July 18, 2025

  • Post-Amazon Prime Day events are ramping up. Figuring consumer spend could keep rolling, Wayfair and Urban Outfitters have kicked off their own sales events in the wake of Prime Day’s conclusion (via Chain Store Age).
  • China has placed export restrictions on tech required to produce EV batteries, which signals “a move to consolidate its dominance in the sector.” The move mirrors an action three months ago related to the export of rare earth elements and their magnets (via CNN Business).
  • Burberry sales in the Americas improved by 4% YoY in the three months leading up to June 28, with CEO Joshua Schulman indicating the results point to the “diversity of the luxury consumer that exists in that market.” The U.S. represents nearly one-fifth (19%) of Burberry’s business (via CNBC).
  • American Express reported record revenue in Q2 as cardholders increased spend by 7% versus last year’s figures. Despite this, however, AmEx share prices tumbled in morning trading (via Barron’s).
  • Tariffs remain top-of-mind for most American consumers, per the latest Numerator data. Its Tariff Sentiment tracker suggests 81% of those polled continue to expect their spending habits or shopping habits to see an adjustment in response to President Trump’s ongoing tariffs (via Chain Store Age).
  • Chevron has acquired Hess in a deal worth $53 billion following a dispute panel’s ruling against competitor Exxon concerning Hess assets in an oilfield off the coast of Guyana. Chevron stock ticked upward in early trading following release of the news (via Axios).
  • The U.S. House majority whip Tom Emmer has signaled that a number of bills, including the GENIUS Act which could enable retailers to issue their own stablecoin cryptocurrencies, will pass. Speculation has persisted that large retailers such as Amazon and Walmart could issue stablecoins, though this remains uncertain (via Politico).
  • Kroger partner Ocado signaled optimism that the U.S. grocer would continue to improve its e-commerce capabilities as a management swap occurs. The initial deal between the two called for 20 automated warehouses to be constructed, while only eight have so far gone into operation (via Reuters).
  • Juul will be allowed to keep its e-cigarettes on U.S. shelves due to a recent FDA authorization, following a 2022 federal ban which pushed the company to the edge of bankruptcy. Original tobacco and menthol flavor refills, in addition to the base vaporizer, will continue to be sold stateside (via The Wall Street Journal).
  • Igloo is launching a DTC customization program titled Igloo Custom. Shoppers will be able to emblazon its Little Playmate cooler with a variety of text, graphics, and photos (via Chain Store Age).