Why tariff refunds won’t necessarily go back to consumers

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

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

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.

Hits and misses from Q1 earnings season

Why every brand is now its own media company, featuring Prince Street Pizza

The tradeoff economy: Why stressed shoppers are still spending

Marketplace Briefing: Why Amazon is selling its AI-powered shopping tools to other retailers

Amazon is starting to sell the technology behind its AI shopping assistant to other retailers, as the e-commerce giant looks to become a bigger player in the fast-growing market for AI-powered shopping tools.

How Olly is updating its product detail pages for the AI era

As more shoppers use AI chatbots for recommendations, supplement brand Olly is updating its product pages with clearer descriptions and FAQs to boost AI-driven sales.

Retail media’s next frontier is in-store

Now that retail media is a foundational channel, brands are seeking value beyond established digital inventory. They’re looking for new environments that offer stronger visibility and incremental reach. Physical stores are where shopper attention, product discovery and purchase converge in real time —  research shows that 84% of sales occur in physical stores, 75% of […]

How 2 very different DTC startups balance paid and organic marketing

Made-to-order rug brand Ernesta and pet-tracker startup Tractive are trying to boost their customer bases at a time of larger macroeconomic uncertainty. At the Lead Summit in New York City, both brands spoke about how they crafted their marketing playbooks and balance paid and organic marketing.

Modern Retail+ Research: The marketers’ 2026 guide to a shifting CTV landscape, including YouTube, Peacock and Roku

Modern Retail+ Research’s fifth annual report analyzes the state of ad-supported streaming and the challenges streaming companies pose to marketers.

How Nocturnal Skincare created a spring campaign for under $100

Two-year-old brand Nocturnal Skincare created its recent spring campaign on a $100 budget. Thanks to the DIY approach, the brand was able to save on creatives to invest in other areas of the business.

As Target, Walmart and Aldi embrace naturally-colored food, brands rush to meet demand

Major retailers like Walmart and Target are removing artificial food dyes from their aisles, especially in products like cereals and frozen treats. This has been a boon for startups already carrying naturally-colored products in their respective categories.

Rising gas prices may push more household spending toward Amazon

Higher gas prices could end up benefiting Amazon’s e-commerce business as consumers look for ways to avoid driving to stores and focus more of their spending on household essentials.

Unpacked: How loyalty programs power lifecycle marketing strategies

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 […]