Nordstrom vs SHEIN

Rent the Runway Appoints Paige Thomas as CEO

Rent the Runway has promoted Chief Commercial Officer Paige Thomas to CEO, effective Monday. Thomas, a Nordstrom alum, succeeds interim CEO Teri Bariquit, who becomes non-executive board chair. The announcement came as the company released Q2 results showing sales growth and narrowed losses. Total revenue rose nearly 21% year-over-year to $97.7 million, while active subscribers declined to 140,826. Gross margin expanded to 36.1%, and net loss shrank to $12.9 million. Thomas aims to accelerate the company's transformation rather than change direction.

• Paige Thomas promoted to CEO of Rent the Runway, effective Monday.
• Teri Bariquit, former interim CEO, appointed non-executive board chair.
• Q2 total revenue rose nearly 21% year-over-year to $97.7 million.

Nordstrom Rack to Open New Location in Cypress, Texas

Nordstrom Rack to Open New Location in Cypress, Texas (September 1, 2026) and Nordstrom Rack to Open New Location in Glen Allen, Virginia (August 27, 2026) added to press releases.

Nordstrom Rack to Open New Location in Cypress, Texas

Nordstrom Rack to Open New Location in Cypress, Texas (September 1, 2026) and Nordstrom Rack to Open New Location in Glen Allen, Virginia (August 27, 2026) were added to the Featured Releases section.

Greenpeace Protests Shein Pop-Up Store in Berlin

Greenpeace activists protested outside a new Shein pop-up store in Berlin, symbolically blocking the entrance with banners and tape. The protest targets Shein's fast-fashion business model, focusing on overproduction, chemical contamination, and growing textile waste. Greenpeace criticized the pop-up as a marketing tool for Shein's online business and called for stricter EU regulations on product safety and producer responsibility. They highlighted past findings of PFAS and phthalates above EU limits in Shein products, though they did not provide new lab results for current items. The organization also criticized current import rules for non-EU direct shipments and cited France's stricter regulations on ultra-fast fashion as a model. The protest is part of a broader campaign for legislative changes to reduce overproduction and promote repair and second-hand models.

• Greenpeace activists protested outside Shein's new Berlin pop-up store on September 17, 2026.
• Shein recently launched on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange about two weeks prior.
• Greenpeace previously found PFAS and phthalates above EU limits in Shein products.

Primark expands e-commerce, launches home delivery in UK

Primark, traditionally a store-only fashion retailer, is expanding its e-commerce operations. The company plans to introduce home delivery in the UK, marking a strategic shift towards online retail. CEO George Weston announced the move, positioning it as an opportunity for additional and profitable growth. Primark will leverage a highly automated fulfillment center in Sheffield, UK, to handle individual deliveries. This expansion comes as the company faces economic pressure, with expected like-for-like sales decline of 2.6% in FY2026, though UK sales are projected to grow 2%. The move intensifies competition with fast-fashion rivals like Shein and Temu. Additionally, parent company Associated British Foods (ABF) plans to separate Primark from its food businesses by December 2027.

• Primark will launch home delivery service in the UK.
• CEO George Weston announced expansion of digital activities including click-and-collect and home delivery.
• Primark acquired a highly automated fulfillment center in Sheffield, UK, for online orders.

Shein plans more acquisitions, tests with Everlane deal

Chinese fast-fashion retailer Shein is preparing a broader acquisition strategy to expand its international brand platform. The planned acquisition of US brand Everlane for $80 million is seen as a test case, with the company seeking deals across different price segments. Shein plans to integrate Everlane with its supply chain, logistics, and customer base while keeping the brand independent. The deal is still pending regulatory review by CFIUS. Shein's 'Xcelerator' program will provide partner brands access to its production, warehousing, and distribution infrastructure. With about $15 billion in liquid assets plus $1.74 billion raised from its recent IPO, Shein has significant financial capacity for further acquisitions. However, the company reported a net loss of $99 million for the quarter ending March 31, 2026, compared to a profit of $395 million a year earlier.

• Shein plans to acquire US fashion brand Everlane for $80 million as a test for broader acquisition strategy.
• Shein holds approximately $15 billion in liquid assets and raised $1.74 billion from its recent IPO.
• The Everlane acquisition is pending review by CFIUS for national security implications.