Mattel is launching a branded storefront on TikTok Shop as it looks to get ahead in live commerce.

Tariffs

Big-Box Briefing: Retailers get direct tariff relief. Their shoppers likely won’t

August 27, 2026

Tariff refunds are great news for the corporate balance sheets of big-box retailers, and less so for consumers tightly squeezing their wallets.

Walmart gets close to $3 billion in tariff refunds

August 20, 2026

Tariff refunds continue to bolster the balance sheets of big retailers while consumers remain constrained by higher fuel prices and other macroeconomic factors.

Other news to know

  • Inside Walmart’s evolution
  • Walmart+, the retailer’s paid membership program, has launched in Canada, marking the first time it has been available outside of the U.S.
  • Walmart announced it would begin delivering Subway items as part of Express Delivery, either on its own or alongside other products such as groceries. 
  • Walmart executives are now training associates to use AI widely throughout the organization.
  • Walmart has announced Upstream Facility Services, a new business through which it will sell its in-house maintenance services to other U.S. companies.
Top Stories Nov 11

Brands Briefing: Dr. Martens revamps stores to kickstart growth and ‘recontextualize the brand’

November 10, 2026

Dr. Martens is updating its store fleet to appeal to the next generation of shoppers.

The Next Gen Store Awards: How Anthropologie, Diptyque and others are transforming the in-store experience

November 10, 2026

The first-ever Next Gen Store Awards winners reflect a retail landscape in which the in-store experience is becoming increasingly important to how brands attract and engage customers. The winning concepts combined creative design, technology and thoughtful storytelling to demonstrate how physical retail can create value beyond the transaction.  Experiential store formats and creative displays gave […]

Exclusive: TikTok Shop launches a paid premium tier for 1M of its top US shoppers

November 09, 2026

TikTok Shop is opening up a new paid membership program called TikTok Shop Plus in time for the competitive holiday season.

How Azuna’s strong supply chain fuels its 9-figure sales

November 09, 2026

For the 7-year-old air-freshener alternative brand Azuna, topping nine figures in annual online revenue has required aggressive inventory strategies that enable buffer time and vertical control.

Poppi founder Allison Ellsworth on launching Jetty, a new hydration brand

November 09, 2026

Poppi founder Allison Ellsworth is launching Jetty, a better-for-you lower-sodium hydration brand targeted at everyday consumer use.

How delivery apps came to be ‘discovery platforms’

November 07, 2026

DoorDash’s Instacart deal shows delivery apps investing further into retail discovery, ad tech and AI-driven shopping.

Foot Locker puts employees front and center in its holiday campaign

November 06, 2026

Foot Locker's seasonal campaign, called "Joy to the Sole," is indicative of the company's new marketing direction as it looks to spur growth.

Tariffs

What to know about new proposed tariffs on Canadian goods

July 24, 2026

A fresh round of Trump tariffs on Canadian goods were announced this week that target industries like dairy, alcohol and automobiles.

Nike says it expects $986 million in IEEPA tariff refunds

June 30, 2026

Nike says it’s in a better financial position as it awaits nearly $1 billion in refunds related to IEEPA tariffs.

Marketplace Briefing: Online merchants welcome Trump customs crackdown amid wave of tariff evasion pitches

June 11, 2026

Online merchants are encouraged by a new Trump administration effort to crack down on customs fraud after a surge in tariff evasion schemes rattled sellers over the past year.

Podcasts

Technology

Amazon says more than 400M customers have used Alexa for Shopping in the last 12 months

October 29, 2026

Customers who use Alexa for Shopping are spending 50% more than those who don’t, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said during the earnings call on Thursday. 

NBCUniversal’s shoppable TV business is seeing a boost from shows like ‘Traitors’ and ‘Love Island USA’

October 19, 2026

NBCU is developing shoppable television across its own platforms, like Peacock, as well as third-party platforms, like LG TVs. Now, viewers can buy products from about 12 of their favorite shows, including “Top Chef” and “Below Deck.”

Why holiday returns demand fresh thinking from retailers

October 23, 2026

Tony D’Onofrio, president, Sensormatic Solutions  The holiday season is a time to unplug. Schedules become more flexible, families come together and many workplaces shift into a lower gear — except for those working in retail. Then, the holiday experience is something altogether different.  Far from a signal that relief from the grind is near, it’s […]

Marketing

K-beauty brand Laneige bets on experiential retail with a mix-and-match lip mask station

November 06, 2026

Laneige, a Korean beauty brand known for its lip masks and moisturizers, is stepping up its experiential retail efforts as it targets global growth.

Holiday display at Target

Modern Retail+ Research: Brands’ focus on owned channels wavers for the 2026 holiday season

November 05, 2026

A new Modern Retail+ Research report examines which commerce channels are dominating marketers’ holiday strategies.

Brands Briefing: Bag charms are the hot new trend in branded CPG merch

November 03, 2026

Companies from Kraft Natural Cheese to Cava are rolling out food-themed bag charms to stay top of mind with young consumers.

Operations

Big-Box Briefing: The themes that will dominate Jason Bonfig’s tenure as Best Buy’s new CEO

November 05, 2026

The biggest electronics retailer in the U.S. ushered in a new era this week. On Nov. 1, Jason Bonfig — a 27-year Best Buy veteran who most recently served as the company’s chief customer, product and fulfillment officer — became the CEO. He succeeds Corie Barry.

High-protein holiday treats are here

November 05, 2026

Products like high-protein peppermint bark and hot cocoa are taking up more shelf space this holiday season at retailers like Target.

Live session: How marketers are scaling one-on-one customer conversations with AI

October 15, 2026

Marketers are under immense pressure to deliver more relevant, personalized customer experiences on-demand. AI has now widened the realm of what’s possible across the customer journey — from answering consumers’ questions to proactively addressing concerns before they derail a purchase. Join Mia D’Antonio, account director at ElevenLabs, Gillian O’Brien, retail product marketing lead at ElevenLabs, […]

How Stitch Fix is using AI and customer feedback to build its private brands

November 04, 2026

Stitch Fix is going narrow and deep with its private brands, a strategy it says is contributing to revenue growth.