Weekly Roundup: New Brands Arrive at The Container Store and Toys 'R' Us Stages a Revival Attempt
Unbridled Weekly Retail Roundup
Let's dive into the exhilarating world of retail news, where the unexpected and the bizarre meet the ordinary. Welcome to our unfiltered, unapologetic rundown of this week's retail happenings!
From luxury consignment to maternitywear collaborations, here's what you might've missed and what's still lingering in our minds.
The Week in Retail
Saks and The RealReal team up for a pop-up heaven
Saks and The RealReal have partnered to launch a pop-up store in Miami, running from November 26 to February 28. The collaboration will offer customers complimentary valuations, consignment appointments, and a $100 Saks gift card to first-time consignors. This joint venture aims to expand the sustainable shopping experience and bring more people into the circular economy[1].
A Pea in the Pod teams up with Something Navy for a glamorous maternity collection
A Pea in the Pod joined forces with fashion media company Something Navy to create a maternity holiday collection. Dresses, jumpsuits, and jogger sets make up the range, promising a touch of glamour and femininity to expectant moms. The collaboration is available online and at Something Navy's New York City store[2].
The Container Store's grand expansion
The Container Store has added new vendor partners, including Cricut, The Home Edit, DTC cleaning brand Blueland, Food 52's Five Two brand, and The Laundress. New products have been introduced as a result, with more to come, including The Laundress's Way Out West scent developed with John Mayer[3].
Proactiv rebrands to Alchemee and broadens its skincare horizons
Proactiv has announced its rebrand as Alchemee, expanding its product offerings beyond acne solutions to address other common issues such as discoloration, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea. Restorative Elements and In Defense of Skin arelisted as "coming soon" on the company's website[4].
A new union vote looms over Amazon's Bessemer, Alabama warehouse
The National Labor Relations Board has ordered a new election at Amazon's Bessemer, Alabama warehouse in light of allegations of union interference during the original vote, which took place in April and resulted in a failed unionization effort. Amazon is none too pleased with the decision[5].
PetSmart and Microsoft join the ugly sweater game
A match made in PetSmart brings pet parents and their pets closer with a custom embroidered sweater set. Unfortunately, all of the sweaters have been snatched up. Microsoft has also sold out of its Minesweeper-themed ugly sweater, proving that ugly sweaters can be a profitable business[6].
Sightings and Speculations
An imminent return of Toys "R" Us?
Rumors abound that Toys "R" Us is planning a brick-and-mortar comeback with a new two-story flagship store in New Jersey's American Dream mall. With features like a two-story slide and ice cream parlor, the store continues to captivate the public[7]. Time will tell if this comeback can sustain itself and compete with the ever-evolving retail landscape.
As for Amazon, the tech giant is grappling with another union vote, and it remains to be seen what the outcome will be. One thing is certain, though: Amazon will continue to empower its employees to make their voices heard and improve their work conditions.
Stay tuned for next week's retail rollercoaster ride!
Enrichment Data:- The new Toys "R" Us brick-and-mortar store at New Jersey’s American Dream mall is currently open and operational. Recent social media posts from June 2025 indicate ongoing events and promotions, such as an upcoming “ULTIMATE Play Day,” suggesting active engagement with customers and regular store activities[1][4].- The store, noted as a flagship location for the revived Toys "R" Us brand, continues to serve as a prominent attraction within the American Dream shopping and entertainment complex[3][4].- However, some visitor reviews highlight concerns about pricing and customer experience, including reports of toys being sold at significantly higher prices than available elsewhere[5]. Despite these critiques, the store remains a key destination within the mall, hosting themed events and new product launches throughout the year[1][2].
- The partnership between Saks and The RealReal aims to promote sustainable shopping and expand the circular economy, as they launch a pop-up store offering valuations and consignment appointments, with a gift card incentive for first-time consignors.
- A Pea in the Pod, in collaboration with Something Navy, has introduced a maternity holiday collection that includes dresses, jumpsuits, and jogger sets, promising a glamorous touch for expectant mothers.
- The Container Store has expanded its product offerings by partnering with new vendors, such as Cricut, The Home Edit, and Food 52's Five Two brand. New products have been introduced, with more to come, including a scent developed with John Mayer.
- Proactiv has rebranded as Alchemee, broadening its skincare offerings to address issues such as discoloration, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea, with Restorative Elements and In Defense of Skin listed as "coming soon."
- A new union vote is pending at Amazon's Bessemer, Alabama warehouse, following allegations of union interference during the previous vote. The outcome of this vote remains uncertain.
- PetSmart and Microsoft have each sold out of their custom ugly sweater sets, demonstrating that this holiday trend can be a lucrative business. Rumors swirl about a potential return of Toys "R" Us, with a two-story flagship store at New Jersey’s American Dream mall that features a two-story slide and ice cream parlor, though concerns about pricing and customer experience have been raised by some visitors.
