Retail & Ecommerce

On today's podcast episode, we launch our inaugural 'The Unofficial Most Interesting Retailers List' for January. Arielle, Becky, and Sara (a.k.a. The Committee) have put together a very unofficial list of 8 retailers they're watching right now, based on which retailers are making the most interesting moves this month. Who's launching new initiatives? What partnerships move the needle? What stand-out marketing campaigns are there? On future episodes, we’ll have analysts dispute this power rankings list, but on today's show we layout our top 8 for January. Join our analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts analyst Arielle Feger and director of content Becky Schilling.

Walmart plans to broaden its physical footprint: After years of keeping its store count flat, the retailer intends to open or remodel over 150 stores in the next five years.

They want more nontraditional rewards, greater personalization, and less friction in the rewards process

The addition of BNPL at checkout can help improve credit access in a market where 70% of adults don’t have a credit card

The company used its proprietary stablecoin as the main funding instrument, highlighting the asset’s transfer benefits

Adidas acknowledges its financial performance is “not good”: The company plans to sell its remaining unsold Yeezy inventory rather than write it off as it seeks to recoup its losses.

H&M is in a tough spot: The fast-fashion retailer’s sales are weakening, even as competitors Zara and Shein soar.

UPS sees significant challenges ahead: After reporting a 9.3% decline in annual sales in 2023, the company expects sales to rise as little as 1.1% this year.

On today's podcast episode, our contestants compete in The Great Behind the Numbers Take Off, 2024 social trends edition, where they will try and cook up the most interesting predictions for the coming year. They'll discuss search becoming the next battleground for social commerce and why LinkedIn is about to get its day in the sun. Tune in to the discussion with our analysts Jasmine Enberg and Minda Smiley.

US consumers will spend $25.8 billion to celebrate Valentine’s Day: That’s down slightly from last year, as spending per household is expected to decline 3.6%.

It’s hard to deny social media’s influence on how consumers discover and even sometimes purchase products. But there are other platforms out there besides Instagram and TikTok that can help brands engage with consumers, especially when it comes to fashion.

TikTok is intent on growing livestream sales: The platform plans to open live studios and is testing ways to make all content shoppable, even as retailers shift focus to shoppable TV.

On today’s podcast episode, host Bill Fisher and our analysts Paul Briggs, Matteo Ceurvels, and Man-Chung Cheung each pitch their most dramatic predictions in their coverage regions for 2024, in hopes of securing "investment" from the other sharks. Can you be convinced to "invest" in their 2024 predictions?

Physical retail sales will grow 2.0% this year: But the value of brick-and-mortar storefronts extends far beyond direct sales, which is why retailers keep opening more stores.

UK consumer confidence is up, as is their disposable income: While that bodes well for retailers, they aren’t out of the woods yet.

The rollout includes AI-powered product recommendations and a one-click checkout experience. But in the fast-moving industry, these features could soon become commonplace among the major wallets

The company saw strong card spend in FY 2024 Q1, and its performance was also propped up by its diversification into value-added services

Delinquency rates are growing alongside consumer spending, but a peak in its growth may be in the near future

Retail media ad spend will make up over one-fifth of total US ad spending by 2027, per our forecast.

Last week, Target announced it was adding 1,000 new wellness-related products, some of which are priced at just $1.99.The retailer also launched an “online wellness destination” that consumers can visit for product recommendations, deals, meal inspirations, and wellness tips and tricks.