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Apr 28 2026TECHNOLOGY

Small Stores Get a Tech Upgrade Without the Big Bills

Independent shop owners often feel stuck between old cash registers and expensive software upgrades. Many can't afford the latest point-of-sale systems that big chains use daily. Two companies now say they have a solution that skips the sticker shock. Vibe Retail makes cloud-based software for stor

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Apr 27 2026BUSINESS

Bridgewater’s newest tech hub ready for action

A big empty warehouse in Bridgewater, New Jersey, just got a second life. A company called Denholtz turned a 73, 429-square-foot space into a modern industrial building packed with tech-friendly features. The building sits near two major highways—Interstate 78 and 287—making it easy for trucks to ro

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Apr 25 2026BUSINESS

Store Cutbacks: A Shift Toward Smarter Retail

Bath & Body Works has quietly shut 92 shops in its latest yearly report, showing how the brand is reshaping its physical presence while aiming for a fresh surge in growth. The closures happened across the U. S. during the fiscal year that ended on Jan. 31, but the company kept the specific sites und

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Apr 25 2026BUSINESS

Airport shops keep local names alive but not their original essence

Portland’s airport now has two new small shops that borrow names from local businesses. One is called Sheridan Fruit Company, named after a grocery that closed in February after 110 years. The other is Topaz Farm, a nod to a farm on Sauvie Island that reopened in 2020 under a new label. Both shops s

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Apr 23 2026BUSINESS

Empty Storefronts Grow at Towson Mall as Shops Exit

Towson Town Center now has one in four storefronts sitting empty. Stoney River Steakhouse plans to shut its doors on June 26, joining Apple, Capitol Luggage, Banana Republic, Tommy Bahama, and Madewell, which all left recently. The exodus shows how malls everywhere face a triple threat: shoppers now

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Apr 22 2026CRIME

Teen shoplifting surge sparks UK debate on crime policies

A group of teens recently ran wild through a southwest London street, grabbing items without paying. Their bold thefts highlight a much bigger problem: shoplifting in England and Wales has nearly tripled over four years. Experts say this trend isn’t just a small blip—it shows how minor crimes can sp

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Apr 22 2026BUSINESS

Building a Future While Breaking Old Rules

The push for cleaner energy isn’t waiting for politics to catch up. A recent court decision just cleared away some federal blocks slowing down solar and wind projects across the country. Meanwhile, big companies are making big moves in new directions. One coffee giant, known for its green mermaid lo

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Apr 19 2026OPINION

The Real Cost of Easy on Crime Policies in Stores

A simple trip to buy painkillers shows how big choices affect everyday life. Many stores now lock up basic items like ibuprofen to stop theft. Shoppers wait while employees fetch the products from locked cases, creating delays. A customer from Florida pointed out that stores there don’t use this sys

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Apr 15 2026BUSINESS

Bang & Olufsen Brings a New Sound Experience to Seoul

The popular audio brand Bang & Olufsen has opened a fresh store inside Seoul’s Lotte Department Store on April 15, bringing its newest retail style to Korea. The shop sits beside the Emerald Lounge on the fourth floor and has been redesigned into a bright, colorful space that mixes modern flair w

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Apr 15 2026BUSINESS

Instacart adds overseas tech muscle with Instaleap buy

The grocery delivery giant Instacart just snapped up Instaleap, a tech company based in Colombia that helps supermarkets run smoother online shops. Unlike Instacart’s usual app that lets shoppers order groceries straight to their door, Instaleap builds the behind-the-scenes tech for nearly 100 groce

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