Nike Teamed Up With IRAK To Drop An Air Force 1 “City Hero”
Nike has teamed with renowned graffiti artist Kunle Martins, known as IRAK, to release an all‑black Air Force 1 "City Hero" featuring a scratch‑away heel emblazoned with his hand‑style lettering. The sneaker is being sold exclusively through a SNKRS Stash drop limited to New York City, with pick‑ups at Nike’s 47 Chrystie location. The release follows recent Nike activations that showcase local artists like photographer Clayton Patterson and community‑focused events with HOMERUN. Fans in the NYC area must check the SNKRS app to secure a pair.
Fischersund Stages First Scented Concert in Paris
Fischersund, the Icelandic art‑perfume collective, staged its inaugural scented concert in Paris at Dover Street Market, unveiling the new fragrance Faux Flora No. 1. The immersive event blended live music, projected visuals, and a 5‑ml perfume vial to create a multisensory narrative inspired...
Saks Global Sets Second Wave of Luxury Store Closings
Saks Global announced a second wave of store closures, shuttering 12 Saks Fifth Avenue locations and three Neiman Marcus stores by the end of May. Combined with earlier cuts, the company has now announced the closure of 20 Saks and four...
5 Things: Aldi Sass Is What We Live For
Aldi’s cheeky Instagram reply to McDonald’s recent product flop highlighted the grocer’s aggressive digital tone. Meanwhile, Oregon City launched the nation’s first 600‑sq‑ft micro‑grocery, echoing New York bodegas’ compact model. H‑E‑B swiftly corrected a false closure rumor, Iceland settled a...
What Is As Ever? Meghan Markle’s Lifestyle Brand, Explained
Meghan Markle’s As Ever launched in March 2025 as an artisanal food‑focused lifestyle brand, quickly gaining a cult following with sell‑out jam drops, candles, wine, and limited‑edition chocolates. After a year of partnership with Netflix, the brand announced it is now...
Kroger Is Closing Stores: See the Updated List that Shows Shuttered Locations Across the Country
Kroger announced a footprint‑optimization plan in June 2023 to close roughly 60 stores nationwide. To date, 33 locations have shuttered and three more are confirmed for 2024, spanning the Kroger banner and subsidiaries such as Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, and King Soopers....
How Brands Are Leveraging Live Commerce to Move Excess Inventory
Brands are turning to live commerce to liquidate excess inventory, gaining real‑time pricing, product visibility, and storytelling that traditional bulk liquidation lacks. Platforms such as Whatnot, eBay Live, and Poshmark Live let sellers showcase condition and price instantly, targeting niche...
Pete Nordstrom on the Enduring Power of Retail’s ‘Best Mousetrap’ | The BoF Podcast
Nordstrom celebrated its 125th anniversary while navigating a turbulent U.S. department‑store landscape. The family partnered with Mexico’s Liverpool to take the retailer private, preserving a 51% stake and freeing the business from quarterly market pressures. Pete Nordstrom highlighted the company’s...
Liquidation Vs. Markdown: What Retailers Get Wrong
Retailers habitually rely on successive markdowns before considering liquidation, harming profitability. The article explains that markdowns shift sales to low‑margin items and occupy valuable space, while liquidation, when executed via vetted platforms, recovers capital and restores assortment mix. It argues...
Understanding Hermès Resale: Scarcity, Strategy, and the Birkin Market
Hermès deliberately limits Birkin supply, turning scarcity into a brand advantage and driving strong resale premiums. The company’s boutique‑level allocation relies on client relationships rather than sheer spend, reinforcing exclusivity. A vibrant secondary market, exemplified by platforms like Rome Station,...
DSG Expands AI and Ecommerce Across Its Distribution Brands
Distribution Solutions Group (DSG) is embedding ecommerce and AI across its three main brands—Lawson Products, Gexpro Services and TestEquity—to boost sales efficiency and capture new customers. In Q4, Lawson’s online channel posted an 18% revenue increase, with over 30% of...
Flexible Footprints: Using Modular Construction To Adapt to Changing Retail Formats
Retailers are turning to modular construction to keep pace with rapidly shifting consumer habits and the rise of pop‑up, dark‑store, and hybrid formats. Off‑site fabrication slashes build times, allowing stores to open in weeks rather than months while meeting code...
