Inside Retail reported that UK-based hardware retailer Homebase is set to close approximately 80 of its stores. The retailer says that the move will affect up to 1,000 employees, though other sources put the number of displaced employees at closer to 2,000. The struggling chain is expected to file a company voluntary arrangement. Hilco Capital purchased the chain from Wesfarmers for a nominal sum earlier this year after what Wesfarmers managing director Rob Scott called a “disappointing” investment. Wesfarmers said the deal would record a loss of between $350 to $406 million after purchasing the business just two years ago, but that it would remain eligible for 20% of equity that arises should Hilco sell Homebase in the future.

The Hustle reported that New York City Council has voted to cap the number of rideshare vehicles in operation, making it the first major city to impose limits on such services. The timing couldn't be worse for Uber and Lyft, the NYC decision calls into question how well they will be able to grow if other cities follow with similar restrictions, dealing both companies a major pre-IPO blow.

Reuters reported that German-owned discount supermarket Aldi is rolling out scores of new products in the US, in an aggressive push to expand in the country even as rivals are struggling in a drawn-out price war. Traditional grocers such as Walmart and Target have been slashing prices to win back the shoppers they've lost to Amazon.com and other online retailers. Surging commodities and transportation costs are also forcing companies that supply retailers with packaged goods to raise prices. Aldi, whose products are 90% private label, is far less exposed to these rising costs, which enables the grocer to pursue a plan to expand its US chain from 1,600 stores in mid-2007 to 2,500 by the end of 2022.

Australia isn't the only country navigating the anti-plastic movement. The Hustle reported that the US's only paper straw manufacturer, Aardvark, just got acquired by a larger holding. Within the last year, cities like San Francisco, Seattle, Fort Myers, Florida, and Vancouver (in Canada), have all ended the use of plastic straws. And, beyond cities, companies including Starbucks, American Airlines, Disney, and others have also announced their breakup from plastic straws. So, it goes without saying that Aardvark is struggling to keep up with demand. From a commercial perspective, forget Silicon Valley. Since being founded in 2007, the company has achieved double year-over-year growth.

The Hustle reported that Ford has ordered 75 strength-enhancing mechanical exoskeletons from Ekso Bionics after a successful pilot. Ford tested the suits not to increase the lifting capacity of its employees, but rather to help prevent injuries. The results: after a yearlong trial, the Ekso suits helped reduce workplace injuries by 83%. Ekso has at least 35 competitors in the exo-suit industry, but for now, the company has the edge with both Ford's patronage and a 28% spike in its share price.    

The AFR reported that the share of household expenditure on clothing and footwear has more than halved since 1984, from 6.5% to 3.1%. This data dispels the myth that specialty retailers' woes have been caused by the emergence of e-commerce. Online retail handles just 8% of sales, translating to just 0.2% of the decline. The remaining 3.2% drop has been caused by changing spending patterns.

Reuters reported that Mattress Firm Inc, the largest mattress retailer in the US, is considering a potential bankruptcy as it seeks ways to get out of store leases and shut poor performers from its 3,000 locations. Mattress Firm’s deliberations offer the latest example of a US brick-and-mortar retailer struggling financially. Reuters think that the situation is due to competition from e-commerce firms such as Amazon, but we have a suspicion that it's more likely the consequence of the continuing escalation of lease costs. Interestingly, Mattress Firm is owned by Steinhoff International, which paid US$3.8 billion to acquire the business in 2016. When it rains, it pours.