The US labor market is a tale of two halves: While retailers with a strong brick-and-mortar presence are intensifying their hiring efforts, startups are taking a more cautious approach to recruitment as VC funding dries up.

Target and Walmart post disappointing Q1 results: Both were hurt by a confluence of factors that are unlikely to resolve anytime soon.

China’s zero-COVID policy hinders retailers at home and abroad: The mitigation measures put the brakes on both retail sales and manufacturing, which could have long-term implications.

Apple, Amazon, and Starbucks are fighting hard against unionization efforts: While the companies’ aggressive stands aim to protect their bottom lines, doing so could sully their reputation.

Nike’s shift to D2C gives other sportswear brands an opening: Adidas, Reebok, Allbirds, and more are jockeying to take Nike’s place on store shelves.

Zara is charging UK customers £1.95 to return online orders: The fee may help preserve Zara’s margins, but it could come at a cost to brand loyalty.

Brands and retailers are adopting new technologies as they pursue supply chain optimization: Kraft Heinz, UPS, and Amazon are looking to AI, the cloud, and other tools to streamline operations.

A wave of cost-cutting layoffs is coming: GoPuff, Thrasio, and Reef are among the companies rethinking their staffing levels as they shift focus to profitability.

More brands are turning to textile tracing initiatives to assess environmental impact: But these measures may result in more headaches than actual change.

Inflation hasn’t hurt retail sales, which grew 7.2% in April: That growth stems from people flocking to stores. In-store sales rose 10.0%, while ecommerce sales fell 1.8%.

Shopify doubles down on logistics with its latest acquisition: The company is spending $2.1 billion on ecommerce fulfillment startup Deliverr to help it offer an “end-to-end logistics platform.”

Two years in, Meta’s latest ecommerce effort fails to resonate: Retailers are frustrated by the lack of basic elements, such as the ability to display products in multiple colors.

Despite market uncertainty, rapid delivery is becoming a fact of life: Tesco, Albertsons, and Publix are some of the retailers inking deals with delivery platforms to offer quick fulfillment, while quick commerce startup Zepto is raking in cash from investors.

Victoria’s Secret adds Amazon to its ecommerce playbook: Selling on Amazon’s marketplace enables retailers to find online shoppers where they’re already looking. But doing so comes at a cost.

Resale is on-brand for outdoor retailers REI, Patagonia, and Dick’s: It’s also a massive opportunity as consumers are increasingly looking to buy pre-owned items.

The plant-based foods industry needs to change: As the category expands its customer base beyond vegetarians, it needs to cut prices and improve its products.

Walmart+ doubled its fuel discount to 10 cents per gallon: Inflated gas prices provide Walmart with an opportunity to drive more people to its membership program.

Diversification is key to Harry’s and ThirdLove’s growth plans: With consumer enthusiasm waning for direct-to-consumer models, the two companies offer a glimpse of what’s to come.

Meta is making a modest step into physical retail: Facebook’s parent company is opening a store on its Burlingame, California, campus to let consumers try its metaverse hardware products.

Brands see an opportunity to pad their margins: Consumer demand remains strong for products such Tide, Coca-Cola, and Tyson, which is why companies are boosting prices beyond their increased costs.