Retail News

Per the latest Appriss Retail report, retailers lost $796 billion to shrink, return abuse, and fraud in 2025. However, “Returns overwhelmingly power the majority of financial loss that retailers endure,” said Michael Osborne, CEO of Appriss Retail (via Chain Store Age).

The U.S. economy showed sluggish growth in the fourth quarter, with Bureau of Economic Analysis data indicating GDP growth of 1.4% from October through December. That figure is far below the 3% anticipated by LSEG analysts for Q4 performance (via FOX Business).

DoorDash saw its stock rise after issuing a robust forecast for its operations in the near future, with demand seemingly increasing for its delivery services across various categories. “Beyond restaurants, the US grocery and retail categories showed strength, with DASH attracting more new consumers in 4Q25 than in any prior quarter and driving improved initial engagement among newer cohorts,” RBC Capital Markets analysts wrote (via Reuters).

Amazon has taken Walmart’s No. 1 spot as the world’s largest company in terms of sales, with Amazon pulling down $716.9 billion in 2025 versus Walmart’s $713.2 billion. Amazon’s lucrative cloud computing business is responsible for at least some of that sales result (via NPR).

Tariffs appeared to do little to halt U.S. imports, with the trade deficit increasing 2% to reach $1.24 billion. Imports increased almost 5%, while exports ticked upward by 6%. Imports of computer chips and other tech contributed to the high imports figure (via Al Jazeera).

Nestle has signaled an exit from the ice cream business, indicating it was seeking to sell its remaining business to joint venture partner Froneri. In its full-year earnings, Nestle suggested a refocus on four core categories of coffee, nutrition, pet care, and snacks and beverages (via CNN Business).

Ace Hardware notched both record fourth-quarter and full-year revenue, with fiscal 2025 coming in at $10 billion and Q4 at $2.5 billion. Net income, however, for both of those time frames fell versus year-prior levels (via Chain Store Age).

Toyota’s new C-HR is drawing mixed reviews from analysts, with critics suggesting it’s fun to drive but not as practical as hoped. Positives include AWD, 338 horsepower, and a unique but aggressive design — but range concerns, space issues, and overall practicality counterbalanced the good news (via Edmunds).

Etsy shares rose after news that it had sold Depop to eBay for $1.2 billion. Claiming a return to its core business, and having bought Depop just five years ago for ~$1.62 billion, Etsy recommitted to its fundamental product offering in statements offered (via CNBC).

Walmart delivered strong Q4 results, but Wall Street was seemingly unimpressed by guidance. U.S. comp sales (excluding fuel) improved by 4.6%, and global e-comm business soared by 24%. However, guidance of 3.5%-4.5% net growth and operating income growth of 6%-8% did little to impress Wall Street, with the bar being set high (via Axios).