Swift Moves Ahead with Retail Cross-Border Payments Network
Swift has introduced a new framework for retail cross‑border payments, with over 25 banks slated to process transactions under the rules by June. The initiative expands Swift’s traditional focus on interbank and commercial transfers to consumer‑level payments, targeting faster settlement,...
Best Buy Online Marketplace Gains Traction as New Profit Driver
Best Buy’s U.S. online marketplace generated roughly $300 million in gross merchandise value in fiscal Q4 2026, supported by more than 1,100 third‑party sellers. The platform earns commissions and advertising fees, helping lift the retailer’s gross profit rate despite a 1% dip...
Voomi Supply Raises $10 Million to Expand B2B Ecommerce Platform for HVAC
Voomi Supply announced a $10 million financing round led by Asymmetric Capital Partners, with participation from Highmount Capital, David Hawkins, and existing backer Operator Partners. The capital will accelerate development of its AI‑driven B2B ecommerce platform, broaden its supplier network, and...
Amazon Website, App Glitch Impacts Online Customers
Amazon’s website and mobile app experienced a six‑hour outage on March 6, 2026, after a software code deployment went awry. The disruption prevented customers from accessing product pages, checking out, and viewing account information, prompting more than 20,000 issue reports. Amazon’s...
Von Dutch Plots U.S. Comeback Under WSG Brands
Von Dutch, the early‑2000s celebrity‑driven label, has been relaunched in the United States after its 2024 acquisition by brand‑development firm WSG Brands. WSG has rebuilt the brand’s infrastructure, expanded wholesale and direct‑to‑consumer channels, and secured high‑visibility collaborations with Gen Z influencers....
Supermarkets Hit by Falling Demand for Nitrite-Cured Bacon Due to Cancer Fears
UK supermarkets are experiencing a notable decline in nitrite‑cured bacon sales, dropping 7.3% over the 12‑week period to January 25, equating to a £18.7 million loss. At the same time, nitrite‑free bacon is gaining traction, with sales rising 21.7% to £9.4 million....
Aldi Expands Long-Term Supply Deals with British Growers
Aldi UK is expanding long‑term supply agreements with British growers, aiming to secure at least 50 % of its domestic produce by the end of 2027. The contracts, lasting two years or more, will be open to both large and small...
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Enters Minnesota
Ollie's Bargain Outlet opened its first Minnesota store in Austin, about 100 miles south of Minneapolis, marking the retailer’s entry into its 35th state and a key milestone in its Midwest expansion. The Austin location continues Ollie's model of no‑frills,...
Why the Future of Highway Food Might Look More Like a Food Court
Danish entrepreneur Daniel Baven’s Noahs platform turns convenience stores and service stations into on‑site food hubs using modular kitchens and a digital ordering stack. The system lets retailers host rotating food brands—pizza, tacos, sandwiches—without major capital outlay, essentially acting as...
The Friday Checkout: Grocery Outlet’s ‘Unacceptable’ Q4 Is a Lesson in Staying Focused on Price
Grocery Outlet’s fourth‑quarter results fell short as the discounter shifted focus to expanding its assortment, neglecting the core price perception that drives its customers. Comparable‑store sales slipped nearly 1%, and the company posted a $235 million operating loss and a $218 million...
Consumer Pressures Are Driving Footwear Sales at These Two Channels
Consumers facing tighter budgets are turning to thrift stores and warehouse clubs for footwear, driving notable sales growth in both channels. Middle‑income and younger shoppers seek unique, affordable sneakers, while weight‑loss drugs like GLP‑1 have spurred size changes and increased...
The Consumer Stocks Primed to Be Big Winners From AI, According to Jefferies
Jefferies analysts argue that consumer companies embracing agentic AI will outpace rivals as algorithms prioritize product superiority, pricing and post‑purchase service. They highlight five stocks—Planet Fitness, Revolve Group, SharkNinja, YETI and Signet Jewelers—each with Jefferies price targets implying 60‑119% upside....
How AI and Data Drive Compliance, Consistency and Scale
Europe’s e‑commerce market remains fragmented by languages, tax regimes and platform‑specific rules, forcing brands to adopt sophisticated back‑office operations. Luke Elliott of Pattern highlights that AI and real‑time data are now essential for meeting compliance, maintaining consistency and scaling across...
