Retail & Ecommerce

Brands keep quiet on sustainability this Earth Month: Green initiatives among retailers are few and far between due to anti-ESG campaigns and tariff concerns.

Multi-industry players have the power to redefine the future of commerce media advertising. Unlike in the US, where retailers and FIs typically operate independently, many Latin American retailers act as financial services providers—offering credit lines, digital wallets, and other banking products to unbanked and underbanked consumers.

The deal received conditional regulatory approval, shaking up the card space and larger financial service industry

Travel brands and issuers are pushing premium cards to attract affluent consumers and boost revenues

Tariffs drive ad pullbacks: Temu and Shein reduce US ad spending ahead of policy shift, signaling fallout across ecommerce and social platforms.

Brands face a current environment where consumers are increasingly loosening ties and changing shopping habits due to economic pressures and shifting expectations. Customers are less brand loyal today than they were five years ago, pushing brands to build stronger communities through providing emotional connections and support.

Anticipated tariffs are speeding up purchasing decisions, revealing a tension between economic caution and the desire to avoid future markups.

Smaller sales can produce big results: Once again, Amazon is using category-specific sales events to drive increasingly cautious consumers to spend.

The Trump administration injects more uncertainty into supply chains with new ship fees: While less stringent than initially proposed, the levies will raise costs and complicate operations.

Global gains power L’Oréal past expectations as US market cools: CEO Nicolas Hieronimus flagged slowing beauty demand and US retailer constraints but noted the brand is well positioned to handle tariff-driven disruptions.

The deal, which also includes FIS’s purchase of Global Payment’s issuing business, redraws lines that had previously been blurring

In-store payments provide a new growth avenue for BNPL providers facing slower industrywide volume growth

The company said its premium base will help it withstand a potential economic slowdown or other macroeconomic concerns

Retail leasing demand hit a post-pandemic low in Q1: Retailers and landlords alike have been hesitant to lease or purchase property for new store builds amid continued macroeconomic uncertainty.

Target’s foot traffic has declined for 10 straight weeks: The drop followed its decision to step back from DEI efforts, a topic the CEO discussed with activist Al Sharpton.

Tariffs imperil beauty industry just as post-pandemic boom slows: Costs are expected to spike as duties hit key imports, leaving brands scrambling to maintain sales without alienating price-conscious buyers.

There’s little relief in store for the housing industry: Housing starts plunged in March, while the country’s largest homebuilder warned of weak demand.

Michaels looks to attract Party City and Joann’s shoppers: The crafts retailer expands its selection of party supplies and balloons, while also enhancing its in-store events.

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.

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.