The Chinese economy shows signs of life: While that’s good news for retailers after flat growth last year, many are adopting conservative strategies to protect their bottom lines.

We expect retail sales growth to slow to 2.9% this year: That pullback in spending is leading retailers to cut staff to protect their bottom lines.

Consumers expect to spend nearly 10% more on Valentine’s Day this year: And nearly one-third plan to give the gift of an experience, the highest share ever.

Attracting and retaining retail employees isn’t easy: But it's critical to delivering a high-quality customer experience. That’s why Walmart and others are boosting wages.

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.

We expect retail sales in India to grow 11% this year: That’s enough to make it the fastest-growing market in the world, which is one reason Amazon is investing in the region.

Procter & Gamble is determined to push through price hikes: Despite falling sales volumes and softening demand, the CPG giant plans to continue raising prices to cover its costs.

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.

Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Hudson’s Bay rethink their strategies as department store sales fall: Tactics include using data science to predict trends and improve pricing strategy, doubling down on luxury, and maximizing store appeal with experiential concepts.

Consumers pulled back on spending in December: Even as inflation eases, consumers’ diminished spending power is forcing them to make choices about what they buy.

It’s easier than ever to find fashion resale online: The latest example of that is Rent the Runway’s new storefront on Amazon Fashion.

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.

Retailers struggle under the weight of holiday returns: Global returns grew 63% YoY as economic concerns drove shoppers to rethink purchases.

Beware of the ‘retailpocalypse’ narrative: While retailers such as Gap and Macy’s shutter stores, there’s no sign that a broader bust is imminent.

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.

IRI woos shopper marketers: Its new platform should give advertisers greater visibility into retailer and SKU-level results.

Consumers pull back on discretionary spending: While that’s an ominous sign for retailers such as Macy’s and lululemon, there are still some glimmers of hope on the horizon.

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.

Saving money is a priority for consumers in 2023: Shoppers plan to cut back on unnecessary purchases in anticipation of difficult economic circumstances.