June 26, 2025

  • Walmart is testing “dark stores” — fulfillment centers closed to the public — in Dallas and Bentonville to speed up online delivery and better compete with Amazon (via Bloomberg).
  • Xiaomi has unveiled its new YU7 electric SUV at a price lower than Tesla’s Model Y, intensifying China’s EV price war. The launch drew over 200,000 pre-orders within minutes (via CNBC).
  • Walgreens reported higher sales and narrower losses in its latest quarter, driven by improvements in its U.S. healthcare segment and cost-cutting efforts, as it prepares to go private following its $10 billion sale to Sycamore (via The Wall Street Journal).
  • The Trump Organization has removed “Made in the USA” claims from its new T1 smartphone amid skepticism about domestic manufacturing, replacing the phrasing with “American-Proud Design” (via CNBC).
  • H&M shares jumped as the retailer saw stronger June sales and signs of a summer rebound, even as it faces weak quarterly results and rising tariff costs. The company may raise prices to stay competitive against fast-fashion rivals (via CNBC).
  • Daydream, a new AI-powered fashion app launched by retail veteran Julie Bornstein, makes online shopping easier and more personal by acting like a chatty personal stylist. It uses products from 8,000 brands and is backed by $50 million in funding (via Fast Company).
  • Walmart is updating its image with a new $1 billion headquarters, tech features like drone delivery and AI shopping, and more luxury products. The company aims to attract top workers and focus on digital sales, which are now profitable (via The New York Times).
  • Amazon plans to invest £40 billion ($54 billion) in the U.K. over the next three years to build new warehouses, upgrade facilities, and create thousands of jobs, a move welcomed by the British government as part of its economic growth strategy (via CNBC).
  • Spirit Halloween is hiring 50,000 seasonal workers to staff over 1,500 store locations across the U.S. and Canada for the 2025 Halloween season (via Spirit Halloween).
  • IKEA is slashing restaurant prices by up to 50% and offering free kids’ meals to attract budget-conscious shoppers. The company is also expanding its product range for older consumers in China and planning 58 new store openings worldwide (via CNBC).