Kroger Names 84.51° Chief to Oversee AI Efforts
Kroger has created a new chief data and AI officer role, appointing Milen Mahadevan, president of its 84.51° analytics unit, to lead the effort. Mahadevan will consolidate all data and AI teams under his oversight while continuing to run 84.51°....
Co-Op Expands Its Electric Online Home Delivery Fleet with Toyota
Co-op is investing £1.5 million to add more than 50 Toyota Proace City electric vans to its home‑delivery fleet, replacing older vehicles and expanding service to rural areas. The rollout supports the retailer’s online grocery growth, now available to 86 % of...
Albertsons Launches ‘Stock Up’ Sale in Bid to Improve Price Image
Albertsons has launched a month‑long “Stock Up” sale from March 6 to April 2 across its Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Jewel‑Osco, Shaw’s, Tom Thumb, Randalls and Acme banners. The promotion features “hottest prices” on national brands, four‑times reward points for Free for U loyalty members,...
Livingston Designer Outlet Announces 2026 Charity Partnership with Down’s Syndrome Scotland
Livingston Designer Outlet announced its 2026 charity partnership with Down’s Syndrome Scotland, a leading Scottish organization supporting individuals with Down’s syndrome. The outlet will host a year‑long series of fundraising events, awareness campaigns, and interactive activities, beginning on March 21...
US Stocks: US Retail Sales Decline as Consumer Pullback Deepens
US retail sales slipped 0.2% month‑on‑month in January, bringing total sales to $733.5 billion, though they remain 3.2% higher than a year ago. The decline outperformed the modest growth forecast but was attributed to severe winter weather curbing brick‑and‑mortar traffic. Health‑care,...
Deichmann Reopens Three Revamped Stores in Spain and Portugal
Deichmann is modernising its Iberian footprint by reopening three stores in Spain and Portugal before mid‑2026, starting with a revamped 450 m² outlet in Murcia’s Pinatar Park Retail Park. The redesign features clearer signage and optimized product displays to improve shopper comfort....
Enoteca Monza Opens at CF Market Mall in Calgary (Video, Photos)
Enoteca Monza celebrated the grand opening of its first Alberta restaurant at Calgary's CF Market Mall. The new venue adds a tenth location to the Italian‑focused chain, which is owned by franchisor Foodtastic. The Calgary restaurant will generate roughly 50...
Affirm Pursues Affluent Consumers
Affirm is pivoting its buy‑now‑pay‑later offering toward affluent, high‑credit consumers by expanding 0% interest promotions. The company says interest‑free loans drive an 80% probability of repeat usage and currently account for about 16% of its transaction volume, with 80% of...
Big Brands to Boost Lakeside as It Builds on Strong 2025 Footfall and Sales
Lakeside Shopping Centre in Essex is capitalising on a £100 million three‑year investment to attract major fashion tenants, including White Company, Bershka, Hollister Co and Urban Outfitters. Footfall rose 3.2 % to over 17 million visits and sales increased 4.4 %, with average spend...
Flannels Goes 'Local' For a Spring Campaign that 'Anchors British Community Life'
Flannels has launched its spring 2026 campaign, “The Local,” celebrating British community hubs such as bakeries and cafés. The campaign pairs structured tailoring and statement accessories with everyday settings, featuring luxury houses including Prada, Gucci, Burberry and Vivienne Westwood. It runs across Flannels’...
From Teacher to Fashion Brand Founder
Nasrin Jafari left a middle‑school teaching career in 2019 to launch Mixed, a direct‑to‑consumer fashion label that grew from hand‑sewn Covid masks posted on Instagram. She built the brand using a pre‑order model, low‑minimum‑order factories in India, and in‑house Meta...
Nobody's Child Launches Louise Thompson Petite Edit
British fashion label Nobody's Child has launched a petite edit co‑designed with TV personality Louise Thompson, targeting women 5 ft 3 in and under. The collection features dresses, coordinated sets, blazers and trousers with vintage‑inspired details, sized 4‑18 and priced between £59 and...
How Lidl Belgium Tackles Protein Shift, Food Waste, and Fair Trade
Lidl Belgium unveiled a sustainability magazine highlighting its 2023‑24 achievements, including pioneering equal pricing for plant‑based alternatives and a pledge to double plant‑based protein sales by 2030. The retailer reports saving more than six million items through Good Taste Zero...
