On Wednesday, Kroger announced that it would buy Giant Eagle for just under $1.7 billion, a signal of the grocer's urgency to boost its footprint. The deal will expand Kroger's reach and abilities beyond just growing the store count.

Tariffs

Nike says it expects $986 million in IEEPA tariff refunds

June 30, 2026

Nike says it's in a better financial position as it awaits nearly $1 billion in refunds related to IEEPA tariffs.

Marketplace Briefing: Online merchants welcome Trump customs crackdown amid wave of tariff evasion pitches

June 11, 2026

Online merchants are encouraged by a new Trump administration effort to crack down on customs fraud after a surge in tariff evasion schemes rattled sellers over the past year.

Other news to know

  • Inside Walmart’s evolution
  • Walmart+, the retailer’s paid membership program, has launched in Canada, marking the first time it has been available outside of the U.S.
  • Walmart announced it would begin delivering Subway items as part of Express Delivery, either on its own or alongside other products such as groceries. 
  • Walmart executives are now training associates to use AI widely throughout the organization.
  • Walmart has announced Upstream Facility Services, a new business through which it will sell its in-house maintenance services to other U.S. companies.
Top Stories Jul 02

Prime Day results suggest shoppers are saving splurges for Black Friday

July 01, 2026

Amazon's Prime Day sale looked a little more like a Costco run this year, as shoppers stocked up on essentials. Here's what shopper behavior during the event could mean for Black Friday this year.

Why Amy’s Kitchen is championing a new certification for non-ultra-processed foods

July 02, 2026

In an interview with Modern Retail, Amy’s Kitchen CEO Paul Schiefer explains how a new Non-UPF Verified certification aims to clarify food processing standards. Here's what it requires.

Bogg, on track for record sales, expands into Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie

July 01, 2026

Bogg, known for its colorful and washable Croc-like totes, is entering new retailers like Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie, as sales are on track to surpass last year's revenue high of $140 million.

Nuna, a favorite among millennial parents, opens a new showroom that will double as a content hub

July 01, 2026

Nuna's new flagship is the latest example of how brands are using stores as more than a point of sale. The baby gear brand, known for its car seats, is opening a new showroom that will double as a content hub.

Nike says it expects $986 million in IEEPA tariff refunds

June 30, 2026

Nike says it's in a better financial position as it awaits nearly $1 billion in refunds related to IEEPA tariffs.

Brands Briefing: Measurement is the next frontier in GEO for brands

June 30, 2026

Measuring how often your company gets recommended by AI engines — and, subsequently, how often those recommendations lead to website visits and sales — is starting to become a bigger topic of discussion for brand executives.

Electronics prices are starting to soar, adding to the stress consumers are facing

June 30, 2026

Major electronics companies like Apple and Microsoft announced significant price hikes this month, largely driven by the increased cost of memory chips. It will leave consumers feeling even more squeezed.

Tariffs

Marketplace Briefing: Online merchants welcome Trump customs crackdown amid wave of tariff evasion pitches

June 11, 2026

Online merchants are encouraged by a new Trump administration effort to crack down on customs fraud after a surge in tariff evasion schemes rattled sellers over the past year.

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.

Podcasts

Technology

Amazon buys ads in ChatGPT to promote Prime Day

June 26, 2026

Amazon is turning to ChatGPT to promote Prime Day, using the AI chatbot as a new advertising channel for its biggest shopping event of the year.

How brands, retailers are using AI — and what they won’t let it touch

June 25, 2026

As retailers and brands continue to build out both customer-facing and internal functionalities using AI, the conversation has also shifted toward what executives don’t want it being used for.

Follow the foot traffic: The new brand playbook for in-store media

May 13, 2026

As shopping habits evolve, brands need to ensure they’re balancing their physical presence with their e-commerce presence. In-store media has matured from just thrown-together end caps to high-impact, moveable screens that deliver transparent reporting, track campaign performance and more.  With the ability to feature high-impact video in high-traffic areas, in-store media has become a strong […]

Marketing

Marketplace Briefing: How a cartoon frog wizard is helping Clorox sell Pine-Sol on TikTok Shop

July 02, 2026

Clorox is using TikTok Shop to test products, reach Gen Z and drive sales. The universe of characters it has created for its cleaning brand, Pine-Sol offers perhaps the best example of the company’s approach to TikTok Shop.

The header image shows a TV with colored lines on the screen.

Streaming is the next frontier for Walmart’s, Kroger’s ads businesses

June 29, 2026

Streaming is becoming an important part of many retail media networks’ growth strategies, as retailers believe that shopper data can help advertisers prove their TV ads lead to sales. This has led to what is reportedly a billion-dollar transaction by Walmart.

How beauty brands are popping up around World Cup festivities

June 29, 2026

Beauty brands like NYX, Fazit and Not Your Mother’s are using World Cup-themed experiential pop-ups to reach female soccer fans this summer.

Operations

Bright yellow "customs" sign on an orange background.

What’s next for international shipping as EU ends de minimis exemption

June 29, 2026

Starting July 1, low-value packages heading to the European Union will have a flat €3 customs duty per each declared line item.