Here’s the latest in retail sales and strategy:

Central Market, Wegmans, Gelson’s, Heinen’s and Fresh Thyme Market have been recognized by Tasting Table for outstanding produce quality and variety. Tasting Table cited Central Market for its broad assortment and community engagement. Wegmans was noted for sourcing produce locally from more than 400 farmers and for operating its own organic farm. Heinen’s offers more than 400 types of fruits and vegetables, according to the publication. Fresh Thyme Market emphasizes fresh, local produce, while Gelson’s is known for premium produce that draws celebrity shoppers.

Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty brand will debut in Ulta Beauty’s 1,500 stores next month under a new partnership that marks the brand’s first expansion beyond Sephora. The collaboration will feature a curated selection of Rare Beauty’s top-selling products. It will also include a monthlong giving campaign benefiting the Ulta Beauty Charitable Foundation and Rare Beauty’s Rare Impact Fund.

While final figures are still being compiled, early data indicate that holiday 2025 spending rose from a year earlier, according to Visa and Mastercard. Both companies reported year-over-year spending growth in the 4% range. E-commerce sales increased faster than in-store sales, rising 7.4%, according to Mastercard, and 7.8%, according to Visa. Despite stronger e-commerce growth, physical stores accounted for most holiday payment volume, representing 73% of total spending, Visa data showed.

Nespresso has opened its largest flagship store in the world in New York City’s Flatiron District, marking the brand’s eighth flagship location globally. The 13,900-square-foot store features a refreshed boutique design on the first floor, Retail TouchPoints reports. The lower level of the new store includes two custom-curated spaces: a Hidden Cup Coffee Bar showcasing exclusive recipes released throughout the year, and a Nespresso Lounge where customers can test barista skills using self-service machines. Nespresso introduced its flagship concept in Vienna in April 2021. The company operates in 96 markets and has a total of 818 stores worldwide.

As more Americans choose to eat at home rather than dine out to save money, food retailers such as ALDI, Walmart and Costco are attracting a broader range of shoppers, including households earning six-figure incomes, NBC News reports. ALDI has expanded rapidly in the U.S., nearly doubling its store count from 1,230 locations in 2012 to about 2,400 stores in 2023. The discount grocer plans to add 800 more stores nationwide by 2028.