Shopping center owners hope the World Cup will provide a much-needed win for American malls. From American Dream's 39-day fan fest to Atlantic Village's restaurant play, here's how various malls are looking to attract both tourists and locals.

Tariffs

The slow trickle-down of tariff refunds

June 01, 2026

The U.S. government has received about half as many refund requests for around the $166 billion it recouped in now-illegal tariff duties.

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.

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 Jun 09

‘It’s not our approach’: Walmart COO says digital shelf labels aren’t for surge pricing

June 09, 2026

As digital price tags have gained more prominence over the last few years, some shoppers and legislators have feared they would lead to "dynamic pricing," charging customers different prices based on the timing of their purchase or, worse, their individual data.

Brand Substacks are starting to show real results

June 09, 2026

One year after launching on Substack, brands are finding sales, subscribers and new customers. Here are the results brands like The RealReal and Rare Beauty have seen a year into their Substack journey.

What brands are paying to advertise around the World Cup

June 09, 2026

One in three Americans is set to watch the World Cup this summer, leading many brands to look into last-minute partnerships, proximity marketing initiatives and social campaigns tied to the tournament. Official partnerships are pricey, but there are still opportunities across host cities for brands seeking a timely halo effect. Modern Retail sat down with media buying experts to learn more.

How an earlier Prime Day created new supply chain challenges for brands

June 08, 2026

Brands have to pull up their inventory orders and change forecasts due to an earlier Prime Day, which will take place on June 23-26 this year.

Brands are catching World Cup fever even without official sponsorships

June 08, 2026

Even without official FIFA sponsorship, Crumbl and Olipop are getting into the spirit of soccer this summer, with product releases and activations tied to the World Cup.

Walmart goes global with its Amazon-like flywheel

June 08, 2026

Walmart executives are beginning to take a more international approach to growing its higher-margin businesses such as advertising, memberships and its third-party marketplace. On Thursday, Walmart+, the retailer's paid membership program, launched in Canada — the first time it has been available outside of the U.S.

Brami’s and Mosh’s recent funding rounds show what’s winning in food right now

June 08, 2026

Big VC rounds are becoming rare among CPG brands. But some, like Brami and Mosh, are proving to be the exception to the rule when it comes to attracting big venture dollars. Here's what worked for them in securing new funding.

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

Walmart is getting into restaurant delivery, beginning with Subway

June 04, 2026

Walmart could soon start eating DoorDash and Uber Eats’ lunch as it begins to experiment in the restaurant delivery space.

Walmart executives see the promise of AI, but also the costs

June 04, 2026

Artificial intelligence is allowing Walmart to achieve levels of personalization it has long dreamed of. At the same time, the company is also cracking down on redundant or inefficient uses of AI internally, knowing the technology has a price tag.

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

Inside Chewy’s push to build a pet-focused retail media network

June 04, 2026

Chewy says its retail media network has doubled the number of campaigns and advertisers on the platform year-over-year. Here’s how it has sought to stand out from other retail media networks in the space.

ThredUp bets wedding guest outfits can drive secondhand growth

June 03, 2026

With a new landing page and AI tool, ThredUp is working to become a go-to destination for wedding guest outfits.

Apparel brand Dad Gang teams up with Shopify on limited-edition hat drop as sales top $35 million

June 02, 2026

Four years ago, three friends spent $750 to launch a dad-focused hat brand. Now, Dad Gang does $35 million in sales and just landed a collab with Shopify.

Operations

Marketplace Briefing: How Rhino USA is building a 182‑acre ‘content factory’ in Texas after riding TikTok Shop to 8-figure sales

June 04, 2026

Rhino USA is building a 182-acre Texas campus to fuel content creation after becoming an unlikely TikTok Shop success story, surpassing eight figures in revenue on the platform.

How The Cycle convinced Sprouts to find a place for its menstrual cycle-synced drinks in stores

June 03, 2026

The Cycle believes its menstrual cycle-synced drinks are poised for explosive retail growth. But first, it has to convince buyers to carry its products — and, where to put them in stores.

Retail marketers are at a crossroads — here’s how they can adapt

June 01, 2026

Justin Jefferson, vp, strategy and insight, Keen Decision Systems Retail marketers are navigating a marketing landscape defined by consolidation and heightened accountability. As retail media networks evolve beyond the initial gold rush, advertisers’ focus has shifted from merely having a presence to proving performance.  Likewise, with ad budgets under intense scrutiny, marketing success now requires […]