Retail Radar: Walmart Shutters Metaverse Space; Dollar General Partners

Recent retail news includes Instacart's enabling of weighted produce items and impulse buys, and Dollar General bulking up its beauty offerings.

Heidi Bitsoli

3/29/2023

Path to Purchase Institute members receive access to continually updated retailer profiles. Recent news included Walmart ending a Roblox space and Dollar General expanding beauty department and retail media partners.

Walmart Shutters Metaverse Space

The retailer quietly shut down its branded "Universe of Play" space in Roblox. While the retailer says the move was strategic, watchdog groups say the shuttering is merited for marketing to children.

DG Media Network Partners

Dollar General's media network is working with Meta and LiveRamp in moves designed to reach more shoppers via its social media outlets and help its CPG partners have more impact in rural areas.

Beauty Department Makeover

Dollar General revealed plans to boost its hair, beauty and skincare aisles at 300 stores, with extra square footage reserved for more SKUs and several exclusives.

Home Depot Thinks Spring

It's the home improvement retailer's busiest time of the year, so it's unveiled a Countdown to Spring Hub with new inspirations and projects as well as virtual courses and kids' in-store workshops.

Instacart Customizes

Instacart introduced a new ad solution elevating weighted items from produce brands, farms and agricultural organizations. It also introduced a new feature that lets sellers advertise single-unit SKUs priced $7 or less, to drive impulse buys.