On July 20, 2026, it was reported, a bankruptcy judge has approved the sale of substantially all of Sleep Number Corp.'s assets and ongoing business operations to Sleep Country Canada Inc., clearing the last major hurdle in a Chapter 11 process that began in June. The deal, which closed a competitive auction process, is expected to close by July 31. The buyer is officially SNBR Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sleep Country Canada. The hearing was held this morning and spanned into the afternoon. The approval came after the buyer sweetened its offer. According to court filings in the case, pending in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, the total adjusted cash consideration in the deal rose to $122 million from $100 million in Sleep Country Canada's original stalking-horse bid. The increase came from amendments made after Sleep Country Canada's bid was selected as the winner at a July 13 auction, including the removal of a cap on cure costs, the removal of a processor reserve reduction, and the buyer's assumption of severance liabilities and accounts payable. Brooklyn Bedding, part of 3Z Brands, which submitted a qualified bid ahead of the bid deadline, was named back-up bidder. The amount of Brooklyn Bedding's bid was not disclosed in court filings. Sleep Number said its day-to-day operations, including sales, warranty service and delivery, are continuing as normal through the remainder of the process. The company's common shares were previously delisted from Nasdaq, and Sleep Number cautioned that, based on the purchase price in the sale agreement, shareholders are expected to see a complete or significant loss on their investment.
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 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.
