On July 17, 2026, it was reported, QVC Group, owner of HSN and QVC, has received approval on its prepackaged financial restructuring plan from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. That plan was supported by a majority of the company's lenders and noteholders, according to a Wednesday announcement from the company. As a result, when it emerges from the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process, the company's debt will be reduced from around $6.6 billion to $1.3 billion. All vendors will have their claims paid in full or reinstated. "Today marks a significant turning point for our Company and positions us to emerge from Chapter 11 ready to win in live social shopping," David Rawlinson, CEO of QVC Group, said in a statement. "With significantly less debt, we can focus on what matters most creating uniquely inspiring live social shopping experiences for our customers." When it exits bankruptcy, the company expects to have access to a new $600 million line of credit to support its working capital needs. Additionally, QVC Group anticipates that it will be listed on a national securities exchange under the ticker symbol QVCG. Upon filing for bankruptcy in April, QVC Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer Bill Wafford said the company had work to do to accommodate changing shopping behaviors as attention wanes from traditional televised shopping. The company has been pushing a model that incorporates live social shopping, including launching a 24/7 livestream on TikTok Shop. QVC Group, once going by the name Qurate Retail Group, first introduced its WIN transformation strategy at the end of 2024, around the same time the company stated it was evolving into a live social shopping company.
On July 14, 2026, it was reported, Georgia Furniture Mart will close its two Atlanta-area stores after 40 years in business, with going-out-of-business sales beginning July 16 at its Norcross and Kennesaw locations. Owners Michael Hall and Tim Padden cited an evolving retail landscape and the sale of company properties in the decision to close. Planned Furniture Promotions has been retained to conduct the liquidation sales. Hall founded the family-owned retailer in 1986 as Underpriced Furniture. The company transitioned to the Georgia Furniture Mart name in 2020 as part of an expansion that included construction of a 164,000-square-foot distribution center in Tucker, Ga., designed to support next-day delivery and additional stores. Georgia retailer wrapping up 34-year run The retailer operates a 92,000-square-foot flagship showroom in Norcross with an attached 20,000-square-foot outlet. Its 40,000-square-foot Kennesaw showroom opened in April 2022. Together, the two locations encompass 152,000 square feet of retail space. Georgia Furniture Mart entered Furniture Today's Top 100 ranking in 2021 after generating an estimated $41.4 million in furniture, bedding and accessory sales from its single Norcross showroom in 2020. The company has also supported veterans organizations, youth programs, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and other charitable initiatives throughout the Atlanta area. A final closing date has not been announced, and the company has not disclosed how many employees will be affected.
On June 24, 2026, it was reported, City Furniture's rebranding as City Home, accompanied by a major expansion of its product and service mix, not only represents a fundamental reinvention for the one-time waterbed retailer, but it's also a move that points the way for an industry struggling to adapt to changing consumer shopping patterns. At a time when it's become an existential challenge to drive consumer footsteps through the door, City Home has created myriad new touchpoints with its shoppers. Looking for a TV? City has it. New refrigerator, stove? Come to City. How about bath, fitness, kitchen products, closets, custom cabinetry, storage solutions? Yes, yes, yes, yes and yes. The company has also expanded into new service areas including connected home installation, interior design and dedicated trade services for builders and designers. It's clear the company has taken a strategic approach to its new product segments, leveraging its existing strength in delivery of large parcels requiring set up, something for which City Home has a well-established and positive reputation. At a time when e-commerce giants are luring consumers with shopping convenience and lower-than low pricing, City Home is offering shoppers a level of service and experience they cannot find online. City Home also has checked one of the most critical boxes for brick-and-mortar furniture retailers looking to remain competitive in today's marketplace: the ability to deliver an experience. While furniture is beautiful, fashionable and certainly utilitarian, it is, in and of itself, static. By adding several dynamic, demonstrable and highly visual new categories to its mix, City Home is taking its in-store experience to new heights.
On June 2, 2026, it was reported, Dollar General is seeing an "accelerated rate" of trading down activity with customers, CEO Todd Vasos told analysts on an earnings call Tuesday. While the retailer sees the trend across all cohorts, it has particularly increased among higher income shoppers making over $100,000 a year. The discount chain's core customers cut back on some household expenses including food purchases during the first quarter due to rising gas prices, the executive added. Rural customers are especially feeling the pressure "as they work to minimize trip distance and make trade-offs in their search for everyday affordability," Vasos said. Dollar General's first quarter net sales grew 3.4% year over year to $10.8 billion, according to a Tuesday press release. Same-store sales increased 2%, driven by a 1.4% bump in store traffic and a smaller 0.5% increase in average transaction amount. Dive Insight: Shoppers are feeling the pressure of prices at the gas pump and Dollar General is reaping the benefits. The company expanded its store fleet in Q1 with 190 new stores opened in the U.S. and five new locations in Mexico. All of Dollar General's merchandise categories delivered positive comp sales, with the growth rate in non-consumables outpacing consumables from a monthly cadence perspective again, per Vasos. Dollar General's performance in the quarter was indicative of the various initiatives it is executing on, Jefferies analysts led by Corey Tarlowe said in an emailed note Tuesday. While progress on Dollar General's various initiatives is evident, Telsey Advisory Group analysts highlighted some potential pressures the company faces.
