Old Navy wants to stand out for consumers with convenience, now offering same-day delivery on items including jeans, beanies, and dress shoes through DoorDash. “It’s a classic win-win,” said Nishith Rastogi, founder and CEO of Locus, a logistics tech provider recently acquired by IKEA parent company Ingka Group. “The retailer gets speed, and the platform gets density and stronger utilization across its network.”

Online marketplaces are a crucial channel for growth in Europe. But brands need a nuanced strategy to navigate the complex, fragmented landscape.

Amazon used its annual seller conference, Amazon Accelerate, to unveil new tools and fulfillment capabilities that underscore its ambition to serve as the infrastructure of retail. The retailer is weaving together AI-driven tools, externalized logistics, and its vast seller network to extend its influence beyond its own marketplace. As Amazon extends its reach through MCF and Buy with Prime, it increasingly sees merchants and marketplaces not as rivals but as collaborators.

Robotaxi deployments are moving from pilots to broader rollouts as companies try to cash in on advancements in autonomous driving. Lyft recently began robotaxi tests in Atlanta, and Amazon's Zoox launched in Las Vegas. For companies investing in robotaxis, the opportunity extends beyond passenger rides. These fleets could eventually serve as a backbone for cost-saving delivery services, expanding the commercial applications of the technology. With Uber and DoorDash testing delivery robots, robotaxis could be the next move in on-demand logistics, moving beyond transporting passengers to carrying packages, meals, and groceries.

The gap between retail’s most and least digitized categories will grow even wider.

The news: Walmart is testing dark stores in Dallas and Bentonville, Arkansas, as part of its broader effort to speed up deliveries, per Bloomberg. Our take: Amazon’s latest pledge to offer one- or same-day delivery in 4,000 smaller cities and rural areas by year’s end is the latest salvo in its relentless quest to raise the bar on convenience. For Walmart, keeping pace isn’t optional—it’s essential. Fortunately, Walmart has the scale and infrastructure to compete. Fast delivery isn’t just about logistics; it’s a powerful driver of customer loyalty. When shoppers know they can get essentials like toothpaste at their doorstep within hours, they’re more likely to click the buy button rather than venture out to a store.

Mercado Libre’s retail business is thriving: Advertising revenues rose 50% YoY in Q1, and there’s ample room for growth.

ThredUp sees a big opportunity ahead: Steep tariffs on China and the closing of the de minimis loophole will drive up prices for new products, which could be a boon to the resale platform.

The USTR’s plan to impose steep fees for China-built commercial ships is “more of a threat than tariffs”: Carriers could face millions in charges for each US port call—costs that will be passed on to retailers and, eventually, consumers.

Latin America’s digital revolution is marching full steam ahead, with consumers spending more than a third of their day online. As social commerce and retail media propel the region’s digital economy to new heights, the runway for growth remains long.​

Logistics and the supply chain will take center stage this year: While a port strike may be off the table, rising costs and geopolitical tensions will force retailers to make hard choices.

Tariffs will upend the status quo: Retailers need to brace themselves for a new era of protectionist trade policies that drive up costs and eat into consumers’ spending power.

Understanding the nuances of how and where Latin America’s 293.2 million digital buyers spend their money online is key for brands and retailers to succeed in the world’s second-fastest-growing region for ecommerce.

Peru is Latin America’s fifth-largest retail ecommerce market by total sales volume. Although social unrest has stymied online sales growth over the past two years, the country has the potential to become a formidable multibillion-dollar ecommerce player in the region.

Understanding the nuances of how and where Colombia’s 13.4 million digital buyers spend online is crucial for brands and retailers seeking a competitive edge in this emerging market.

Retailers don’t want inventory shortages to steal their holiday cheer: That’s why most of them have taken steps to ensure trending products are available during peak shopping periods.

Chile is the fourth-largest retail ecommerce market by total sales and will be the No. 4 fastest-growing digital economy in Latin America. Understanding Chile’s 11.0 million digital buyers is essential for brands and retailers looking to capitalize on this resurging ecommerce market.​

Argentina's ongoing macroeconomic challenges and triple-digit inflation rates have curbed online consumer spending. However, pockets of growth opportunities still exist.

Understanding the nuances of how and where Mexico’s 67.5 million digital buyers spend their money online is key for brands and retailers to succeed in this thriving ecommerce market.​

Walmart rolls out series of initiatives to attract customers to its stores and boost ecommerce business: The retailer is opening a cashierless Sam’s Club store, adding pet care centers, and automating more distribution centers.