Meta Lab plans to open six new locations this fall as it continues its push into wearables. The company took Modern Retail through its retail plans and addressed ongoing privacy concerns.

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 Sep 14

Kroger’s ad business sees most profit growth since 2021

September 11, 2026

Retail media is becoming increasingly critical to one of the nation's largest grocery chains as Kroger reported its best retail media profit growth since 2021.

Where Boll & Branch draws the line on AI-generated advertising

September 12, 2026

As companies take a stance on AI use, Boll & Branch is one of many brands integrating generative AI into their ad imagery and copy. On this week's episode of the Modern Retail Podcast, Boll & Branch Chief Creative Officer Kristen Deyko spoke about the brand's playbook and frameworks around the use of AI.

Reformation says active customers grew 23% in first public earnings report

September 11, 2026

Reformation touted the strength of its loyal customer base during its first call as a publicly traded company, as executives sought to sell Wall Street analysts on the power of its direct-to-consumer flywheel. 

Walgreens says it’s focused on ‘higher-performing’ ad placements as it tries again with digital screens

September 11, 2026

Walgreens wants to make digital in-store ad placements a bigger part of its retail media business. The chain plans to add digital screens with advertising and educational content in 1,200 of its stores beginning in October, a partnership with in-store media firm Looma.

Big-Box Briefing: Dick’s leans on youth sports in pitch to advertisers

September 10, 2026

The leader of Dick’s Sporting Goods’ advertising division hopes to recruit CPG brands, quick-service restaurants and even automakers to run campaigns in its stores and other channels. His pitch to brands and agencies last week centered around the retailer’s presence in youth sports.

Instacart launches custom AI assistants for retailers, and its own

September 09, 2026

Retail giants like Walmart, Kroger and Amazon have launched AI assistants allowing consumers to ask for recommendations or curated shopping lists. Now, Instacart has made it easier for other retailers such as regional grocers to follow in their footsteps.

Aerie soars in back-to-school sales, while American Eagle works to ‘balance’ denim

September 09, 2026

As the back-to-school season dies down, Aerie is continuing its hot streak. Meanwhile, American Eagle is still dealing with sales slumps as it works to reposition its denim business.

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

Illustration of a smartphone glowing with app icons, symbolizing the evolving digital infrastructure powering social commerce.

Walmart finally starts supporting Apple Pay and Google Pay

August 21, 2026

By the end of this year, shoppers will finally be able to use Apple Pay and Google Pay in Walmart stores, ending years of frustration that the retailer didn’t support what is now a nearly ubiquitous payment option.

Walmart extends Scintilla data platform to Sam’s Club

August 20, 2026

Sam’s Club merchants and brands will soon be able to use Walmart’s data analytics platform to better understand and predict member behavior.

The state of agentic storefronts: How AI agents guide shoppers on frictionless, full-funnel journeys

July 15, 2026

This State of the Industry report, sponsored by Swap, explores how brands, retailers and agencies are adopting agentic commerce, including agentic storefronts, to enhance shopping experiences. Artificial intelligence is the new entry point in e-commerce, as more shoppers rely on AI-powered summaries and assistants to discover products. Beyond discovery and product recommendations, AI agents are […]

Marketing

Lands' End's "Tote Tailgate Tour" event in Bloomington, Indiana.

Why Lands’ End is showing up at college football game days this fall

September 09, 2026

Lands’ End is doing a concerted marketing push around college football this fall, as part of its quest to introduce the brand to more people. Chief Marketing Officer Sarah Sylvester, who joined the company a little over six months ago, spoke with Modern Retail about why she thinks college football game days are a moment that Lands’ End can own.

instagram cards

Brands Briefing: Instagram DMs are proving to be a gold mine for product development

September 08, 2026

Made In, Plainspeak and Springrose are among the brands turning to Instagram DMs to collect feedback, talk with shoppers and source ideas for new products at a time in which digital marketing costs continue to skyrocket.

How 11 retail media networks are trying to differentiate themselves to advertisers

September 08, 2026

After the launch of many different retail media networks over the past few years, all these new divisions of various consumer-facing companies are now fighting for ad dollars. That brought many of them to New York City last week. Modern Retail attended the majority of the presentations, gathering how each worked to differentiate itself from the crowd.

Operations

Woman holding a Nori steamer

From prototype to Target shelves, inside Nori’s 10-month development timeline

September 14, 2026

The Nori Cloud launched in Target in July 2026 after a 10-month development timeline.

Hulken races to build up inventory ahead of holiday season sales spike

September 08, 2026

Adding stock is the key to Hulken’s holiday strategy in 2026 as it embraces a larger wholesale presence. Here’s how the brand is preparing for its busiest Q4 yet.

As online eyewear matures, GlassesUSA’s parent company doubles down on vertical integration

September 09, 2026

Online eyewear has reached a new phase of maturity, as consumers grow more confident purchasing prescription products digitally and as retailers invest in faster fulfillment, improved fit technology and more seamless omnichannel journeys. Sponsored by Optimax Eyewear Group.

How clinical research is being used as a growth engine

September 07, 2026

Companies like AG1, Ritual and Blueland are investing in clinical research as a way to fuel brand growth. Executives at these companies share why they think it’s an important differentiator.