Target is debuting new experiences centered on toys during the holiday season. For the first time, the big-box retailer is hosting free, in-store toy demonstrations at all stores every weekend from Nov. 8 through Dec. 21, according to a company press release. The retailer will also debut a kids catalog next month to highlight top gifts for various ages and interests. Shoppers will be able to scan a QR code within the catalog to simplify the creation of wish lists. Both elements are a means for Target to highlight its toy offerings, as the company centers on affordable options for families. The company is offering thousands of toys under the $20 mark, many of which are new or exclusive products, per the company.

Migration to the Lone Star State is driving a retail construction boom. That’s according to new data from commercial real estate services firm Colliers, which found that between January 2021 and January 2025, Texas recorded a positive net domestic migration of 0.9%. Although construction slowed in 2020 amid pandemic-driven uncertainty, by early 2025, more than 17 million sq. ft. was under construction, with growth fueled by the state’s largest cities of Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio. Colliers notes that the Texas retail boom contrasts with the national landscape, where construction activity remains historically low. Just 6 million sq. ft. of retail space was delivered nationwide in the second quarter of 2025, bringing total space under construction to 47.9 million sq. ft.

Starbucks says it will continue its focus on improving the customer experience as part of its multi-year turnaround plan. In July, the company rolled out its new Green Apron Service program as a part of CEO Brian Niccol’s “Back to Starbucks” turnaround plan. This week, Niccol said that customers have already noticed a shift in the cafes’ atmosphere in the few months since the investment, particularly the welcoming staff and personalized interactions, such as the return of Sharpie-written names on cups. During its 2025 fourth-quarter earnings report on Wednesday, the coffee chain’s global same-store sales increased by 1%, mostly lifted by international markets like Canada and China. Starbucks’s same-store sales in the U.S. were flat. However, the company said new fall items and various customer service improvements helped boost sales in September. “Our intent is to become the world’s best customer service company,” Niccol said on the conference call. “To do this, we’ll double down on Green Apron’s service by empowering our leaders in and above the coffee house.”