Backlash builds against US brands as more tariffs loom: Global consumers are shunning US products, posing a threat to retailers, CPG companies, and the travel sector.

National Burrito Day is this Thursday: Chipotle’s success with the made-up holiday has driven competitors like Qdoba, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and even 7-Eleven to offer their own burrito-centric deals.

K-beauty demand is soaring: South Korea outpaced France as the top source of US cosmetics imports in 2024.

Uncertainty is having a chilling effect on US M&A activity: The number—and size—of deals is down YoY as companies wait for more clarity on government policy.

Much is in flux when it comes to tariffs: That uncertainty is putting stress on companies and consumers as they weigh whether to spend or save.

61% of US consumers have used AI tools for online shopping: Retailers have a clear opportunity to leverage the technology for more personalized experiences.

Sluggish spending in February signals a challenging year: Consumers are curbing discretionary spending as sentiment plunges to the lowest level in over two years.

TikTok Shop expands in Europe as US fate remains uncertain: Launch in France, Germany, and Italy underscores push for growth amid pressure to boost sales.

Walmart will invest $6 billion in Mexico this year: The move could protect it from growing anti-American sentiment.

Amazon Prime Day will be twice as long this year: The four-day sales event should boost sales and ad revenues, but growth will be hard to sustain long-term.

Retail media growth spurs demand for ad tech talent: Channel expansion and rising client expectations create need for jobs in performance marketing and ad buying.

Chewy reaps the rewards as pet spending shifts online: Meanwhile, Petco is hoping a partnership with Uber Eats and a new direction under CEO Joel Anderson will help narrow the gap.

Amazon’s Interests AI delivers personalized recommendations: The feature is the retailer’s latest genAI-powered attempt to make the ecommerce experience more relevant.

Dollar Tree’s market share is growing as consumers across incomes prioritize value: The retailer sees strong prospects as it offloads Family Dollar and expands its multi-price assortment.

Consumers brace for tariff-related price hikes: Some take preemptive action, with 1 in 10 shoppers making a big-ticket purchase to sidestep rising costs.

The UK economy is in a tough spot: Consumers are keeping a tight grip on their wallets as tariffs and government budget cuts loom.

Advertisers have higher expectations for retail media networks: That’s fueling a wave of updates from Best Buy, Instacart, and DoorDash.

Affirm teams up with JPMorgan to expand BNPL reach: The partnership will help the fintech keep pace with Klarna and capitalize on growing demand for flexible payment options.

Retail reshuffling opens doors for discounters: As struggling chains retrench, value retailers seize prime locations to expand.

The USTR’s plan to impose steep fees for China-built commercial ships is “more of a threat than tariffs”: Carriers could face millions in charges for each US port call—costs that will be passed on to retailers and, eventually, consumers.