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.

Alibaba’s stranglehold on ecommerce in China is loosening: The company’s earnings disappointed amid weakening consumer demand, robust performances from rivals, and more scrutiny from Beijing.

Black-owned brands are underrepresented on store shelves: While many retailers use Black History Month to support Black-owned businesses, addressing long-term inequities is a year-round challenge.

Rapid grocery apps face regulatory scrutiny as local governments push back: A proposed bill would prevent ultrafast services from advertising 15-minute delivery in New York City.

Amazon’s bet on brick-and-mortar grocery has yet to pay off: A new report highlights the company’s physical retail struggles, but digital grocery remains a bright spot.

The tight housing market is good news for retailers: The Home Depot and Lowe’s can benefit from consumers fixing up and renovating their homes—if they can navigate supply chain issues.

Unionization efforts pose a challenge to brands’ images: Labor efforts at Amazon, Apple, REI, and Starbucks show a side of these popular brands that could turn off consumers.

Walmart Inc.’s earnings show the benefit of prioritizing value over profits: The company’s decision to keep prices low helped it maintain growth and gain market share.

Shein’s legal maneuvers demonstrate its global ambitions: The fast-fashion retailer is expanding its Singapore presence as it attempts to bypass stricter Chinese rules on offshore IPOs.

Gopuff’s labor challenges underscore the dark side of rapid delivery: The company is likely trying to cut costs ahead of a potential IPO but must contend with increased government scrutiny and worker activism.

Inflation hasn’t cooled consumers’ desire to spend: Nonstore sales rose 14.5% in January, and overall retail sales increased 3.8%, in the latest sign that the US economy remains strong.

Amazon Fresh is on a rapid growth curve: Grocery is a key element within Amazon’s offline push.

Price increases hit retailers and consumers hard: As inflation approaches historic highs, retailers have to decide how much of the cost can be passed on without alienating their customer base.