American Eagle drives in-store back-to-school shopping with Snap Map

The retailer is promoting 800 of its locations in the app and will also launch an augmented reality AE Jeans Try-on Haul Lens.

Nike names 21-year veteran Aaron Cain CEO of Converse

Jared Carver is leaving the role after just two years, but will stay on for a transition period through the end of the month.

De minimis exemption slated to end in 2027

Commercial use of the trade tool allowing low-cost imports to avoid duties will be repealed as part of an expansive bill the president signed on Friday.

Levi’s ups guidance despite tariff impact

The brand is leaning on partnerships with Beyoncé, Shaboozey and Nike as it works to boost its direct-to-consumer channel worldwide.

Rack Room Shoes names chiefs of digital, merchandise

The retailer promoted from within, naming Brian Burnett chief merchandise officer and placing Molly Hartney in the new role of chief digital officer.

Another Saks Global stores exec is out

John Antonini leaves after more than 25 years at Saks Fifth Avenue and just a few months into a newly created position centered on store growth.

US consumers adjust spending in response to tariffs

Behavior shifts are happening in real time as shoppers feel economic stress caused by levies, according to a Savanta report. 

Luxury shoppers turn to TikTok for product discovery

Users are scrolling the social media giant to find product reviews, creator videos and other content that influence their purchases.

S&P Global Ratings downgrades Saks, warns latest financing deal is ‘tantamount to a default’

Saks Global emphasized that there’s no default related to its new agreement with bondholders, calling the rating updates “common and expected with transactions like these.”

These social media platforms are beating out Google for product discovery, reviews

While many shoppers still use the search giant, a PartnerCentric survey found some are instead turning to Reddit, TikTok and others.

Ulta Beauty breaks into the UK with Space NK acquisition

The deal adds 83 stores to its portfolio and gives the beauty powerhouse a strong foothold in the U.K. market.

Dollar Tree completes $1B sale of Family Dollar

The discount retailer sold the banner to private equity firms more than a decade after acquiring it for about $8.5 billion.

Small business isn’t quitting checks

The paper check will persist for decades for small companies, despite the growth of digital payments, BillGO’s CEO predicts.

Retail accelerates investments in generative AI

The industry is also one of the leaders of AI agent and multiagent system adoption, according to a Capgemini report. 

As Champs reimagines stores, mall convenience meets e-commerce perks

The sports retailer’s new store concept uses technology for an experience that blends its digital and physical channels.

Trump rolls out reciprocal tariffs for Japan, South Korea, others

The U.S. detailed the rates it will impose on imports from certain countries starting Aug. 1 in identical letters shared by the president Monday.

Lululemon increasing markdowns at ‘alarming rates’ as momentum fades

In a research note, Jefferies analysts called out inconsistent pricing for identical items and the consequences of attempts to lure younger shoppers.

Eastside Golf opens first store

The brand launched the store at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport in partnership with Paradies Lagardère, which operates travel retail and the PGA Tour stores.

The retail inventory method vs. cost accounting in the tariff era

Wild swings in margin estimates under RIM calculations led Walmart executives to pull their profit guidance in May.

Online summer sales expected to be the equivalent of ‘two Black Fridays’

Events including Amazon Prime Day are expected to boost digital sales as price-conscious consumers seek discounts, per Adobe.

Stores remain dominant, even as digital, AI shopping grows

Physical retail is still the most popular channel to shop, but as AI tools become more prevalent, retailers will need to rethink in-person offerings, EY’s Jon Copestake says.

US preps for August return of country-specific reciprocal tariffs

The Trump administration plans to reinstate the levies Aug. 1 after alerting individual trading partners of their specific duty rates starting Monday.

Funko CEO exits after a little over a year

In the interim, the toy company appointed Michael Lunsford, who said it has "yet to achieve the full potential of Funko."

J.C. Penney to hold down prices for back to school, holiday despite Q1 declines

Sales and profit slumps were relatively modest, a sign the department store’s merchandising and marketing efforts are paying off.

How Target is tackling back-to-school marketing with dual campaigns

Two new efforts feature tactics like influencer marketing as the big-box store prioritizes promoting value and an on-trend product assortment.