Investors continue to pour millions into ecommerce tech solutions: Salsify is the latest platform to reach a multi-billion dollar valuation as brands and retailers look for ways to improve their omnichannel capabilities.
Bed Bath & Beyond’s struggles put the success of its turnaround plan in doubt: The retailer blamed inventory issues and slowing consumer demand for its disappointing Q4 results.
Rent the Runway believes the conditions are ripe for growth: Inflation could drive more consumers to rent, rather than buy, as people return to spending on experiences.
Rising prices drove retail sales to increase 0.5% in March: Despite sharp price increases, consumer sentiment hit a three-month high in early April due to strong job and wage numbers.
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Brooklinen and Parachute push to gain market share: The two D2C home goods brands are opening stores and expanding into new channels to drive sales growth.
Restaurants are experimenting with robots, but customers aren’t enthused: Labor crunches and high costs are pushing fast-food chains like Chipotle and Panera Bread to adopt automation front and back of house.
Panera’s new AI uses sensors, algorithms, and analytics to ensure coffee is optimally brewed: Restaurants are leaning into AI and automation, but will long-term effects lead to reduced hospitality and fewer customers?
The card lets customers earn unlimited 2% cash back and may signal a broader move into general-purpose cards.
Cash is on the decline everywhere, accounting for at most 44% of point-of-sale (POS) transaction value regionally and just 18% globally in 2021. Its share will drop to 10% worldwide by the end of 2025, with North America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe leading the charge away from physical money.
Meta’s Horizon Worlds features can monetize VR: Creators will be able to sell items “in-world,” with Meta taking up to 47.5%. Will creators balk at the cost of business in the metaverse?
Cooling consumer demand drives down Q1 PC sales: PC makers need to attract consumer and educational markets with compelling 2-in-1s, gaming PCs, and tablets in coming quarters.
Fifteen trademark applications filed last week suggest Mastercard is buying the NFT and metaverse hype.
Personalization pays off with customers: Companies like Netflix see it as a priority, as the platform launches Two Thumbs Up to improve recommendations.
Target hopes the second time’s the charm for a thredUP resale partnership: Amid rising consumer interest in—and spending on—secondhand clothing, the big-box retailer re-enters the resale market.