Retail Alliance, in partnership with ABNB Federal Credit Union, has unveiled the Retail Catalyst—a powerful pilot initiative designed to support small retail businesses in Hampton Roads. Announced on July 7, 2025, the program offers education, community crowdfunding, access to capital, and ongoing t

A New Era for Virtual Fitting Rooms In a major leap for e-commerce, Google launched a new artificial intelligence feature on July 24, 2025, enabling U.S. users to virtually try on clothing using a personal photo. Available across Google Search, Shopping, and Google Images, the “Try It On” tool lets

Trader Joe's is no ordinary grocery store. With its unique product lines, friendly staff in Hawaiian shirts, and cult-like customer loyalty, the brand has long stood out in a sea of traditional supermarkets. The latest expansion includes a new location in Virginia Beach's Town Center at 220 Constit

If you’ve driven around Hampton Roads recently, you may have noticed something odd: several familiar 7‑Eleven convenience store locations have shut their doors. This isn’t just local happenstance—the closures are part of a larger trend sweeping the region. Here’s what’s behind the change and what i