Nike is once again selling wholesale to DSW and Macy’s: Renewing those relationships will help it reach the sizable segment of consumers who aren’t willing to seek out its products.

Nike’s close connections to sports and sneaker culture keep it on the top of Gen Z’s list of favorite brands while its cutting-edge sneaker technology makes the brand a must-have for runners. But Nike must use a mix of D2C and wholesale commerce if it wants to defend its title from the competition.

On today's episode, in our "Retail Me This, Retail Me That" segment, we discuss how Nike was able to create such a strong brand, how that brand has transcended generations, and how close its competitors are to catching up. Then in a brand-new segment, "Loyalty Point, Counter Point," we present arguments both in favor and against various questions related to Nike, like can it remain the need-to-have running shoe and has the company alienated its core customer? Join our analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts analyst Sky Canaves and director of Briefings Jeremy Goldman.

D2C ecommerce will continue to grow at above-average rates. But that growth will be driven by established brands selling directly—not digitally native brands.

Nordstrom is shuttering its downtown San Francisco stores: Crime concerns have driven Whole Foods, Nike, and REI to close urban locations, while others attempt to address those issues without annoying customers.

According to Piper Sandler’s 45th semi-annual survey of US teen consumers, Gen Z spending was up 2% YoY to $2,419 annually. We dig into some of the key findings from the survey and offer our perspective, including why Ulta Beauty is proof the “lipstick effect” is in full swing and how Amazon can keep up with platforms like TikTok.

Warehouse inventory levels remain a significant hurdle for many retailers: While there’s progress, only 36% of supply chain managers expect inventories to return to normal this year.

Scrutiny over labor practices puts Starbucks, Nike, and others in the hot seat: The backlash could force retailers to improve supply chain transparency and worker protections.

On Running is bullish after growing sales 91.4% YoY during the holiday quarter: But Nike’s strong Q3 performance underscored its position as the dominant sneaker brand on the market.

Adidas will rely on wholesale to help dig it out of its Yeezy hole: But weak demand from retail partners could delay its comeback.

We asked our analysts which companies they have their eyes on this year and why they’re positioned for potential success (or disaster). The Kroger Co., for example, is leveraging its digital offerings to scale its business, while Nike may pivot back to wholesale to stay competitive.

Amazon was the most downloaded mobile shopping app in the US in 2022 as its reach continued to grow. Closing in on Amazon was Shein at No. 2, followed by Walmart, Fetch, and Shopify’s Shop app.

Retailers' Q3 earnings show signs of optimism ahead of the holiday season: Foot Locker, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Best Buy, and American Eagle each beat expectations as shoppers continue to spend.

Consumers now expect more from brands and their loyalty programs, which need to incorporate value, ease of use, and personalization to stand out in a crowded market.

Nike and Apple eye opportunities in the metaverse: Nike is opening an online store and trading platform for digital sneakers, while Apple is reportedly working on its own virtual environment.

The personal luxury goods sector is riding a wave of high demand in the US and China, buoyed by wealthier consumers who are relatively immune to the impact of price increases. But brands will need to appeal to the rising Gen Z consumer, as well as strengthen loyalty among their most important customers.

In December 2021, Insider Intelligence analysts published their top five retail trends for 2022, detailing our predictions for the upcoming year. But 2022 has been anything but predictable. In this Analyst Take, we revisit those trends to find out what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and how we’re thinking about five of retail's biggest trends amid this era of uncertainty.

Our Retail Reimagined podcast team talked connected fitness this week. Here are the highlights.

On today's episode, we discuss the most interesting thing about Amazon's recent performance, how its ad business is fairing, and why the retail giant bought a robotics company. "In Other News," we talk about why Facebook is moving away from live shopping and what to make of the new Nike Style store. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Andrew Lipsman.

Just 7% of US consumers who exercise expect to work out entirely at a gym or studio for the next year. By comparison, 42% plan to exercise only at home, while the rest anticipate using some combination of the two.