Best Buy believes we’ve hit a low point in tech demand: The combination of inflation and shifting spending patterns has made for a tough environment for the consumer electronics retailer.

Retailers turn to gamification to encourage loyalty, boost sales: Lego, Under Armour, and Hudson’s Bay Company are hoping to keep users engaged and their brands top-of-mind.

Target shifts away from a nationwide distribution network: By placing goods closer to customers, the retailer is delivering orders faster and speeding up store replenishment.

ByteDance is dead set on building up TikTok Shop in the US: Its aggressive moves to build a robust shopping service could lead to a $500 million loss this year.

Amazon wants to compete with FedEx and UPS: The retailer relaunched its Amazon Shipping service, which delivers products sold on Amazon's marketplace, sellers’ own websites, and other sites and marketplaces.

Instacart’s gross transaction volume grew just 5% in the first half: That’s a troubling number that can’t be glossed over by the company’s 30% revenue growth.

Amazon implements new seller fee as FTC antitrust case looms: The retailer will take an additional 2% cut on sales from merchants not using its fulfillment services.

TJX is thriving as more consumers turn to off-price retail: The company’s “treasure hunt” experience is resonating with Gen Zs and millennials, as well as driving repeat visits from bargain seekers.

On Running is firing on all cylinders: The performance footwear company grew D2C and wholesale revenues—as well as market share—in Q2.

Macy’s looks to private labels to boost its bottom line: As consumers pull back on discretionary spending, retailers are turning to private labels to differentiate their merchandise and improve margins.

Amazon is scaling back its private-label business: The company is cutting dozens of its brands in what appears to be a concession to the FTC.

The RealReal and thredUP set their sights on premium shoppers: Both companies are targeting bigger spenders to improve margins and achieve profitability by next year.

Digitally native brands look for a new D2C playbook: Brands are embracing wholesale, physical retail, acquisitions, and even selling on Amazon to regain momentum and achieve profitability.

Amazon’s cost-cutting initiatives are beginning to pay off: The company’s North America business returned to profitability in Q2, buoyed by advertising and improvements in fulfillment.

Walmart expands in-store retail media opportunities: The big-box retailer is giving advertisers more opportunities to reach physical shoppers with digital screens, audio ads, and sampling.

Holiday season creep is here to stay: Half of shoppers plan to start shopping before November.

Faster is better when it comes to ecommerce delivery times: Amazon and Walmart leverage automation, limiting the distance items travel to quickly get online orders to shoppers’ doors.

Shein claims it turned a profit in the first half: With rumors of a US IPO swirling, the company says its sales volume growth accelerated and profits improved this year. (This article was written with the assistance of ChatGPT.)

In-store retail media initiatives are gaining momentum: Loblaw, Macy’s, and Schnucks Markets are the latest retailers to invest in the channel.

Albertsons hit its marks in Q1: The company is leaning into private labels, growing its loyalty program, and boosting its digital sales.