Some furniture companies are seeing a boom in commercial and office clients as they create modern office spaces.

Analysis

Job seekers encounter a ‘brutal and frustrating’ hiring market in e-commerce

August 19, 2024

The U.S. is undergoing what several journalists and economists have called a “white-collar recession,” as corporations course-correct from the overhiring they did during Covid. And it's hitting e-commerce hard.

Retail space availability has reached its lowest point in decades

August 06, 2024

As retailers push into new cities and brands lean hard into brick-and-mortar as a strategy, it has become incredibly difficult to find space for a new storefront.

Other news to know

  • Retail store credit card interest rates reached a record high in early September and far surpassed other credit cards.
  • Big Lots received interim court approval for $550 million in bankruptcy financing after the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday, providing the retailer liquidity to continue normal operations through the bankruptcy process.
  • Walmart plans to roll out Caroline’s Carts in all of its locations in 11 states. The carts are designed to help caregivers of children and adults with disabilities navigate the stores more easily.
30.45%
Average interest rate for retail store credit cards
Top Stories Sep 14

How subscription brands are battling record credit card debt and chargebacks

September 13, 2024

Credit card charge reversals are becoming more common as shoppers wise up to their recurring spending. That behavior is now hurting subscription-reliant startups.

Marketplace Briefing: How Temu is pitching its platform, and the U.S. market, to merchants

September 12, 2024

After two years of rapid growth in the U.S., Temu is emphasizing its meteoric rise in its pitch to merchants, even as its parent company faces a cloudy outlook ahead. 

How outdoors brand Backcountry lost its way

September 12, 2024

After hitting close to $1 billion in sales during the Covid era, Backcountry has landed at a portfolio company known for scooping up struggling brands. Some former employees say it's become a watered-down brand.

Why Academy Sports + Outdoors is pushing forward with store openings amid a tough economic environment

September 12, 2024

The sporting goods category has seen a slowdown the last few quarters, and analysts say Academy Sports + Outdoors has struggled more than others. But the company continues to open new stores, fueled by hundreds of millions in cash on hand.

Limited Series
The modern brand's guide to doing more with less

It’s a strange time to be operating a consumer brand. Shoppers are more selective about what they spend and brands are struggling with how to interpret signs of conflicting consumer behavior. While many brands were recentlyswimming in cash, VC funding has now dried up and high interest rates make vehicles like debt less palatable. In this series, Modern Retail looks at the scrappy ways companies are continuing to build their brands and wow shoppers in this strange new operating environment

Podcasts

Technology

digital marketplaces

Introducing Modern Retail’s Marketplace Briefing

September 12, 2024

Modern Retail’s Amazon Briefing is becoming the Marketplace Briefing. Here’s why.

How Roblox’s Shopify partnership lays the groundwork for e-commerce in the metaverse

September 11, 2024

Roblox is teaming up with Shopify to sell physical items directly to users as the gaming company looks to become a three-dimensional virtual shopping mall.

How eyewear brand Revo is reinventing itself

August 08, 2024

Revo CEO Cliff Robinson joined the Modern Retail Podcast and spoke about the performance eyewear brand’s new strategy and what’s ahead.

Marketing

Inside popcorn brand LesserEvil’s first national marketing campaign

September 11, 2024

Nearly 20 years after its launch, LesserEvil is now a national popcorn brand and is on track to do around $165 million in revenue this year. Now, the company is embarking on its first national marketing campaign.

Illustration with a pan, a jar and underwear with tags spelling out D-T-C.

DTC Briefing: How brands are using Shopify Collective, the platform’s cross-selling tool

September 10, 2024

Last summer, Shopify rolled out Collective, a cross-selling tool. While the brands that use it say Shopify Collective only accounts for a small portion of their sales still, they say it’s been useful in gauging demand for future products.

How Sephora is evolving its loyalty program

September 10, 2024

Sephora is adding perks to its Beauty Insider loyalty program to stay top-of-mind with beauty fans. Most recently, it held a special event for its highest spenders.

Operations

money boat

Meet Nexus Capital, the private equity firm that wants to save Big Lots

September 11, 2024

Under a proposed deal, struggling discount retailer Big Lots would find itself with a selection of sibling companies as varied as its own product catalog: from military infrastructure to vegan vitamin gummies to Dollar Shave Club.

‘You’ve got a little billboard to work with’: How smoothie brand Kencko revamped its products and packaging after launching in Walmart

September 10, 2024

Kencko is launching a $5 two-pack and three new types of products almost a year and a half after its Walmart debut.

How brands and retailers benefit from sharing retail data

August 01, 2024

In the evolving retail landscape, staying competitive across digital platforms and marketplaces means retailers must seek ways to differentiate themselves. This desire and need for growth is driving some retailers to make their audience and sales data available, presenting a powerful opportunity for brands hungry for new consumer insights. Retailers are winning leverage by investing […]