On November 19, 2025, it was reported, top 100 retailer Williams-Sonoma, Inc. continued its strong fiscal 2025 with a solid third quarter across all metrics. For the three months ended Nov. 2, the San Francisco-based retail group, which includes West Elm and Pottery Barn, totaled $1.883 billion in net revenues, up 4.5% compared with $1.801 billion in the third quarter of 2024. Net earnings for the quarter came in at $241.6 million, or $1.96 per diluted share, an increase of 1.82% versus $237.3 million, or $1.87 per diluted share a year ago. Operating margin came in at 17%, expanding 10 basis points, with earnings per share of $1.96, growing 4.8% year-over-year." By brand, Pottery Barn totaled $741.5 million in net revenues in the quarter, up 1.3% compared with $718.2 million last year. Meanwhile, West Elm's $468.2 million in net revenues represented a 3.3% jump on Q3 2024's $450.49 million. Year-to-date, Williams-Sonoma's net revenues stood at $5.45 billion, up 3.82% compared with $5.25 billion three quarters into 2024. Net earnings through the first three quarters were $720.4 million, or $5.82 per diluted share, an increase of 0.82% on last year's $714.5 million, or $5.54 per diluted share. With another strong quarter in the books, Williams-Sonoma reiterated its 2025 guidance with net revenues up 0.5% to 3.5% inclusive of the impact of the 53rd week in FY2024, with comps up in the range of 2% to 5%. Also in the earnings report, Williams-Sonoma noted that once its September 2024 stock repurchase authorization concludes, it will initiate a $1 billion stock repurchase authorization, which was authorized by the board of directors this month. It currently has $637 million remaining on its current repurchase authorization.
On November 18, 2025, it was reported, HOM Furniture, a Top 100 furniture retailer serving customers in the upper Midwestern states, is acquiring Hennen Furniture, a family-owned and operated home furnishings retailer based in St. Cloud, Minn., effective January 1, 2026. The acquisition will include Hennen's 218,000-square-foot building and its operations serving Central Minnesota communities. Founded by Bob Hennen in 1967, Hennen Furniture began as a small store near St. Cloud's Crossroads Shopping Center, known for honesty, family values and exceptional customer service. HOM Furniture intends to operate the Hennen Furniture brand, preserving the company's local heritage and customer relationships while providing enhanced resources and support with its buying power, distribution capability and the support of nearly 900 employees. "This acquisition represents an exciting opportunity to partner with another respected Minnesota family business," said Carl Nyberg, president and CEO of HOM Furniture. "Much like our 2008 acquisition of Gabberts Design Studio & Fine Furnishings, we recognize the value of preserving established brands that have earned their communities' trust. "Hennen Furniture has built something special over nearly six decades, and we're committed to honoring that legacy while supporting their continued growth," he continued. "Hennen's is a family business that fits well with the HOM Furniture values of commitment to our customers, our employees and our local communities."
On November 14, 2025, it was reported, Shoe Carnival's board voted unanimously to change its corporate name to Shoe Station Group, according to a Thursday filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The change is subject to a shareholder vote set for June 2026. The retailer expects over 90% of its fleet to operate as Shoe Station stores by the end of fiscal 2028. The banner consolidation is expected to generate $20 million in annual cost savings. The company began tests in fall 2024 to rebanner some of its namesake stores to Shoe Station locations. The results were overwhelmingly positive, so the company began accelerating the strategy. The company has completed 100 store rebanners this year, and is currently on pace for 51% of its store fleet to operate as Shoe Station locations by the back-to-school season in 2026. It will evaluate remaining locations for outlet repositioning, rebannering or closure. The consolidation will result in tens of millions in annual savings and a 20% to 25% reduction in inventory investment by the end of fiscal 2027. Annual comparable sales growth is forecast to start in fiscal 2027 as Shoe Station becomes the dominant banner. Along with the branding announcement, the retailer also released preliminary third quarter results, with net sales coming in at $297.2 million. Shoe Station net sales grew 5.3% year over year for the quarter, while Shoe Carnival net sales declined 5.2% "reflecting continued pressure on lower-income consumers," according to the company. Shoe Carnival acquired family-owned Shoe Station for $67 million in 2021.
On October 14, 2025, it was reported, Metro Mattress, a longtime Northeastern sleep retailer, is going out of business following approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of New York to begin store closing sales to wind down the business. Judge Wendy A. Kinsella signed an interim order authorizing the retailer to conduct going-out-of-business sales "free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances." According to court documents, the liquidation sales will be held at six locations in New York state. The retailer started closing its other 34 stores Oct. 6. Founded in 1976, Metro Mattress was founded in 1976 and operated about 70 stores at its peak. The retailer filed for Chapter 11 protection Sept. 4, 2024. Following court approval, Metro mattress closed about 30 New England and New York locations earlier this year. The company said those closures were intended to focus on its more profitable New York stores, but losses continued to mount, according to court documents. Dove told the court he anticipates the liquidation sale to take five weeks. The judge's order notes that Metro Mattress will "use commercially reasonable efforts to vacate the closing stores as promptly as possible" and that remaining merchandise may be consolidated among locations during the process. The order also authorizes the company to transfer merchandise between stores and conduct sales without further third-party approvals, including from landlords or government units, so long as the company complies with general consumer protection and safety laws. A final hearing on the liquidation authorization is expected in the coming weeks, after which the court is likely to finalize Metro Mattress' full closure plan.
