Maryland passed the first U.S. law banning data-driven price hikes on groceries, but it stops short of restricting electronic shelf labels or frequent price changes.

Tariffs

Why tariff refunds won’t necessarily go back to consumers

April 29, 2026

Thousands of U.S. retail companies are eagerly awaiting tariff refunds from the Trump administration. But not all of them will share that money with their customers -- even if shoppers think otherwise.

‘It’s like getting Taylor Swift tickets’: Brands rush to request tariff refunds, with some snags

April 21, 2026

The tariff refunds process has been smoother for some folks than others, according to conversations Modern Retail had with half a dozen brands and entrepreneurs.

Other news to know

  • Amazon sellers’ new struggles
  • Amazon hit pause on a controversial change to its advertising payment system after backlash from sellers who said the update would strain their finances.
  • Amazon merchants are bracing for more cash flow troubles and margin pressure this year, thanks to a bevy of new fees and policy changes. 
  • One major part of Amazon’s business was largely absent from CEO Andy Jassy’s annual shareholder letter this year: the millions of sellers who power the company’s marketplace.
Top Stories May 14

Modern Retail+ Research: Marketers’ AI use rises, but tech skills stall

May 14, 2026

Modern Retail’s survey — which has been conducted annually since 2022 — found that marketers’ adoption of AI technology has risen significantly. In 2022, 44% of brand and agency pros said their companies were investing in AI technology. That percentage rose to 57% in 2023 and 71% in 2024, before hitting 86% in 2025.

Heineken shares its marketing strategy for the summer of soccer as World Cup hype ramps up

May 13, 2026

Heineken, while not an official World Cup sponsor, is getting in on the hype with limited-edition packs, watch parties and television ads.

Hims & Hers to launch an AI agent focused on the weight-loss journey amid strategic shifts related to GLP-1s

May 12, 2026

During its first-quarter earnings call on Monday, Hims & Hers brought on its chief technology officer, Mo Elshenawy, to talk up the company's AI investments. The company said it would "soon" launch an AI companion designed to support Hims & Hers users along their weight-loss journey, as it sees continued interest in GLP-1 usage.

Brands Briefing: Aerie drew thousands of applicants for its creator program with a key rule: no AI

May 12, 2026

No AI? No problem. Aerie's new nano-creator program bans the use of artificial intelligence — and people are lining up to participate.

Why Target killed its creator program, launched 2 new ones

May 12, 2026

Target recently launched two new creator programs, Club Target and Target Ambassadors. They're designed to cater to both everyday micro and nanoinfluencers as well as full-time content creators.

Tariffs

Why tariff refunds won’t necessarily go back to consumers

April 29, 2026

Thousands of U.S. retail companies are eagerly awaiting tariff refunds from the Trump administration. But not all of them will share that money with their customers — even if shoppers think otherwise.

‘It’s like getting Taylor Swift tickets’: Brands rush to request tariff refunds, with some snags

April 21, 2026

The tariff refunds process has been smoother for some folks than others, according to conversations Modern Retail had with half a dozen brands and entrepreneurs.

Why Dame is refunding $10,000 in tariff surcharges to customers

March 03, 2026

Dame is refunding customers who paid its “Trump Tariff Surcharge” last year, becoming one of the first brands to proactively return money tied to President Donald Trump’s now-invalidated tariffs.

Podcasts

Technology

OpenAI makes it easier to run shopping ads in ChatGPT

May 12, 2026

OpenAI is automating product ads for e-commerce brands, tapping existing catalog infrastructure.

How Ace Hardware built its employee AI assistant

May 05, 2026

Ace Hardware is a unique retailer, being a cooperative with more than 5,200 stores that are operated independently. As a result, its executives and development team took a careful approach in designing and implementing its new AI assistant to work throughout the chain.

Unpacked: How loyalty programs power lifecycle marketing strategies

April 16, 2026

This Unpacked guide, sponsored by SheerID, explores how loyalty is no longer earned through rewards alone; it’s built through relevance, transparency and sustained commitment to understanding customers over time.  Shifts in consumer behavior — specifically the desire for data privacy and instant, personalized recognition — and AI’s acceleration of the buying process are making traditional […]

Marketing

Here comes the brand: Inside the business of influencer weddings

May 12, 2026

For brands, influencer weddings are becoming lucrative marketing opportunities and a chance to tap into some of social media’s most highly engaged content.

Modern Retail+ Research: Marketers optimize GEO strategies amid the effects of zero-click search

May 11, 2026

A recent Modern Retail survey found that more than one-third of brand and agency pros (37%) said their companies have seen decreases in upper-funnel search traffic as a result of AI, and 21% said their companies have seen decreases in lower-funnel search traffic as a result of AI.

How Roller Rabbit became TikTok’s favorite sleepwear brand

May 11, 2026

Roller Rabbit became TikTok’s favorite pajama brand thanks to exclusive drops and collaborations with the likes of Target and Starbucks.

Operations

Amazon offers non-sellers more of its supply chain services

May 11, 2026

Last week, Amazon announced the launch of Amazon Supply Chain Services, a streamlined portal where companies — even non-Amazon sellers — can access all of its supply chain services. Here’s what it means for the logistics world.

Man with tattoos on arms in tan apron holding a cast iron pan filled with food

Made In uses its cast iron launch to land in Williams-Sonoma

May 11, 2026

Startup Made In is trying to carve out its defensive moat in the cookware space by focusing on what it calls “professional-grade cookware.” This year, the company has entered one of the most formidable categories for cookware: cast iron. And it used the launch to add a new wholesale partner.

What Gen Z wants from brands instead of the traditional sales funnel

May 12, 2026

Lara Compton, svp of marketing, SheerID For years, businesses have leaned on the linear sales funnel as a convenient model to measure the path to purchase. But while the funnel is a tidy way to report on awareness and consideration, marketers have always known the reality is far more complex. Today, that complexity has reached […]