Retail sales in China in March grew 5.9%: Government subsidies drove the fastest growth since December 2023, but the escalating US‑China trade war is likely to curb spending in the months ahead.
Furniture retail squeezed by high acquisition costs: Industry KPI data shows the sector at a disadvantage as economic uncertainty and tariffs drive up the cost of winning customers.
Retailers are feeling the ripple effects of new tariffs as consumers brace for higher prices. While some shoppers accept the trade-off, many are already adjusting their habits—from cutting back on fast food to seeking out deals. To stay competitive, brands must focus on value, transparency, and smart messaging. Here are five key stats on how tariffs are shaking things up.
On today’s podcast episode, we discuss how department stores are getting on, how they’re evolving, and what the contemporary department store needs to do to stick around. Listen to the conversation with our Senior Analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts Vice President of Content Suzy Davidkhanian and Senior Analyst Carina Perkins.
Anxiety around inflation, a deteriorating labor market, and trade war consequences have deepened consumer uncertainty about the US economy, with wide-ranging implications for retail.
Temu pulls its Google Shopping ads: The escalating US-China trade war puts the company’s business model at risk and threatens ad giants like Meta and Google.
Lowe’s agreed to buy Artisan Design Group for $1.33 billion: The move should enhance the home improvement retailer’s market position when the housing sector rebounds.
The issuers are taking a wait-and-see approach to gauge how Trump’s tariffs will play out
Even so, issuers may be slow to lift preemptive APR increases as they brace for economic turbulence
The card network is positioning itself at the forefront of the crypto payments space, centered on stablecoins
Albertsons struggles to fend off competition from mass merchants and club retailers: The grocer is leaning on promotions, private labels, and its pharmacy business to attract value-focused shoppers.
Vizio boosts Walmart’s retail media edge: New beta program brings exclusive connected TV inventory under Walmart’s direct control.
Online resale merchandise value will reach $40 billion in the US by 2029, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13%, according to March data from thredUP.
International boycotts of US brands and travel could cost the economy up to $90 billion: Rising anti-American sentiment caused by Trump’s policies is making it harder for companies to operate at home and abroad.
Foot traffic to Target declined for the tenth straight week, according to Placer.ai. Visits to Target fell 7.9% the week of March 31, per the latest data. Walmart’s foot traffic has also fallen for 10 consecutive weeks, while visits to Best Buy are down from a slight rise in mid-March.
Over a third of adults in the region don’t have a bank account. Only the Middle East and Africa has a larger proportion of unbanked consumers, per 2021 World Bank data analyzed by BCG. And the unbanked population is unevenly distributed: Just 59% of low-income consumers and 40% of rural inhabitants in Latin America have access to a banking account, per a January 2023 Mastercard and Americas Market Intelligence (AMI) survey.
No matter when or how they land, President Donald Trump’s tariffs will shake up retail and digital media.
Companies waste no time hiking prices: The cost of everything from coffee to video game consoles to sexual wellness products is going up, which will prompt shifts in consumer spending habits.
It’s hard to plan around Trump administration policies: One day, smartphones and other electronics are spared from tariffs; the next, the exemption is called temporary.