Pinduoduo faces a real reputational risk: Google suspended the Pinduoduo app from the Play Store after finding malware in some versions of the software.
Amazon to lay off another 9,000 employees in latest cost-cutting move: But the company continues to invest heavily in its core businesses, including ultrafast delivery and AWS expansion.
Foot Locker labels 2023 “reset year” to restore falling sales: The retailer is investing in exclusive products, loyalty, omnichannel, and off-mall store formats to offset Nike’s D2C shift.
Reebelo defies financial turmoil to raise $29 million in funding: The Singapore-based consumer electronics resale marketplace plans to use the funds to grow its US business and expand into new markets.
Meta rolls out paid verification subscription in the US: Meta Verified has perks that could appeal to creators, but regular users aren’t likely to pay.
On today's episode, in our "Retail Me This, Retail Me That" segment, we discuss why livestream shopping hasn't caught on in the US and the UK the same way it has in China, what TikTok is doing to make the US’s launch more successful than the UK's, and what shoppers are looking for from a livestream. Then for "Pop-Up Rankings," we rank the top four brands that have done livestream shopping well. Join our analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts analysts Sky Canaves and Carina Perkins.
On Running is bullish after growing sales 91.4% YoY during the holiday quarter: But Nike’s strong Q3 performance underscored its position as the dominant sneaker brand on the market.
Visa, Mastercard, and several paytechs said their businesses were mostly uninterrupted despite ties with the now-collapsed bank.
Chick-fil-A risks angering customers by devaluing loyalty program: While Chick-fil-A will require customers to spend more to qualify for perks, Subway leans into value with its Footlong Pass.
UK households are feeling more optimistic about inflation: But continued wage pressures could drive the BOE to continue raising interest rates.
Boxed could be forced to file for bankruptcy: The company is struggling to raise funds a little over a year after going public via SPAC.
Pinduoduo owner PDD’s growth slowed in Q4: That reflects a sluggish retail landscape in China, which is why the company aims to diversify its revenue streams.
Where many retailers struggled last year, Dollar General succeeded as cost-conscious consumers sought out lower prices amid inflation. But there’s a larger opportunity on the horizon for Dollar General: retail media. The discount store’s ability to reach rural audiences coupled with its popularity among marketers place it in a favorable position for the years ahead.
Its valuation took another big dip, but the raise could encourage other cash-hungry fintechs. Stripe’s OpenAI tie-in can open doors for both firms.
On today's episode, we discuss Snapchat's new AI chatbot, Meta's generative AI plans, and what's new about GPT-4. "In Other News," we talk about whether VR influencers can save the metaverse and how drone delivery company Wing is looking to make last-mile delivery more efficient. Tune in to the discussion with our analysts Jacob Bourne and Jasmine Enberg.