Grocery’s Growth Divide: Where CPG Brands Should Bet in 2026
Grocery traffic is fragmenting, with short, mission‑driven trips now exceeding 40% of visits and large chains still accounting for roughly half of all trips. Placer.ai’s report shows big chains dominate full‑basket, stock‑up trips, while specialty and independent stores capture frequent,...
Nature’s Path Undergoes Brand Refresh
Nature’s Path, the organic breakfast cereal leader, announced a comprehensive brand refresh in April 2026. The overhaul includes a modernized logo, updated packaging designs, and a renewed visual identity emphasizing sustainability and clean‑label transparency. The company also introduced a refreshed...
How Visa Uses AI in the Fight Against Fraud with AI…
Visa has invested €10 billion in payment security and now blocks over 150 million fraudulent transactions each year. While e‑commerce fraud rates in Europe are falling, fraudsters have turned to AI‑generated social engineering, making scams five times more likely to succeed. Retailers...
Win-Win for WWIN
Women’s Wear In Nevada (WWIN) expanded its exhibition space by 2,000 square feet at the Las Vegas Apparel Expo, marking its largest footprint since the August edition. The show introduced a diagonal Trend Discovery aisle featuring Autumn/Winter 2026 vignettes such as City...
The End of the Endless Aisle: The Paradox of Choice in Ecommerce
E‑commerce’s “endless aisle” is backfiring as shoppers feel overwhelmed, with 74% abandoning carts according to an Accenture survey of 19,000 consumers. The paradox of choice is especially acute in niche categories like gifting, where longer browsing does not translate into...
Scotch-Brite Making Gen Z and Millennial Consumers Think Differently About Everyday Cleaning Essentials
Scotch‑Brite unveiled Brite, a vibrant kitchen‑cleaning collection aimed at Gen Z and Millennial shoppers. The line, debuting March 1 at Target, Walmart and Amazon, features dual‑sided scrubbers, ergonomic palm tools, a leak‑proof dishwand and eco‑friendly refill heads, each paired with a sleek...
Lush Celebrates Harry Styles’ Album Release with Disco-Inspired Bath Bomb
Lush has launched a limited‑edition, UK‑only bath bomb called Bathe All The Time, shaped like a disco ball and designed to turn a soak into a sparkling, mood‑boosting after‑party. The product coincides with singer Harry Styles’ new album Kiss All...
Cosmetics Business Picks: 9 New Beauty Launches for March 2026
The beauty industry unveiled nine new launches for March 2026, spanning skin‑care, hair‑care, colour cosmetics, fragrance and tech accessories. Highlights include FaceGym’s at‑home EMS sculpting device, Shark Beauty’s wet‑to‑dry styling tool, Tatcha’s Milky Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++, and Kylie Cosmetics’ Precision Pout...
As Culver's Expands Into New Markets, Menu Innovation Accelerates
Fast‑casual chain Culver's is accelerating its geographic footprint, adding dozens of locations across the Midwest, South and West. The expansion is paired with a wave of menu innovation, including region‑specific burgers, a new line of plant‑based proteins, and limited‑time offerings...
Ethnicwear Brand Kiaasa Retail Targets 250 Stores by FY ’29 as It Accelerates Expansion
Kiaasa Retail Limited, an Indian women’s ethnicwear brand, plans to grow its footprint to roughly 250 stores by fiscal year 2029, up from more than 120 outlets today. The company will deploy Rs 69.7 crore raised in its IPO to finance new...
Italian Luxury Menswear Brand Vercelli Enters India with Flagship Retail Presence in Mumbai
Italian luxury menswear house Vercelli has opened its first flagship store in Mumbai, marking the brand’s direct entry into India’s organized retail market. The 4,500 sq ft, two‑level boutique, launched with longtime textile partner Rishab World, showcases the full ready‑to‑wear line and...
Jack & Jones Puts Denim in the Spotlight for Retail Debut in Dubai
Jack & Jones, the European denim arm of Bestseller, opened three flagship stores in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, marking its UAE debut. The launch is driven by the minimalist “Invisible Jeans” campaign, which omits models and focuses solely on the denim...