Heinz and The Simpsons: Brands continue to take to malls to promote themselves. Heinz did its first pop-up Halloween store at Macerich’s Santa Monica Place in California leading up to the holiday with interactive programming like costume-making tutorials. And a replica of Moe's, the local watering hole in The Simpsons, is coming to PREIT’s Springfield Town Center in Northern Virginia. Shoppers can buy tickets that come with meals.

Meta: The social media giant, recently rebranded from Facebook to Meta, plans physical stores to introduce customers to Meta products and technology for the next era of social media, which it calls the “metaverse.” Such products would include virtual reality headsets and eventually augmented reality glasses. According to company officials, the metaverse is still five to 10 years from deployment.

Vera Bradley: The accessories brand’s socially driven, multibrand concept, GoodMrkt, is growing. The first opened in April in a former Williams Sonoma in Vera Bradley’s hometown of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Last month, the company opened a pop-up in New York City’s SoHo. The 2,500-square-foot store stocks merchandise from cookware to denim from 200 small companies whose missions support women’s empowerment, community development, elimination of poverty and hunger, environmental stewardship, sustainability, animal rescue and fighting diseases. The pop-up will remain open through January.

Timothy Oulton: The luxury British furniture, lighting and home decor accessories brand opened a 7,170-square-foot flagship, pictured at top, on Broadway in New York City’s Flatiron District. Timothy Oulton has 47 stores worldwide, including seven in the U.S.

Bed Bath & Beyond: The retailer will sell home and baby products carried by Bed Bath & Beyond through Kroger.com and through a small-scale physical store pilot at select Krogers beginning in 2022.

Allbirds: The ecofriendly sneaker brand raised $303 million with its initial public offering, giving it a market value of $2.2 billion. The company was looking to raise $269 million. The retailer recently opened its 35th store, a 3,145-square-foot space at Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, New Jersey.

Petco: The pet food and accessories retailer is incubating a premium brand aimed at Millennial dog owners. The first Reddy store opened in New York City’s SoHo and features a dog-friendly lounge, complimentary whipped cream “pup cup” treats and an adventure concierge to plan activities for owners their pets. Shoppers at the 2,000 -square-foot store can outfit their dogs in custom leashes and harnesses and get bowls, dishes and other accessories customized.  

Stop and Compare: This New England-based, Latinx-focused supermarket chain has opened a second store, in anchor space at Brixmor’s Lynn Marketplace in Massachusetts.

Studs: The earring retailer opened an “earbar” and piercing studio on Manhattan’s 78th Street between Madison and Park avenues. It’s the second New York City location for the brand, which also has a unit in Nolita. Studs also has locations in Los Angeles, on Melrose Place and at Westfield Century City; in Austin, Texas, on a streetfront and at Domain Northside; and in Boston Seaport.

American Eagle Outfitters: The teen apparel retailer will buy fulfillment operator Quiet Logistics for $350 million. The startup, which has eight fulfillment centers across the U.S., offers same-day and next-day shipping options. A mix of workers and robots complete orders.

Ikea: The home furnishings giant plans to open a pair of planning studios in spring 2022, one in 8,000 square feet in California’s Long Beach Towne Center and a second in another central location in Los Angeles that will be finalized soon. Both are more than 30 minutes from a traditional Ikea. Customers will be able to book appointments and get design specialist support in planning and ordering home furnishing solutions that require a bit more help, such as kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms. Customers will not be able to take home products, but Ikea will deliver orders.

Holey Grail Donuts: The Hawaiian chain, famous for taro-based donuts, is expanding on the mainland. The company, which started as a food truck, will open in Santa Monica, California, early next year and in Los Angeles’ new Larchmont Mercantile. Holey Grail has two storefronts in Hawaii: Hanalei and Oahu.