Food service brands like Starbucks, Dunkin’ and Wawa are using limited-edition fashion merchandise to reach new audiences and build everyday brand loyalty.

Tariffs

Fuel, freight and tariff costs are complicating holiday importing

August 03, 2026

Higher fuel and freight costs are driving up prices for importers during the peak season.

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.

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 Aug 04

Modern Retail+ Research: The 2026 guide to holiday marketing strategies, including A-Frame Brands, Mastercard and Ritual

August 04, 2026

Modern Retail+ Research examined which commerce channels are dominating marketers’ holiday strategies, what discounts brands and retailers are offering, and what revenue expectations are guiding their marketing decisions ahead of the critical fourth quarter.

Fuel, freight and tariff costs are complicating holiday importing

August 03, 2026

Higher fuel and freight costs are driving up prices for importers during the peak season.

Circle K gets serious about retail media

August 03, 2026

Circle K is more openly promoting and expanding its retail media network, Full Circle Media, as a way for advertisers to reach shoppers across its convenience stores, fuel pumps and digital channels in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

Why Marriott is turning hotel rooms into showrooms

August 03, 2026

Marriott's new online Design Shop takes inspiration from specific hotels and destinations as it seeks to drive more retail sales.

Retail’s new operating model centers on leaner teams, smarter data and physical community

August 03, 2026

The conversation around AI has moved well beyond experimentation. At the recent Glossy & Modern Retail Brand Leaders Dinner, with partner Global Payments, founders and executives shared how they're using artificial intelligence to automate operations, rethink hiring, build internal knowledge platforms and refine marketing strategies. But despite the rapid adoption, attendees agreed that the businesses best positioned to win will still be those that invest in community, physical retail and experiences AI cannot replicate.

The cyclospora outbreak is creating a PR headache for food businesses  

August 01, 2026

A cyclospora outbreak from lettuce, and potentially other fresh produce, is testing how food brands respond to moments of crisis and build consumer trust.

Amazon says groceries and essentials are growing ‘meaningfully faster’ than the rest of its Stores business

July 30, 2026

Amazon wants to become an even more vital part of shoppers’ lives, as it prioritizes growing sales of groceries, prescriptions and other essential products. The company said on Thursday during its second-quarter earnings results that sales of groceries and everyday essentials grew “meaningfully faster” than the rest of its Stores 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

Orange grocery bag containing a carrot, apple, baguette, bottle of wine and milk carton on a green background

Schnucks’ new health-tracking AI assistant is a model for other retailers

July 27, 2026

St. Louis-based regional grocer Schnucks just launched a new AI assistant, but behind it is a larger idea around how agents could eventually take over the shopping process and help people eat healthier.

Michaels says Google-powered AI assistant doubles conversion rate of traditional search

July 24, 2026

Michaels has lifted the curtain on how its new Google Gemini-powered AI assistant has performed so far.

Live case study: Building real-time marketing campaigns in fast-moving and highly regulated industries

July 27, 2026

When an industry can shift in hours, marketing and technology stacks have to keep up. From real-time decisioning to compliant, high-impact customer engagement, marketers need to rethink how they produce and manage advertising content across channels and markets to thrive in this modern age. Join Alexander Griffiths, senior customer success director at Celtra, and Maciej […]

Marketing

How new wellness brand Plainspeak is using mail-in samples to acquire customers

July 30, 2026

New women’s wellness brand Plainspeak is using USPS mail-in samples to drive subscriptions for its women’s supplement, sidestepping paid ads. The founders are betting on the analog strategy to build a loyal customer base.

Nike, Lululemon hit with lawsuits alleging deceptive ‘phantom discounts’

July 30, 2026

The retail industry is facing a significant surge in legal scrutiny as “phantom discount” practices come under fire, and major brands like Lululemon and Nike have been hit with lawsuits in recent weeks.

Walmart_Creators

Modern Retail+ Research: Brands are expanding their creator marketing strategies

July 28, 2026

As brands expand their creator marketing strategies, they are increasingly tapping influencers for more than just awareness campaigns. Many are partnering with creators to help drive seasonal campaigns, support product launches and, in some cases, even help develop products.

Operations

Brands Briefing: Why apparel IPOs are creeping back up

August 04, 2026

Fashion companies are slowly shrugging off the IPO slump that has plagued the consumer-goods industry over the last several years.

Big-Box Briefing: Walmart takes over parts of Sam’s Club’s operations

July 30, 2026

Over the past couple of years, Walmart has been taking more control of Sam’s Club from the corporate level, from supply chain to e-commerce technology and retail media.

Playbook: Inside the next phase of retail media

May 13, 2026

Retail media has shifted from a niche tactic to a foundational advertising strategy. As the market landscape evolves, outcomes-focused channels are in the spotlight as more brands prioritize conversions. As retail media becomes a core part of the advertising mix, the next question is where it can drive the greatest impact. Because most sales still […]