The retail media revolution is coming for the end cap, one of the most recognizable shelf placements in any store.

Tariffs

Brands Briefing: Founders hope for a ‘dependable and stable’ 2026 after the chaos of 2025 

January 20, 2026

As brands plan for 2026, they are determined to not have their growth initiatives upended by another year of macroeconomic uncertainty.

‘Quitting wasn’t an option’: How tariffs took an emotional and financial toll on founders in 2025

December 30, 2025

Many founders had to completely upend their business models in 2025 due to tariffs, resorting to production delays, raising prices and putting off hiring to save their businesses.

Other news to know

  • Retailers respond to ICE
  • On the Modern Retail Podcast, the hosts discuss how the growing presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in cities like Minneapolis is impacting retail
  • As ICE agents occupy Minneapolis, consumer brands are taking to social media to call for action, raise money and spread information.
  • Retail leaders are finding themselves having to walk on a tightrope as they respond to the bloodshed happening in their hometown while avoiding language directly condemning the federal administration or local officials.
  • Target has sent corporate employees a page with answers to FAQs related to ICE’s increased presence in Minnesota, as it avoids commenting on high-profile incidents at its stores.
Top Stories Feb 16

Frida Baby faces backlash over the use of sexual innuendos in marketing

February 13, 2026

Consumers are calling to boycott the baby products brand Frida Baby over its use of sexual innuendos in marketing, including references to "threesomes."

Modern Retail Podcast: The dawn of DTC 3.0

February 14, 2026

Two founders from the heyday of the direct-to-consumer era join the Modern Retail podcast this week to discuss the model's latest phase: DTC 3.0.

Dutch Bros plans more locations in 2026 after growing revenue by nearly 30% in 2025

February 13, 2026

Dutch Bros is on a tear, with revenue growing nearly 30% over last year. Now, it aims to have 2,029 locations by 2029, with about 181 stores on deck to open this year.

UrbanStems and Quince say wine is driving bigger Valentine’s Day sales

February 13, 2026

In the run-up to Valentine's Day, companies including UrbanStems and Quince have added wine to their assortments. They say it's driving higher attachment rates compared to other potential add-ons.

Tariffs

‘Quitting wasn’t an option’: How tariffs took an emotional and financial toll on founders in 2025

December 30, 2025

Many founders had to completely upend their business models in 2025 due to tariffs, resorting to production delays, raising prices and putting off hiring to save their businesses.

The winners and losers of tariffs

December 29, 2025

This year, tariffs kicked in at their highest rate since the Great Depression, completely upending the retail industry. In turn, Modern Retail rounded up the biggest winners and losers of all the changes in tariff policy this year.

The year of Thriftmas: Why secondhand gifts could finally go mainstream this holiday season

December 16, 2025

Secondhand gifts are shedding their stigma this holiday season as shoppers, squeezed by tariffs and inflation, turn to thrift stores and resale platforms for thoughtful, lower-cost presents.

Podcasts

Technology

Marketplace Briefing: Why Shopify believes ‘no one is better positioned to lead’ in the AI shopping era

February 12, 2026

Shopify is forecasting another quarter of strong growth as it tries to position itself as a leader in emerging AI shopping tools.

AI is changing how retailers select tech partners

February 09, 2026

The quick rise of artificial intelligence-powered tools has reshaped retailers’ process of selecting technology partners for anything from marketing to supply chain to merchandising.

How retailers are reducing guest checkout friction

October 28, 2025

Cori Voorhees, Partner Marketing Manager, Adobe It’s a busy evening, and a shopper is trying to squeeze in some quick gift buying after work. She finds a site with a gift on her list and adds it to her cart. Prompted to log in or create an account, she chooses guest checkout instead. She enters […]

Marketing

Legacy skin-care brands are restructuring PDPs to stay visible in GEO AI search

February 12, 2026

As generative AI reshapes product discovery, Borghese and RoC outline how they are rebuilding PDPs, content and search strategy to maintain visibility.

Thrive Market’s Amina Pasha believes brands that focus on trust will win in an AI-first world

February 11, 2026

Amina Pasha, chief marketing officer at Thrive Market, believes building trust is the most important way brands can differentiate themselves as algorithms fragment the customer journey and AI reshapes discovery.

In a still from Manscaped's Super Bowl ad, electric shaving tools sit on a counter next to anthropomorphized clumps of hair

Brands Briefing: Manscaped uses the Super Bowl to usher in a new brand platform

February 10, 2026

Manscaped, a 10-year-old startup known for below-the-belt grooming tools, ran its first-ever Super Bowl ad on Sunday. It comes at an important inflection point for the brand.

Operations

‘A command-and-control operator’: Kroger’s new CEO was a key leader in transforming Walmart

February 12, 2026

Expectations are high for Kroger’s new CEO, Greg Foran, considering his reputation in the industry and previous track record at Walmart.

How Boll & Branch leverages AI for operational and creative tasks

February 12, 2026

Katia Unlu, the chief commercial officer at the bedding brand Boll & Branch, broke down how the DTC brand uses generative AI tools like Gemini and ChatGPT for daily tasks at Digiday Media’s recent AI Marketing Strategies event.

How retailers can address the Black Friday trust crisis one shopper at a time

November 26, 2025

John Shapiro, Chief Product and Technology Officer, Lightspeed Commerce From November to the start of the new year, this season marks one of the busiest times for retailers around the globe — and one they prepare for months in advance. According to the National Retail Federation, 91% of consumers plan to celebrate the winter holidays, […]