Retail

Walmart is increasingly turning into a destination for a growing number of emerging, premium brands

Walmart has grown past its image as simply a budget-friendly retailer and is now offering a platform for brands that began online, are new to brick-and-mortar stores, or occupy more premium price tiers to expand nationwide across the U.S. Continue reading →

Marketplace Briefing: Why Amazon is offering its AI-driven shopping tools to other retailers

Amazon has begun offering the technology that powers its AI shopping assistant to other retailers, as the e-commerce giant aims to expand its role in the rapidly growing market for AI-driven shopping solutions. Continue reading →

JCPenney’s best-selling label is one of its own private brands

St. John’s Bay, a private apparel label owned by JCPenney, currently holds the top spot in sales among all brands in the JCPenney lineup. Its growth reflects the broader surge in private-label products at other major retailers. Continue reading →

How two very different DTC startups juggle paid and organic marketing

Custom rug company Ernesta and pet-tracking startup Tractive are each working to grow their customer bases amid broader macroeconomic uncertainty. During the Lead Summit in New York City, representatives from both brands discussed how they developed their marketing strategies and how they strike...

Brands Briefing: Athleisure labels target growth in tennis, pickleball, equestrian apparel and beyond

Athleisure brands such as FP Movement, Outdoor Voices and Vuori are rolling out dedicated gear tailored to sports like skiing and surfing. Continue reading →

What the latest retail earnings reports say about the health of consumers

Last week, retail giants including Home Depot, Walmart, Target, TJX and Urban Outfitters, Inc. reported their quarterly earnings. And there were a surprising number of bright spots considering the inflationary pressure both retailers and consumers have faced over the past year. Continue reading →

Brands are finding new ways to innovate as rising fuel prices drive up shipping costs

Rising fuel surcharges are pushing brands to be more inventive, prompting them to evaluate a wider range of carriers for their shipments. Continue reading →

Q1 earnings season: standouts and disappointments

First-quarter earnings reports show solid expansion in the retail industry, even as broader economic pressures — including elevated fuel costs and more frugal consumer spending — raise some concerns. Continue reading →

Marketplace Briefing: What Shein’s Everlane acquisition could signal for its marketplace ambitions

Shein’s reported purchase of Everlane isn’t its first move to strengthen its brand image. In the past few years, it has formed a partnership with Forever 21, bought the U.K. label Missguided and rolled out a third-party marketplace. However, how all of these initiatives will ultimately fit...

Walmart cautions it might need to increase prices because of rising fuel costs

Rising fuel costs stemming from the war with Iran are straining Walmart’s shoppers and its supply chain, and may ultimately force the retailer to increase shelf prices. Continue reading →