A new Target warehouse in Houston represents more than just a new building serving one region. It's potentially a new way in which the retailer's supply chain will operate throughout the U.S.

Tariffs

Why tariff refunds won’t necessarily go back to consumers

April 29, 2026

Thousands of U.S. retail companies are eagerly awaiting tariff refunds from the Trump administration. But not all of them will share that money with their customers -- even if shoppers think otherwise.

‘It’s like getting Taylor Swift tickets’: Brands rush to request tariff refunds, with some snags

April 21, 2026

The tariff refunds process has been smoother for some folks than others, according to conversations Modern Retail had with half a dozen brands and entrepreneurs.

Other news to know

  • Amazon sellers’ new struggles
  • Amazon hit pause on a controversial change to its advertising payment system after backlash from sellers who said the update would strain their finances.
  • Amazon merchants are bracing for more cash flow troubles and margin pressure this year, thanks to a bevy of new fees and policy changes. 
  • One major part of Amazon’s business was largely absent from CEO Andy Jassy’s annual shareholder letter this year: the millions of sellers who power the company’s marketplace.
Top Stories May 07

Inside RadioShack’s audio-fueled B-to-B revival

May 07, 2026

Since mid-2024, RadioShack has been operating a wholesale consumer electronics business, where it sells portable speakers, batteries, radios and even turntables.

Kraft Heinz wants to regain market share for its iconic foods like Kraft Mac & Cheese and Capri Sun

May 06, 2026

During its first-quarter earnings call on Wednesday, Kraft Heinz highlighted innovations it has made across its portfolio, from protein-packed Kraft Mac & Cheese to lactose-free Philadelphia cream cheese, to do a better job of catering to changing consumer preferences.

Nike alumni, now at Superfeet, want their insoles in ‘every shoe in the world’

May 06, 2026

As insoles brand Superfeet nears its 50th birthday, it's looking to grow beyond its running niche and become a household name among more kinds of athletes. Here's how its CMO and CEO — both Nike alumni — plan to do just that.

Brands Briefing: Anthropologie’s weddings business has become a powerful customer acquisition engine

May 05, 2026

Anthropologie's wedding business has grown "exponentially" in the last couple of years as brides look for different outfits for all parts of their big day, the brand said.

Modern Retail+ Research: Marketing workflows benefit from AI, but trust is still a barrier to adoption

May 06, 2026

Overall, the marketers who are incorporating AI into their workflows are seeing the benefits of the tech, but issues with trust and complexity are proving to be barriers to widespread adoption among marketers.

Tariffs

Why tariff refunds won’t necessarily go back to consumers

April 29, 2026

Thousands of U.S. retail companies are eagerly awaiting tariff refunds from the Trump administration. But not all of them will share that money with their customers — even if shoppers think otherwise.

‘It’s like getting Taylor Swift tickets’: Brands rush to request tariff refunds, with some snags

April 21, 2026

The tariff refunds process has been smoother for some folks than others, according to conversations Modern Retail had with half a dozen brands and entrepreneurs.

Why Dame is refunding $10,000 in tariff surcharges to customers

March 03, 2026

Dame is refunding customers who paid its “Trump Tariff Surcharge” last year, becoming one of the first brands to proactively return money tied to President Donald Trump’s now-invalidated tariffs.

Podcasts

Technology

How Ace Hardware built its employee AI assistant

May 05, 2026

Ace Hardware is a unique retailer, being a cooperative with more than 5,200 stores that are operated independently. As a result, its executives and development team took a careful approach in designing and implementing its new AI assistant to work throughout the chain.

Retailers are rushing to build AI apps. It’s unclear if shoppers will use them

May 01, 2026

Retailers and brands are launching shopping apps within ChatGPT and Claude at a rapid pace. But whether or not shoppers will embrace them at a rapid pace remains to be seen.

Retailers like Pact, MaryRuth’s and Ollie turn customer experience into a growth function

April 15, 2026

For years, the business case for customer experience was defensive: keep costs down, handle volume and prevent complaints from going viral. CX teams existed to contain damage, not create value. That framing is collapsing — and the retailers leading the shift aren’t just running their support operations more efficiently. They’re redefining the function of CX. […]

Marketing

UrbanStems CEO Meenakshi Lala fills her cart with handbags, Quince basics and unexpected florals

May 05, 2026

In the latest installment of “What’s in Your Cart,” the CEO of UrbanStems, Meenakshi Lala, shares her personal shopping habits with Modern Retail.

30 days of using za’atar the wrong way: How spice startup Hayati used repetition to hit 21,000 Instagram followers

April 30, 2026

With almost no budget to run ads, the founder of new za’atar brand Hayati set out to gain social media followers via a strategic Instagram Reels series.

Tractor Supply taps real customers for ads to stand out from AI-generated content 

April 30, 2026

Tractor Supply is leaning into real customers, local events and multi-channel marketing to drive spring traffic — especially in an age where customers are increasingly wary of AI-generated content.

Operations

How Molly Baz’s Ayoh managed the cost of reformulating its mayonnaise to swap seed oil for avocado oil

May 05, 2026

This month, Ayoh revamped its mayonnaise line with avocado oil, which the company says makes for a creamier and healthier recipe. But that decision came at a cost.

‘A shock to the system’: Roughly $300 billion in U.S. imports changed country of origin last year

May 04, 2026

Roughly $300 billion in U.S. imports changed country of origin last year, representing big shifts in where goods were coming from compared to the prior year, according to Kearney’s reshoring index.

Unpacked: How loyalty programs power lifecycle marketing strategies

April 16, 2026

This Unpacked guide, sponsored by SheerID, explores how loyalty is no longer earned through rewards alone; it’s built through relevance, transparency and sustained commitment to understanding customers over time.  Shifts in consumer behavior — specifically the desire for data privacy and instant, personalized recognition — and AI’s acceleration of the buying process are making traditional […]