The Latest
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Billions of pretax healthcare funds go to waste each year. Retailers want to cash in.
Some Americans lack an understanding of what products might be eligible FSA or HSA purchases, leaving money on the table for beauty retailers and period-care brands.
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Walmart tests Beauty Bars at 40 stores in tandem with spring sale event
The pilot program will allow customers to talk to beauty experts and test samples as the big-box retailer expands its presence in the category.
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Men’s Wearhouse expands ‘Made in USA’ program
The “American Bespoke” collection was designed in partnership with Joseph Abboud and produced in the company’s Massachusetts factory.
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Column
The Weekly Closeout: Small businesses sue over tariffs, Under Armour adds PE exec to board
A group of small businesses banded together to challenge the Trump administration’s authority to levy tariffs, while the athletics retailer added a board director from Sycamore Partners.
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Barnes & Noble plans to open over 60 stores in 2025
The bookseller opened 57 new locations last year after a decade of stagnant physical growth.
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Walmart to invest $6B in Mexico operations
The effort includes store openings under the Bodega Aurrera, Sam’s Club, Walmart Supercenters and Walmart Express banners.
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Deep Dive
The complicated calculation of ending de minimis
While closing the duty loophole for low-value goods from China and Hong Kong may offer some benefits, the U.S. fashion industry could face challenges.
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Trade war puts US on ‘precipice’ of recession: Moody’s chief economist
The U.S. economy will likely begin to shrink “unless policy takes a very sharp turn here pretty quickly,” Moody’s Chief Economist Mark Zandi said.
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The Vitamin Shoppe to be sold to private equity for nearly $195M
Kingswood Capital Management and Performance Investment Partners have agreed to acquire the vitamin and supplements retailer from Franchise Group.
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Retail sales jump 3.6% in March as consumers anticipate tariffs
Last month’s growth may be ephemeral given economic uncertainty, analysts warned.
Updated April 16, 2025 -
Etsy to customers: Buy local, avoid tariffs
The global marketplace has advice for consumers and sellers alike, but warns that U.S. trade policy is sure to change again in coming days and weeks.
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Retrieved from Walmart.
Walmart will use geospatial tech to power delivery
The data-science capability redefines the retailer’s delivery maps to expand the channel’s reach and accessibility.
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How retailers are connecting with younger shoppers
From Sephora embracing its status as a Gen Alpha “playground” to Coach’s Gen Z-focused store concept, retailers are leaning in.
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Target CEO, Rev. Al Sharpton to meet following DEI changes
The civil rights activist said he is mulling a boycott of the mass merchant, which scaled back its diversity programs in January.
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L’Oréal taps Google’s generative AI tools for content creation
While the company uses the technology to speed its creative process, L'Oréal said it would not create images of people for marketing campaigns.
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How J.C. Penney’s new brand positioning is subverting consumer expectations
Out-of-home ads that don’t feature labels want consumers asking “It’s from where?” as the retailer pushes to modernize while promoting value.
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Ulta brings on Revolution Beauty CEO as chief merchandising and digital officer
Lauren Brindley, who will join in June as current chief merchant Monica Arnaudo retires, will also oversee the retailer’s upcoming marketplace.
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Lids leans in to customization with refreshed store concept
The stores are focused on localization and include “Build-A-Cap” kiosks where shoppers can create unique designs that match their style.
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What troubles shoppers when searching online
Creating clear product landing pages that turn customer concerns into searchable content are key to help shoppers find what they’re looking for.
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Rent the Runway rethinks customer service approach
Shifting to more proactive service, the team now spends 14% of its time calling customers to build loyalty, according to CEO Jennifer Hyman.
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‘Our stores have become an orphan channel’: The Children’s Place
The company acknowledged that its stores have been neglected, but it is ready for a “spree” of openings and a new concept location.
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Opinion
Maximizing retail profits: Make every SKU count
Retailers need to take back control of their shelves, write Michael Brown and Roy Kamar of Kearney.
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Ulta Beauty aims for long-term growth after data, ERP upgrades
The company’s tech investments cleared the way for generative AI. Executives are working to reap the rewards.
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Michaels ups balloons, party supplies as Party City, Joann disappear
With the pandemic-era crafting boom over, the chain is working to take advantage of market share opportunities.
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The Weekly Closeout: JD Sports now ‘bigger than Foot Locker’ and is Rite Aid mulling another bankruptcy?
JD Sports said it has more market share in North America than its rival retailer, while the drugstore is reportedly contemplating refiling.