Younger consumers turn to social media to inform their purchases: 45% of Gen Z shoppers use Instagram for product research, 1.5x more than look to Facebook and TikTok.

A changing grocery delivery landscape forces Instacart to diversify: The delivery company launches a suite of retailer-focused tech solutions as rivals encroach on its turf.

Restaurants scramble to roll out loyalty programs: Hardee’s, IHOP, and Carl’s Jr. are the latest chains to leverage loyalty to offer personalized experiences and deepen relationships with consumers.

Clashes between retailers and activist investors are heating up: Kohls, Macy’s, and grocer SpartanNash are some of the companies pushing back against investor demands.

Retailers need to take note of consumers’ shifting shopping behaviors: Rising inflation and supply chain shortages have driven consumers to adjust where and how they spend their money.

Digital-native retailers struggle to turn a profit: Rockets of Awesome and Warby Parker demonstrate the challenges upstarts face when they attempt to pivot from fast-paced growth to profitability.

Retailers take last-mile fulfillment into their own hands: Companies like Costco and Amazon are building their own logistics networks, to the detriment of FedEx and UPS.

Consumer trust in eco-friendly claims is wavering: That’s driving large retailers such as Amazon, Target, and Starbucks to find new ways to demonstrate the effectiveness of their efforts.

Beijing’s zero-COVID policy wreaks havoc on the global supply chain: Lockdowns in Shenzhen and Dongguan make it harder and more expensive for retailers like Amazon and Walmart to deliver goods to overseas shoppers.

Despite a number of economic challenges, retail spending is expected to remain strong: Retail sales growth slowed in February but strong job and wage increases and declining unemployment provide reasons for optimism.

Off-price retailers have an opportunity to attract customers: US consumers’ confidence slipped in February, driving shoppers to focus on value.

Twitter expands social commerce offerings to catch up with competitors: The social media platform won’t be a shopping destination anytime soon, but that won’t stop it from experimenting.

Fashion resale platforms focus on expansion first, profits later: The RealReal, thredUP, and Poshmark all saw strong sales in 2021, but must now cope with slow shopper growth and high infrastructure costs.

Is it time to rethink the gig worker-based business model?: Amazon alters jobs for grocery-picking gig workers to help meet growing demand for online orders.

Amazon’s freewheeling approach to brick-and-mortar is at an end: The retail giant closes stores as it focuses on boosting profitability and winning grocery market share from Walmart and Target.

Retailers face several concurrent headwinds that could stifle sales: Costco, Victoria’s Secret, and Urban Outfitters warn that inflation, supply chain problems, and global unrest could make for a challenging retail environment.

The tight labor market is empowering retail workers: Boosting pay can help retailers retain staff and ensure they’re providing a good customer experience.

Retailers invest in last-mile fulfillment as shoppers clamor for convenience: Growing ecommerce business has led companies to revamp their brick-and-mortar footprints and adopt autonomous delivery methods.

TikTok’s ecommerce priorities are clear with expansion into Southeast Asia: Parent company ByteDance hopes to turn social media users into social commerce adopters.

Large brands shift their focus to direct sales: Meanwhile, many digital-native retailers are turning to wholesale as they look for cost-effective ways to attract new customers.