In conversations with executives this summer, one consistent theme has been that everybody is trying to court a new demographic that’s in a slightly higher income bracket than their core customer. Or, they’re grappling with how to get their highest spenders to spend more. Here’s what’s driving seemingly every brand to try to position themselves as a premium brand.

This year has been a big one for executive transitions throughout big-box retail. Sometimes, it feels like there’s a new leadership appointment on a weekly basis. In this week’s Big-Box Briefing, we break down how these new appointments, promotions and exits have shaped out so far in 2026.

At the most recent Modern Retail+ and Glossy+ Town Hall, editorial staff and subscribers gathered to discuss the future of DTC. Hot topics included: what distribution channels make sense for burgeoning brands and where young startups should spend their precious marketing dollars.