TikTok will bring live shopping to the US after all: The platform is partnering with TalkShopLive for the launch, despite lackluster results in the US.

Rising prices aren’t cooling consumer demand: Even with consumer confidence ticking up and wages increasing, there could be storm clouds ahead.

LTK thinks the time is ripe for a social commerce foray: The app is integrating shopping just as Meta and TikTok cool off on commerce.

Recurring revenue is the key to long-term success for connected fitness: Peloton and Mirror take steps to get people to buy their gear—the first step toward getting them to subscribe.

Plant-based meat sales are declining: While rising prices are causing some consumers to trade down to cheaper proteins, there’s still plenty of interest in alternatives to animal products.

Retailers’ theft-prevention strategies risk alienating consumers: But Home Depot, Wegmans, and Best Buy show the difficulties of striking a balance between shopper satisfaction and store security.

Walmart’s holiday messaging focuses on convenience and value: The retailer introduces three new returns options and price rollbacks in key categories.

Home goods retailers feel the ripple effects of the housing recession: As the housing market slows, so does consumer spending on home-related items such as appliances and furniture.

Drizly is the latest company to roll out an ad network: The Uber-owned alcohol delivery service’s ad products may enable advertisers to run finely targeted multimedia campaigns.

Walmart has big plans to grow its ad business: Its ad tech platform is working with TikTok, Snap, and Roku to measure how social media and CTV advertising affect sales.

Retailers look for more ways to monetize their customer bases: Kroger, Sam’s Club, and Best Buy keep seeking new ways to entice advertisers to their retail media networks.

Instacart looks to extend its technological reach: At the same time, it also plans to focus most of its IPO on employees’ share to help it retain and attract talent.

FedEx sounds the alarm for a global recession: But the company’s misfortunes may owe more to strategic misfires than worsening economic conditions.

Grocers seek to make inroads with lower-income consumers: Walmart, Albertsons, and BJ's Wholesale Club are among the retailers eyeing the sizable customer segment.

Shein plans to open three large US distribution centers: The investment will dramatically cut its shipping times by up to 75%.

Starbucks’ reinvention plan leans on China for growth: The company ignores the threat of lockdowns as it pursues aggressive international expansion.

Inflation shows no signs of receding: Higher grocery costs continue to eat into budgets, but lower gas prices are boosting consumer optimism.

Consumers plan to get an early start on holiday shopping: That’s good news for retailers as it should help smooth out the traditional late-season shipping bump.

Charging for returns is an easy way to lose customer loyalty: Retailers need to think of returns as an extension of the customer experience—and not just a cost to be managed.