Retail News

Adobe data on packaging, unboxings, and included elements shows that shoppers are very receptive to high-quality, standout or attractive, and personalized packaging. A vast majority (73% of those surveyed) said premium packaging improves brand perception (more).

Amazon delivered crushing wins on both the net income and sales metrics as its AWS cloud computing unit saw massive gains of 36.7% (to $42.2 billion) versus the year-prior period. Net income soared to $62.6 billion versus $18.2 billion the year prior, and net sales improved by 20% to $200.6 billion (more).

Yum Brands indicated that Taco Bell sales were down 2% quarter-to-date through July 27, with execs stating that the negative impact tied to the high-profile Cyclospora outbreak is nearly over. “It is early days, but in the subsequent week [following July 18, where the issue created the harshest hit to sales], sales declines have moderated materially, and we are seeing steady improvement in day-over-day sales trends,” Yum Brands CFO Ranjith Roy said (more).

Chevron and ExxonMobil both delivered very high Q2 profits largely backed by surging oil prices tied to the U.S.-Iran conflict. Chevron’s net income was notched at $12 billion (a ~4x uptick versus the same period last year), while Exxon’s profits reached $14.5 billion versus $7.1 billion during the same time frame in 2025 (more).

New Balance is set to open a 4,400-square-foot flagship store in Los Angeles on July 30, located at The Grove shopping center. “More than a store, it is a powerful expression of our premium brand – deepening our connection to the dynamic Los Angeles market by bringing together elevated storytelling, authentic athlete and ambassador connections, and inspiring experiences that help consumers discover their personal style,” said Tracy Knauer, SVP North America for New Balance (more).

Kohl’s has unanimously elected Wendy Arlin to serve as its next chairperson, replacing John Schlifske after a 15-year tenure. “Wendy is a deeply thoughtful and principled director who will excel in leading the board as chair,” said Kohl’s CEO and board director Michael Bender (more).

Shell beat expectations around expected earnings for its Q2, delivering $9.84 billion on that metric against $8.79 anticipated. “What we have been trying to build is a company that is able to thrive through volatility. So, you’re absolutely right, of course, the macro is such that the commodity prices are high and that provides a very strong tailwind for our results,” Shell CEO Wael Sawan (more).

Microsoft used its strong financial results during its fourth quarter to call for continued capital expenditures throughout the rest of 2026. EPS came in at $4.74 adjusted versus $4.24 expected, per LSEG, and revenue at $90.01 billion against $87.62 billion anticipated (more).

American Eagle will be opening a new distribution center in Salisbury, North Carolina, with the investment totaling $41 million while resulting in approximately 200 full-time jobs. “We’re proud to have a presence in Rowan County and are excited about what this facility means for the long-term growth of our supply chain and distribution network,” Jay Schottenstein, executive chairman and CEO of American Eagle Outfitters, said (more).

Ford showed up with a strong Q2 report card, delivering beats on EPS ($0.42 versus $0.36 anticipated) as well as revenue ($44.89 billion against $44.72 expected). As a result, Ford lifted its guidance, with a projected EBIT of $10 billion-$11 billion as compared to $8.5 billion to $10.5 billion previously (more).