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Walmart installs Symbotic SymMicro in-store system

Symbotic has begun installing its first SymMicro e‑commerce fulfillment system in the back of a Walmart store, progressing the 2025 commercial arrangement between the two companies. Symbotic CEO Richard Cohen said the system should "come to life" in about six months and that a second site will follow; he declined to disclose the store location. The SymMicro uses autonomous mobile robots (SymBots) to retrieve totes and deliver them to pick stations, supports about 550 picks per hour per station, and is being initially "overbuilt" before being redesigned to smaller, more efficient versions. The deployment is part of a broader deal in which Symbotic acquired Walmart's advanced systems and robotics business and Walmart made a contingent promise to purchase 400 automated systems.

Nike closes neighborhood Nike Live/Well Collective stores

Nike has permanently closed its original Melrose Nike Live location and at least 14 other small-format neighborhood stores across the U.S., the company confirmed. The localized stores — launched as Nike Live in 2018 and rebranded as Nike Well Collective in 2023 — have shuttered in states including California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina and Texas. Nike framed the moves as part of an ongoing evaluation of its physical footprint and Nike Direct strategy; CEO Elliott Hill said the company is elevating some stores, discounting less online and will continue rezoning and closing locations that don’t align to strategy. Nike also recently collaborated with Foot Locker on a neighborhood-focused store concept.

Target Q2 Sales Rise; Beauty, Hardlines Lead

Target reported second-quarter net sales of $26.5 billion, up 5.3% year-over-year, with comparable sales up 3.8% and traffic rising 3.6%. Net earnings improved to nearly $1.9 billion. Merchandise sales increased 5% and non-merchandise sales grew 20%, with the strongest category performance in hardlines, beauty and food & beverage. Target raised its full-year net sales guidance to around 5% and disclosed a 27% jump in capital expenditures to $1.4 billion driven by store remodels and 17 new store openings. The company also finalized the end of its shop-in-shop partnership with Ulta Beauty and plans to reveal its own Beauty Studio concept in Q3.