D2C retailer Wayfair debuts Hykkon, "the first flagship brand for Wayfair’s European business, launching across the online furnishing giant’s U.K. and German ecommerce sites," according to Chain Store Age. "The brand features a retro-inspired color palette and aesthetic across a wide range of furniture and decor that can be mixed and matched together or with existing pieces according to customer preference."

Lululemon has developed a program aimed at helping UN humanitarian aid workers take care of themselves. “Lululemon has built a social impact program into its corporate culture, including one element, dubbed Here to Be, that helps communities access yoga, meditation, and mindfulness.” according to Fast Company. “Lululemon says it has committed a further $1 million to grow the program over the next three years to provide self-care to over 30,000 UN employees.”

Dealers from all automakers have been known to offer some creative incentives, but an Ashdown, Arkansas-based dealer, Greg Orr of Extreme Chevrolet, may have topped them all. Orr is offering customers a free shotgun with every vehicle purchase. A video on the dealership’s Facebook page shows employees talking about promotions while holding shotguns, according to GM Authority.

U.K. travel company Thomas Cook has been purchased by its rival and will be rebranded Hays Travel. The independent travel company, with 555 locations, said the move gives it shops in areas where it had little or no presence, including Scotland and Wales. “It had been an emotional day, with many staff crying when they were told their jobs were saved,” according to BBC News. There is likely to be some overlap of stores, and the BBC estimates that there are more than 30 locations where there would be two competing High Street branches.

Walmart Inc. announced that John Furner will become the president and chief executive officer of Walmart U.S., effective Nov. 1. He replaces Greg Foran, who held the post for five years and is moving to head Air New Zealand Ltd. Foran will stay with Walmart through Jan. 31 to ensure "a smooth transition," according to Market Watch.

A gamer was banned by Blizzard Entertainment for vocally supporting Hong Kong protestors. Chung Ng Wai received a one-year ban from the gaming company’s “Hearthstone” tournaments for shouting “Liberate Hong Kong! Revolution of our times!” during a post-match interview. Blitzchung, a native of Hong Kong, "was wearing a mask and goggles, the trademark look of Hong Kong pro-democracy protestors," during his interview with The Wrap.

Uber is rolling out a new trip mode called Uber Pet. Riders who are transporting pets will now pay a small additional fee of $3 to $5. The pilot will roll out Oct. 16 in Austin, Denver, Nashville, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Tampa Bay. “Drivers have allergies or don’t want to deal with shedding or clean-up,” according to The Verge. “As a result, oftentimes, the ride would be canceled. Uber wants to reduce that friction with this new feature.”

Signs at the SoHo location, which opened in 1977, say the closing is temporary, but the company is declining to comment. Financial turmoil has resulted in the closure of all its other New York City stores. A Dean & DeLuca spokeswoman said she was hearing only “silence” from Pace Development, the Thai real estate company that bought the cafe and grocery chain in 2014, according to The New York Times.

Starbucks has released a rendering of its planned four-story roastery at the former site of the Crate & Barrel store on North Michigan Avenue in Chicago. The 43,000 square-foot store, set to open Nov. 15, will be the world's largest Starbucks and will employ 200 people. Features include on-site roasting of rare Reserve beans, interactive tours, exclusive drinks "inspired by the culture and traditions of Chicago” and a full kitchen for making desserts, breads, pizzas and salads.

Daryl Morey, general manager of the Houston Rockets, one of the most popular U.S. basketball teams in China, tweeted support of Hong Kong demonstrators. China is not happy and the now-deleted tweet could threaten the U.S. basketball league’s expansion efforts in the important international market. The NBA’s response was met with bipartisan criticism from U.S. politicians.