Puma is diving headfirst into artificial intelligence, a few years after it launched a Roblox experience and tested out NFTs. Here's how it's using AI to power everything from a store concierge to football jerseys.

Tariffs

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.

Marketplace Briefing: Online merchants aren’t lowering prices despite Supreme Court ruling

February 26, 2026

Many Amazon sellers and online brands say they won’t cut prices despite the Supreme Court ruling that struck down Trump’s tariffs.

Other news to know

  • Amazon sellers’ new struggles
  • 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.
  • Amazon announced a 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge on merchants’ fulfillment fees, as rising fuel costs tied to conflict in the Middle East pressure supply chains.
Top Stories Apr 15

Amazon hits pause on controversial change to its advertising payment system that had caused a seller revolt

April 14, 2026

Amazon is hitting pause on a controversial change to its advertising payment system after backlash from sellers who said the update would disrupt cash flow and billing flexibility.

Why home retailers are plagued with financial challenges

April 15, 2026

The housing market, alongside the pressure of inflation, fluctuating tariff policies and other financial situations such as being crushed with hundreds of millions in debt, has resulted in bankruptcy, closures or acquisitions for many prominent home chains. Most recently, Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. announced it was acquiring The Container Store.

Brands Briefing: 40-year-old Travelpro invests in video, creators to compete with Béis, Away and other digitally-native players

April 14, 2026

Travelpro, a brand long known for its durable luggage and loyal base of airline employees, is using a new marketing playbook as it tries to win over younger consumers.

Lowe’s leans on its 35 million loyalty members as it expands into kids’ programs and subscriptions

April 14, 2026

Lowe’s is expanding its loyalty ecosystem to drive repeat visits and deeper customer relationships, adding kids' programs, subscriptions and viral products as consumers put off homebuying and other big-ticket purchases.

Tariffs

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.

Marketplace Briefing: Online merchants aren’t lowering prices despite Supreme Court ruling

February 26, 2026

Many Amazon sellers and online brands say they won’t cut prices despite the Supreme Court ruling that struck down Trump’s tariffs.

Red and black sneaker on a black hightop on an orange background

Footwear brands navigate uncertainty after latest tariffs flip-flop

February 25, 2026

Shoe brands, which are out billions of dollars from U.S.-imposed duties, are trying to find their footing after recent tariffs whiplash.

Shoptalk

Coach won over Gen Z in North America. Now it’s stepping up its focus abroad

March 31, 2026

After seeing success with its Gen Z strategy in North America, Coach is now scaling that approach internationally.

E.l.f. Beauty’s chief digital officer shares her strategy for the AI era

March 30, 2026

In an interview with Modern Retail, E.l.f. Beauty’s chief digital officer, Ekta Chopra, shared the four pillars that guide the beauty brand’s approach to AI implementation.

Lowe’s wants to roll out personalized website to all customers by end of 2026

March 27, 2026

The humble e-commerce site is getting a major upgrade at Lowe’s. The company is expanding a feature that uses customer data to personalize its website and, essentially, hopes that all customers will have a personalized website by the end of 2026.

Podcasts

Technology

What Amazon CEO Andy Jassy’s annual letter to shareholders didn’t say

April 09, 2026

One major part of Amazon’s business was largely absent from its annual letter to shareholders: the millions of sellers who power its marketplace.

Kroger brings its near-expired food to Flashfood app in 100-plus stores

April 08, 2026

Kroger has partnered up with a fast-growing mobile app to turn what would have been food waste into an extra bit of profit.

From Prime Day and Black Friday to surprise spikes: Why retailers are rethinking peak sales readiness

February 19, 2026

“Peak sales event” is still a common phrase in retail, and the big calendar moments like holidays and Amazon’s Prime Day absolutely matter. But treating peaks as isolated, predictable windows is outdated. Today, demand can surge at any time. A viral TikTok, a surprise influencer drop or a flash sale on a random Tuesday in […]

Marketing

Why brands can’t stop acting like reply guys and jumping into viral comment threads on social media

April 14, 2026

Brands are jumping into viral comment threads on TikTok, Instagram and X to generate real-time engagement. Not only is this an effective tactic to gain more likes and followers, but it can also help strike creator partnerships on the fly.

Kohl’s is stepping up its creator efforts as it attempts a sales reset

April 13, 2026

Kohl’s is funneling more resources into its creator program, including through a new affiliate model, as it looks to boost revenue and raise awareness.

Creator content has become critical for retail media networks

April 13, 2026

Two fast-growing advertising sectors — retail media and the creator economy — are increasingly becoming interlinked. Here’s how more retail media networks are incorporating creator campaigns into their offerings.

Operations

AG1 lands in Target as its year of retail expansion continues

April 14, 2026

AG1’s year of retail expansion continues. Months after launching in Costco and The Vitamin Shoppe, AG1 is announcing today that it is entering Target.

Candy brand Behave bet everything on TikTok Shop, went viral and secured a Target launch

April 13, 2026

After nearly going bankrupt in 2024, candy brand Behave lands on Target shelves this week. The company’s founder credits TikTok Shop as a lifeline that helped save the business.

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, […]