Retail & Ecommerce

Wendy’s biggest shareholder wants to take the company private: As the fast-food chain struggles amid shrinking store traffic and sales growth, an influx of cash could help it better compete with McDonald’s.

Livestream platforms score funding as investors remain bullish on social commerce: Firework and buywith bag millions in financing as livestream shopping events go mainstream.

Dollar Tree and Dollar General benefit from consumers trading down: The discount retailers profit when consumers become price-conscious.

Consumer spending grew an upwardly revised 3.1% in Q1: While many consumers expect the current inflationary shock to be temporary, rising prices are eating into companies’ bottom lines.

China’s COVID-19 lockdowns severely impacted Alibaba: Despite significant challenges across its business units, the retailer still beat expectations.

Retailers take multiple approaches to inventory as supply chain woes wear on: Companies like Utz and DSW are cutting down on SKUs while Walmart and Target are stocking up early.

Mastercard signed deals with Sokin, i2C, and One Global to launch cards and mobile wallet solutions as cash use quickly falls across the region.

Consumers are ditching the sweatpants and buying new clothes: That’s propelling apparel sales at retailers such as Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters, and Express in Q1.

Working with the restaurant delivery software provider lets Block build out its Square for Restaurants suite.

Amazon wants to counteract the effects of pandemic-induced overbuilding: The ecommerce giant is reducing its warehouse footprint and using gig drivers to deliver packages from mall-based retailers.

Despite strong demand for luxury, online retailers like Net-a-Porter struggle: Richemont’s mixed earnings show brick-and-mortar is still king.

eBay doubles down on collectibles to maintain ecommerce relevance: The online marketplace is launching an NFT collection and pop-up shop aimed at sneakerheads as it seeks to turn connoisseurs into loyal shoppers.

Uber and DoorDash are ending their gas subsidy programs: That’s despite the national average price for a gallon of gas setting a new record every day since May 10.

Walmart expands drone deliveries to six states: The retailer is also adding robots to warehouses across the country to speed up its delivery times.

Insider Intelligence recently released a new Spotlight report, Modernizing Medical Payments. The full report details consumers’ escalating medical debt burden and explore why providers must modernize their payment infrastructures. Below, we highlight the big trend and 3 key findings.