Walmart’s fledgling retail media business made big gains in Q4: Ad spending on the platform rose 31% YoY thanks in part to the ads’ growing effectiveness.

Potential UPS strike hastens last-mile diversification: Rival FedEx, as well as local carriers and retailers’ logistics services, are reaping the rewards as companies try to minimize disruption.

On today's episode, in our "Retail Me This, Retail Me That" segment, we discuss the power of Walmart: how Walmart is trying to stay in the online shopping race with Amazon, how Walmart+ is getting on, and what to make of its retail as a service offerings. Then for "Red-Hot Retail," our analysts give us four of their very specific—and potentially risky—predictions about the future of Walmart. Join our analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts analysts Sky Canaves and Blake Droesch.

Amazon-owned Whole Foods is in expansion mode: While its parent company looks to cut costs, the high-end grocer sees an opportunity to attract consumers as they return to in-store shopping.

Walmart has an unprecedented opportunity to gain ground on Amazon: The big-box retailer is taking advantage of the latter’s state of disarray to reassert its dominance and take the lead on innovation.

Brands and retailers face threats to their pricing power: An FTC investigation into PepsiCo and Coca-Cola’s pricing practices, coupled with consumers’ cost sensitivity, could limit companies’ abilities to dictate prices.

Amazon’s 2023 is off to a difficult start: The retailer said it would lay off over 18,000 workers as it prepares to weather global uncertainty.

This year will be a litmus test for trying new things. Payments incumbents that embrace change on their own terms will emerge stronger than before.

Which companies are and aren’t threatening health systems? Incumbent providers should be keeping tabs on retail and tech conglomerates instead of telehealth-focused players.

We all know that 2023 will be the year of retail media, social commerce, and lingering economic uncertainty. But here are some more targeted possibilities for the year ahead.

Economic uncertainty caused investors to grow cautious: Even so, there were several significant acquisitions in 2022.

Retailers’ return rates are rising: That’s a significant challenge to merchants’ bottom lines, but it also presents an opportunity for those that offer a straightforward process.

US retail sales grew 7.6% over the holiday season: Consumers diversified their spending due to inflation and a desire to return to pre-pandemic activities such as eating out.

On today's episode, we discuss whether streaming's golden age is suddenly waning, the race to build a do-everything app, Amazon's new TikTok-like shopping feature, how Disney+ is doing, Walmart's drone deliveries, the numbers that best sum up this year, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our director of reports editing Rahul Chadha, vice president of Briefings Stephanie Taglianetti, and analyst Paul Verna.

Which retailers and brands won (or lost) in 2022? Retailers that catered to the budget or luxury ends of the price spectrum did well, while those that dealt in discretionary categories like apparel and electronics saw the biggest drop-off in consumer spending.

Which retailers and brands will win (or lose) in 2023? Retailers that can offer value—either in terms of price or convenience—will continue to thrive, while those that cater to an increasingly squeezed middle class will struggle.

Invigorated travel has reestablished demand for travel credit card perks and benefits. But a recession could reverse gains—requiring premium card issuers to balance travel offerings with everyday utility. This second annual study reveals which of 10 leading premium travel credit cards are best positioned to attract and engage customers, based on their support of 49 emerging features.

What retailers need to know about the new wave of delivery apps and quick-commerce startups.

Alibaba, Amazon, and Mercado Libre dominate retail ecommerce in different parts of the world. Here’s a look at how these marketplaces stack up, in seven charts and graphics.

Shoppers hold out for Super Saturday sales: A record 158 million consumers are expected to shop that day as Amazon, Target, and Walmart ramp up promotions.