Instacart expands offsite retail media capabilities with YouTube partnership: The retailer’s first-party data will power shoppable ads for CPG brands

Walmart’s automated warehouses enable it to do twice the work with half the staff: Those gains are creating more capacity for third-party sellers, and putting the retailer on track to hit ecommerce profitability in two years

US consumers shop frequently with Temu and Shein, despite trust issues: Both Chinese retailers are winning more repeat customers than established players like eBay and Etsy.

US retail sales soar past our prepandemic forecast: 2024 sales will be 18% higher than we thought in February 2020 as consumers’ resilience shows no signs of slowing.

Pride products are plentiful this year: Walmart, JCPenney, Kohl’s, and Abercrombie push past the right-wing backlash to offer Pride-related products.

Retailers turn to virtual experiences to boost engagement, awareness: Walmart, Ikea, and Skechers are among the many trying to increase their appeal to younger shoppers while driving sales.

Zara bets on live shopping following China success: The fast-fashion retailer is expanding its live commerce capabilities to the US, UK, and Europe.

Gap’s turnaround momentum is building: The retailer is winning over shoppers with on-trend styles, while boosting its profile with buzzy celebrity and brand partnerships.

Amazon and Walmart reinforce the value of their membership programs: Amazon now offers free Grubhub+ membership as a permanent Prime perk and Walmart+ announces its member-exclusive sale.

US consumers keep spending: Better-than-expected results from Abercrombie, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Cava demonstrate that shoppers are willing to splurge on some nice-to-have items.

The housing market continues to flounder: As long as it remains hard for consumers to buy a home, brands and retailers tied to housing will likely struggle.

TJX, Ross Stores are bullish as shoppers search for value: Both companies raised their profit outlooks in anticipation of growing demand and continued market share gains.

Nestlé targets GLP-1 users with line of nutritious frozen meals: The CPG company sees an opportunity to gain an early advantage as consumers shift to healthier options.

Dupe culture goes mainstream: Target and e.l.f. Beauty are among the companies benefiting from Gen Zers’ affinity for cheaper versions of premium products.

Retailers are cautiously optimistic as they look ahead to the holiday season: Imports are expected to be slightly higher YoY as companies bring in more mid-priced items.

Walmart’s market share gains continued in Q1 as the retailer emphasizes value and convenience: The company continues to draw in more high-income shoppers, while its advertising and marketplace offerings boost revenues.

Live shopping sparks interest in younger shoppers: So far, the format is most successful as a community-building exercise for brands.

Home Depot’s sales have fallen for six straight quarters: That’s largely a reflection of a dismal housing market that CNN calls the “the worst time ever to buy a home.”

Shein’s efforts to woo US lawmakers, NRF fall on deaf ears: The fast-fashion giant could shift its IPO to London as it tries to head off supply chain scrutiny.

Consumer spending rose in the first four months of 2024: Shoppers are becoming more deal-conscious as cost-of-living pressures weigh heavily.