Shopify is on an AI acquisition spree: The company’s latest purchase, Vantage Discovery, will enable it to offer brands genAI-powered search capabilities and improved product discovery.

US restaurant sales rose just 1.5% YoY in February: That’s one of the troubling signs in February’s weaker-than-expected retail sales numbers.

Gen Z is feeling squeezed: High living costs are driving Gen Zers to spend nearly twice as much as they save, which is leading them to prioritize essentials.

Luxury brands shake up their creative ranks: While Gucci is betting on provocateur Demna to revitalize its brand, Versace opts for a steadier path.

Some Kohl’s stores no longer accept Amazon returns: The move, which the retailer says is a temporary test, suggests the partnership may have fallen short of expectations.

Ulta lost beauty market share for the first time in 2024: The retailer is relying on a new marketplace, enhanced omnichannel experiences, and international expansion to recover sales.

Retail media resilience: Brands continue investing in this ad channel, but rising expectations put pressure on their retail partners.

Dollar General’s core customer is under considerable financial strain: Many shoppers can only afford basic essentials as inflation and economic uncertainty take their toll.

Estée Lauder partners with India’s government to boost local beauty brands: The company is the latest to invest in the country as interest in premium beauty soars.

Starbucks to add seating, power outlets to its cafes: Making those locations more welcoming is a vital piece of CEO Brian Niccol’s turnaround strategy.

Target isn’t sitting still amid challenges: It’s bringing back Target Circle Week to boost sales and memberships now while planning 300 store openings over the next decade.

Walmart faces heat after asking Chinese suppliers to cut prices: The retailer’s attempt to shift the burden of US tariffs backfired, highlighting the widespread impact of the trade war.

Grocery sales shifting online is a lasting legacy of the pandemic: We expect 13.7% of grocery sales to occur online this year, more than double the 6.2% share in prepandemic 2019.

Inditex points to slower growth at start of the year: But Zara’s parent company remains confident about its ability to thrive in an uncertain environment.

McDonald’s organizational overhaul aims to get new products out faster: The speedier rate of innovation could entice customers to visit more often.

Domestic travel demand weakened considerably in Q1: Government spending cuts, safety fears, and macroeconomic concerns dragged down both leisure and corporate travel.

9% of Amazon shoppers plan to participate in retailer boycott: The spending blackout is unlikely to stick as Amazon’s convenience makes it indispensable to shoppers.

Dick’s Sporting Goods had its best holiday quarter on record: While Q4 comparable sales soared past expectations, the retailer is tempering its outlook due to geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty.

Trump's tariff policies fuel uncertainty: How brands and retailers can best prepare amid a perpetually shifting landscape.

Kohl’s expects comparable sales to decline up to 6% this year: Strong macroeconomic headwinds make it difficult for the struggling department store to chart a new path forward.