Prada’s Versace deal comes at a difficult time for the luxury industry: Tariffs are threatening brands’ access to US consumers, while recession fears could trigger more conservative tastes.

Most CEOs expect a recession and inflation: US consumers face significant uncertainty ahead, prompting them to pull back and focus spending on essentials.

Apparel brands and manufacturers fear hit from Trump tariffs: The duties will disproportionately affect the industry, as 97% of the apparel and shoes sold in the US is imported from countries like China and Vietnam.

The Ulta and Target partnership may not last: Ulta is pausing its expansion of Target shop-in-shops this year as it looks to “unlock value” from its existing locations.

3 in 4 shoppers switched brands in the past year: More retailers are looking to rewards programs to encourage loyalty amid macroeconomic headwinds.

Hershey sees LesserEvil as the greater good in healthier snacking: The consumer packaged goods giant is buying the snack brand as part of its push to diversify its offerings.

Gen Z consumers are more likely to participate in economic boycotts: Their willingness to stop spending with their favorite brands over DEI and other issues should give retailers pause.

The end of de minimis is nigh: The rule that fueled the rise of Temu and Shein is set to end on May 2.

Amazon wants to be where all ecommerce journeys begin: The company is testing an agentic AI-powered feature that helps shoppers buy select products directly from other brands’ websites.

Retailers cut 57,804 jobs in Q1: That’s up an eye-popping 370% YoY as the number of retail bankruptcies grows amid an increasingly uncertain macroeconomic climate.

Trump’s “Liberation Day” provides little clarity: The tariff announcements, while far-ranging and punitive for the US’ largest trading partners, failed to lift the cloud of uncertainty hanging over businesses and consumers.

Trump’s tariffs roil the retail industry: Reciprocal measures will touch virtually every sector, leading to higher prices for the consumer.

Domino’s inks deal with DoorDash to expand delivery reach: The partnership will put the pizza chain on track to reach its goal of $1 billion in sales from aggregator platforms by 2026.

QVC partners with TikTok as time runs out on second ban deadline: The retailer’s bet on the platform reflects both the growing importance of social commerce as well as confidence in TikTok’s future.

Every $1 lost to fraud costs US merchants $4.61, up 47% over prepandemic 2019: That sharp rise underscores the growing challenge of fighting fraud without compromising the customer experience.

Rivian and Tesla see demand weaken in Q1: The two companies are struggling amid growing competition as more consumers opt for cheaper hybrid and gas-powered models in an uncertain economic and political climate.

GenAI adoption complicates retailers’ customer acquisition strategies: Brands are struggling to optimize their websites and product listings to account for rising traffic from genAI tools.

Dutch Bros’ secret sauce helps it defy gravity: The coffee chain is thriving at a time when macroeconomic headwinds are creating clear challenges for companies like Starbucks and McDonald’s.

Estée Lauder downplayed the impact of China’s gray market crackdown on sales, lawsuit alleges: The beauty company is accused of misleading investors about the severity of the headwinds it faced.

Nearly a quarter of the UK consumers have witnessed shoplifting in the past year: A similar number have also seen staff abused as retailers say crime has gotten out of hand.