Uber reports record quarter, sees no signs of consumer spending slowdown: The company’s mobility and delivery businesses grew in Q4 as users remained willing to shell out for convenience.
CPG brands keep raising prices: That’s helped companies like Unilever, PepsiCo, and Kellogg’s grow sales. But it isn’t clear how much longer shoppers will continue to spend.
Walmart’s pickup- and delivery-only stores failed to deliver: That’s why the retail giant is shuttering its two concept locations.
This year’s Super Bowl ads will be defined by big stunts, from FanDuel’s live Gronk field goal attempt (we won’t be betting on this) to whatever M&M’s is doing with “Ma&Ya’s candy coated clam bites” (these we would bet on). Here are five charts on Super Bowl advertising.
Consumers are trading down to value-oriented QSR brands: That trend helped Yum Brands and Subway post strong gains in Q4, while higher-priced restaurants like Chipotle disappointed.
Getir and Jokr have very different approaches to rapid grocery: Getir is focusing on expansion at the expense of profits, while Jokr is narrowing operations to a few key markets to achieve profitability.
Tyson Foods reports steep drop in profit as inflation causes consumers to buy less meat: The company blamed a glut of protein in the market for its disappointing Q1 results.
Hashtag ‘#deinfluencing’ tops 68 million views on TikTok: The trend involves telling consumers what not to buy, pushing back against overconsumption and inauthentic creators.
Mediterranean QSR chain Cava looks to go public: That would make it the first restaurant company to make its public market debut this year.
Amazon is rethinking its grocery business: The retailer is putting Fresh expansion on hold as it tries to strike a balance between innovation and value.
Strong North American sales helped Starbucks overcome a steep COVID-19-related drop in China: But the company’s decision to devalue its rewards program coupled with its unchanging anti-union stance could come back to bite it.
Sick of disappointing retail news? So are we. Just like we’re sick of paying $6 for a carton of eggs. Some good news: US employers added 30,000 retail jobs in January, offering a big boost after a sluggish second half of 2022, when retail jobs fell for three consecutive months from September to November and were stagnant in December. Here are some more positive indicators.
Estée Lauder is betting on Chinese tourists to help return it to growth: But recession fears in the US and Europe could hinder a full recovery.
Magic Spoon eyes offline growth: The D2C cereal brand, which first became available at some Target stores last summer, will soon be on shelves in more than 6,800 stores nationwide.
Grocers are less willing to put up with price hikes as inflation eases: Whole Foods is the latest retailer to ask suppliers to lower prices to relieve pressure on consumers.
Amazon institutes delivery fees for most Amazon Fresh orders: The move should offset some fulfillment costs, but could also drive shoppers to cheaper grocers.
Plant-based meat sales fell last year: The challenging environment is driving Impossible Foods to reportedly cut about 20% of its staff.
Pet sales are on the rise (thanks, in large part, to inflation). Consumers, who are increasingly shopping online, are seeking out premium health and wellness-focused products for the furry members of their family.
Walmart is undergoing a “much broader shift,” said our analyst Sky Canaves on our “Behind the Numbers: Reimagining Retail” podcast. Where Walmart was once seen as primarily a retailer, it’s pivoting into tech and services. Walmart’s business remains rooted in grocery, but through its retail as a service and Walmart+ offerings, it’s expanding that flywheel.