of the Englander mattress brand under Corsicana Mattress Co. and ending the brand's decades-long domestic regional licensing model. Financial details of the transitional were not disclosed. Englander Sleep Products will retain ownership of the brand, with Corsicana manufacturing Englander mattresses sold in the United States under license. The change replaces a network of independent regional manufacturers that offered their own Englander product lines, pricing and programs. Under Corsicana, the brand will have a national assortment supported by coordinated merchandising, manufacturing, logistics and marketing. Alongside the ownership change, Corsicana is introducing a new Englander collection, with shipments to retailers beginning in the fourth quarter of this year. The assortment includes new performance covers, comfort and support layers, cooling technology featuring Lumi Bands, latex support layers and sleep accessories. Production will run through Corsicana's U.S. factories in Texas, North Carolina, Connecticut and California. The company said a single delivery network, national marketing programs, displays and digital support will serve retail partners. Corsicana will provide its own product warranty for the Englander mattresses it manufactures. Englander Sleep Products will continue licensing the brand in markets across Asia, Latin America and Europe.
On August 20, 2026, it was reported, Leggett & Platt shareholders have approved the company's proposed acquisition by Somnigroup International, clearing a key hurdle in the $2.5 billion deal. Shareholders voted in favor of the merger agreement at a special shareholder meeting held today. The company said the transaction remains subject to one required regulatory approval and other remaining closing conditions. Both Leggett and Somnigroup have said they expect the transaction to close once those conditions have been satisfied. See also: Leggett CEO: Somnigroup deal 'good outcome' amid industry shift Somnigroup CEO: $2.5B Leggett deal to speed innovation, cut costs In April, Somnigroup announced its agreement to acquire Leggett & Platt in an all-stock transaction that would bring one of the bedding industry's largest component suppliers under the same corporate umbrella as Tempur Sealy, Mattress Firm and other Somnigroup businesses. Under terms of the agreement, Leggett & Platt shareholders will receive 0.1455 shares of Somnigroup common stock for each share of Leggett & Platt common stock they own. Upon completion of the transaction, Leggett & Platt shareholders are expected to own approximately 9% of the combined company on a fully diluted basis. The shareholder vote follows the June expiration of the 30-day waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, another regulatory milestone for the transaction, in June. Once the merger closes, Leggett & Platt is expected to operate as a separate business unit within Somnigroup and maintain its headquarters in Carthage, Mo. Somnigroup owns Tempur-Pedic, Sealy and Stearns & Foster and is the parent company of Mattress Firm.
On August 14, 2026, it was reported, Dillard's Q2 retail sales rose less than 1% year on year to $1.5 billion, with comps up 1%, the company said Thursday. Women's accessories and lingerie sales rose significantly; home rose moderately; and shoes, beauty and men's rose slightly. Sales of children's, juniors and women's apparel fell moderately. The bottom line got a boost from $37.2 million in tariff refunds, which furnished 260 of the 280 basis-point gross margin increase. Gross margin reached 40.9%, and net income, including proceeds from real estate sales, rose 34% to $97.7 million. Dillard's may not have made many more sales compared to a year ago, but it avoided discounts, kept its customers close and, according to GlobalData research, took market share from rival department stores. "Our 1% sales increase points to a somewhat resilient consumer," CEO William Dillard said in a statement. The 1% comp increase beat expectations from UBS analysts, who had expected flat comps. The UBS Evidence Lab's pricing analysis found Dillard's discounting flat year on year. Protecting price did leave some clothes on racks, though, as customers have grown more choosy in an environment defined by rising gas and grocery costs. Inventory at quarter end was up 5% year over year. Some sales of children's apparel probably did go to value retailers, however, Saunders said in emailed comments. Still, margins benefited, as gross margin expanded even without accounting for tariff refunds. The inventory pile-up reflects the tightrope retailers are walking at a time when consumers and retailers both face rising costs.
