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Covering the latest news in the retail industry

  • July 24, 2025

    • U.S. consumers frequently engage in retail therapy in order to improve their mood, with 47% saying as much, per a LendingTree survey. An even higher percentage, 54%, believe retail therapy can act as a form of self care (via Chain Store Age).
    • The American Automotive Policy Council, which represents the “Big Three” American automakers in General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis, has stated objections to President Trump’s tariff agreement with Japan. Representatives for the council claim the agreement offers Japanese imports an unfair advantage (via CNN Business).
    • Hasbro and Mattel both reported falling toy sales during the second quarter, attributed to delayed orders from retailers concerned over potential price increases. Regardless, both companies also stated that they were well-positioned in the face of ongoing tariffs (via Forbes).
    • Tesla share prices tumbled in morning trading July 24 following a troubling Q2 report. The automaker reported adjusted net income of $1.4 billion, a YoY 23% drop, representing a fall of $419 million (via CNN Business).
    • Tractor Supply reported strong Q2 results, including a 4.5% increase in net store sales to $4.44 billion, up from $4.25 billion. Net income improved by 1.1% to $430 million (via Chain Store Age).
    • Walmart executives signaled that traditional search bars could become obsolete in the face of AI-driven multimodal interfaces offered by its new Sparky tool. The stated goal is to reduce, or even eliminate, the need for customers to search at all (via Forbes).
    • McDonald’s may have shuttered its CosMc’s concept, but the brand lives on in some fashion via news that the fast-food chain plans to test new coffee drinks, refreshers, and flavored sodas in 500 restaurants. Said restaurants will largely be located in Colorado, Wisconsin, and surrounding areas (via CNBC).
    • Nestle CEO Laurent Freixe said he was “satisfied” with sweeping price hikes implemented earlier this year, but also that the company “might need a little bit more” pricing action in the future. Freixe called the current situation wherein two of the company’s major commodities have reached historical highs an “unprecedented scenario” (via CNBC).
    • Amazon has acquired startup AI wearables company Bee. Bee CEO Maria de Lourdes Zollo said of the acquisition that the company aims to “bring truly personal, agentic AI to even more customers” (via The Verge).
    • Albertsons has named Brian Monahan to helm its retail media wing, Albertsons Media Collective. Monahan previously served as global client president and head of retail media solutions at Dentsu International, and also spent three years as VP of marketing for Walmart.com (via Chain Store Age).

  • July 23, 2025

    • Back-to-school shoppers appear to be increasingly interested in shopping brick-and-mortar locations, according to ICSC survey data. A full 59% of respondents expect to do the bulk of their BTS shopping in physical stores, contrasted against 17% who expect to shop fully online (via Chain Store Age).
    • Walmart has reiterated its position of aggressively taking on bad actors and counterfeit merchandise seeking a foothold on the Walmart.com marketplace. The retailer has committed to enhancing controls, AI oversight, and secure onboarding of vendors to improve the experience for online shoppers (via Walmart).
    • Hershey has indicated price hikes on its chocolate products are coming, telling retail partners to expect an “lower double-digit range” increase from its side. Rising cocoa prices were underscored as the culprit driving the price increase (via CNN Business).
    • Tesla is slated to deliver Q2 earnings following stock market close on July 23. Analysis consensus projects an EPS decline of 23%, to $0.40, and a revenue fall of 13%, to $22.28 billion (via Investor’s Business Daily).
    • Target has announced a “Back-to-School-idays” sales event featuring discounts of up to 30% on related items. The sale runs from July 27 through August 2, and can be shopped via the retailer’s physical stores or online (via Target).
    • American Eagle has kicked off a new ad campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney in advance of the lucrative back-to-school season. A curated collection, titled “Syd’s Edit,” and a limited-edition jacket are just some of the exclusive offerings spurred by the campaign (via WWD).
    • McDonald’s is enjoying a surge in traffic due to the re-introduction of its iconic snack wraps. According to data, more than 90% of those who bought a wrap would repeat that behavior, and traffic has climbed since the wraps were brought back to restaurant menus (via CNBC).
    • JCPenney is also hopping on the BTS ad campaign bandwagon, launching its “Back-to-it” campaign in conjunction with its successful “Yes, JCPenney” initiative. Several ad spots are slated to run on traditional TV and online platforms (via MediaPost).
    • Johanna Foods, a U.S.-based importer and seller of orange juice, has sued the Trump administration over the threatened 50% tariffs on imported goods from Brazil. The company alleges that said tariffs would result in a $70 million hit to its business (via CNN Business).
    • Del Taco is in the midst of a phased 17-location reopening plan spanning the state of Colorado. The reopenings occur as Del Taco parent Jack in the Box looks into a sale of the Mexican chain (via Chain Store Age).

  • July 22, 2025

    • U.S. retailers are facing mounting price pressure due to consumers becoming increasingly value-driven, according to a new Consumer Edge study. Higher-income and younger Americans are both exhibiting signs of trading down, benefiting Walmart and Dollar General among others (via Chain Store Age).
    • Walmart plans to turn Vizio into an entirely private label brand, meaning that Vizio TVs will soon only be sold at Walmart and Sam’s Club. Walmart completed the acquisition of Vizio in 2024 (via Bloomberg).
    • Coca-Cola has confirmed earlier reports, first coming from President Trump, that it will be releasing a new product made with cane sugar. “This addition is designed to complement the company’s strong core portfolio and offer more choices across occasions and preferences,” the company said in a statement (via CNN Business).
    • General Motors saw profits decline by 35% in Q2, including a $1.1 billion hit attributed to tariffs. Despite this, the automaker maintained its full-year financial outlook, which was lowered in May (via AP News).
    • Imprint, a five-year-old credit card startup, has landed a significant deal to launch a co-branded American Express card alongside Rakuten. Imprint recently raised $70 million in additional capital, for a total valuation of $900 million, less than a year out from its previous round (via CNBC).
    • Target is altering its price match program, restricting it to items purchased at its own stores or website which see price reductions within two weeks of having been bought. Walmart and Amazon prices, notably, are no longer eligible for price matching under this policy (via CNN Business).
    • Skims has reached a partnership deal with League One Volleyball, a women’s volleyball league. “This partnership with LOVB is an exciting opportunity to expand our reach at the intersection of fashion, culture and sports,” said Skims co-founder and CEO Jens Grede (via CNBC).
    • PepsiCo is introducing a prebiotic cola into its product lineup. “Pepsi Prebiotic Cola” will contain 5 grams of sugar, 3 grams of prebiotic fibers, and come in at 30 calories per can (via CNN Business).
    • Subway has decided upon a new CEO, with former Burger King exec Jonathan Fitzpatrick stepping into the role. Prior to his new post, Fitzpatrick served as president and CEO of Driven Brands (via Chain Store Age).
    • Guitar Center has launched Rig Advisor, a mobile AI-based tool to help customers navigate inventory in real-time, while also providing on-the-fly product comparisons and gear loadouts (via Chain Store Age).

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