There’s tough competition for workers this summer: While companies such as Subway, Walmart, and Starbucks are boosting hourly pay, the dearth of unemployed people looking for work could hinder growth.

It’s a difficult landscape for retailers: We break down how some retailers have successfully navigated the shifting terrain—and why others couldn’t.

Investors want retailers to take decisive action on ESG initiatives: But companies like Amazon and McDonald’s are pushing back on shareholder demands.

Consumers are ditching the sweatpants and buying new clothes: That’s propelling apparel sales at retailers such as Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters, and Express in Q1.

Retailers take multiple approaches to inventory as supply chain woes wear on: Companies like Utz and DSW are cutting down on SKUs while Walmart and Target are stocking up early.

There’s strong demand for UGG, HOKA, and The North Face: And shoppers are increasingly buying those brands’ products directly, which is helping boost their margins.

Consumers are trading down to private label brands: That presents an opportunity for retailers such as BJ’s Wholesale Club to use their own brands to demonstrate value and build loyalty.

US consumers can’t get enough of luxury retail: While Walmart and Target struggle, LVMH and Burberry benefit as affluent customers ramp up their spending.

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.