Soft Drink’s Jio Moment? RIL’s Campa Tests Coke-Pepsi Duopoly of 30 Years
Reliance Industries has revived the legacy Campa Cola brand, pricing bottles at INR 10 and quickly gaining a foothold in India's carbonated soft‑drink market. Within a year, Campa grew to roughly 7% market share and generated about INR 1,000 crore in revenue, contributing a tenth of Reliance's FMCG earnings. The conglomerate targets a 25% share over the next three years, leveraging its retail and distribution network to challenge the Coke‑Pepsi duopoly. Competitors are responding with capacity expansions and pricing adjustments, but brand loyalty remains a hurdle for the newcomer.
Aldi to Raise Pay for Second Time This Year
Aldi announced a second pay rise for its UK store staff effective 1 April 2026, boosting hourly wages to £13.50 nationally and £14.88 within the M25, with higher rates for longer service. The increase covers more than 28,000 hourly‑paid colleagues and follows...
EG Group to Divest French Operations
EG Group announced it will sell its French operating business, including 260 convenience and fuel sites, to co‑founder Zuber Issa’s vehicle EG On Move via a put option. The divestiture follows a staged exit that began with the sale of...
Co-Op Appoints Andy Wilmot as Group Supply Chain and Logistics Director
Co‑op announced the appointment of Andy Wilmot as group supply chain and logistics director, effective April 2026. Wilmot, a veteran of A.F. Blakemore and DHL, replaces Derek Furnival, who is retiring after three decades. The hire is positioned to accelerate Co‑op’s operational...
Celio’s Francois Gomez Bets on Bigger Stores, Honest Pricing and Sharper India Play
At the ET Retail GIRS 2026 conference, Celio COO Francois Gomez outlined a new growth plan for India, emphasizing larger‑format stores and a shift away from discount‑driven sales. The brand will prioritize honest pricing and its core apparel DNA—suits, polos, shirts and...
Ralph Lauren Creates MLB Capsule Just in Time for World Baseball Classic
Ralph Lauren unveiled a new MLB capsule featuring six teams, timed for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The line offers satin jackets, fleece sweatshirts, caps and novelty pieces, with a pronounced focus on the New York Yankees. The collection launches...
How Korean-American Fine Jewellery Brand Kinn Is Turning Into a Modern Heritage House
Jennie Yoon founded Kinn after a 2015 theft stole family heirlooms, prompting her to create modern, sustainable fine jewellery. Launching in 2017, the DTC brand differentiates with lab‑grown gemstones, recycled 14k gold, and a "KinnCycle" service that remelts old pieces....
Meta Is Auto-Generating AI Ads for Its Advertisers, Causing Headaches for Image-Conscious Fashion Brands
Meta has begun automatically generating AI‑derived advertisements from brands' existing creative assets, inserting them into Facebook and Instagram feeds without explicit advertiser approval. The move aims to boost ad inventory and lower production costs, but early adopters like British tights...
Can Amika Conquer Body Care?
Amika, the Brooklyn‑based prestige hair‑care brand, is launching a three‑piece body‑care line featuring a body wash, whipped butter and a vitamin C‑infused oil priced between $27 and $50. The move follows a 97% consumer demand signal and taps into the fastest‑growing...
Why Ruggable’s Lauren Sherman Is Focused on Resetting the Balance of Brand and Performance Marketing
Lauren Sherman, Ruggable’s chief marketing officer, is leading a deliberate reset that shifts focus from pure performance‑driven digital spend to brand‑centric initiatives. After seven months in the role, she aims to embed consumer‑led creative, real‑world activations, and designer collaborations into...
Setting up Shop with Brotherwolf
Brotherwolf has opened a flagship studio on Clarendon Street in South Melbourne, converting a 19th‑century bank into a 100‑square‑metre grooming and fashion hub. The new space reflects a decade of learning, shifting from instinctive expansion to deliberate design that blends...
Cettire in the Red Amid Weak US Performance, Shares Plunge
Cettire reported a first‑half fiscal loss of $1.1 million, reversing a $4.7 million profit from the prior year, as US tariff changes and soft luxury demand hit sales. Revenue slipped 2.8% to $382.8 million, while adjusted EBITDA fell 28% to $8.7 million. Excluding the...
Harris Technology Now ‘One of the Fastest Growing’ in Its Sector
Harris Technology, a refurbished‑technology specialist, posted an 18.9% rise in sales revenue to $8.3 million and a 7.1% increase in profit to $2.8 million for the first half of the financial year. Monthly refurbished sales now average $500,000. A strategic shift toward...
Sigma’s Double-Digit Sales, Profit Growth ‘Proves’ Merger Decision
Sigma Healthcare reported double‑digit growth in its first‑half fiscal results, driven by the Chemist Warehouse network. Revenue rose 15% to $5.5 billion, normalised EBIT increased 18.7% to $582.9 million, and NPAT grew 19.2% to $392 million. Chemist Warehouse sales jumped 17.2% to $5.1 billion,...
84 Lumber Launches Campaign to Honor Nation’s 250th Anniversary
84 Lumber has launched the Building America 250 campaign to commemorate the United States’ 250th anniversary of independence. The initiative ties the company’s 70‑year history to the national celebration, featuring a new logo unveiled at the International Builders’ Show and a series...
Coupang Set to Declare Fallout From Massive Korean Data Breach
South Korea’s e‑commerce leader Coupang disclosed a massive data breach affecting about 34 million users, prompting a government investigation that blamed internal management failures. The incident coincided with a 3.5 % drop in monthly active users and a 6.3 % decline in daily...
What Lies Ahead for Thailand’s Retail Giants?
Thailand’s two retail powerhouses, Makro‑Lotus (CP Axtra) and Berli Jucker’s Big C, posted modest 2025 results, with total revenues rising only 1.7% to THB 520.7 bn and Big C’s sales falling 2.4% to THB 101 bn. Both firms cite a 7.2% drop in international tourist arrivals...
How Cafuné Built a Contemporary Handbag Brand From Hong Kong
Queenie Fan and Day Lau launched Cafuné in 2015 to address a lack of affordable, high‑quality contemporary handbags in Asia. Leveraging Fan’s New York design experience and a digital‑first, direct‑to‑consumer model, the brand built a reputation for structured, timeless silhouettes...
Myer Celebrates TOPSHOP Arrival With Star-Studded Campaign Via Howatson+Co
Australian department store Myer announced the arrival of British fast‑fashion label TOPSHOP with a high‑profile “My Store Is” campaign. The campaign, produced by Howatson+Company, stars actress Olivia De Jonge, TikTok creator Guy Vadas and artist Bella McGoldrick, emphasizing personal style as identity....
Super Retail Group Profits Hurt by Rebel Discounts
Super Retail Group reported a 4.2% increase in first‑half FY2026 sales to $2.1 billion, but profits fell 19.8% year‑on‑year. The decline was driven by peak capital‑expenditure spending and aggressive promotional activity at its Rebel sporting‑goods chain, which shaved 20 basis points...
GigaCloud Technology Inc (GCT) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
GigaCloud Technology reported record Q3 2025 revenue of $333 million, a 10% year‑over‑year increase, and a quarterly EPS of $0.99. Growth was powered by a 70% surge in European revenue, bringing the region to $100 million, while product revenue rose 16% YoY...
Krispy Kreme Inc (DNUT) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Krispy Kreme reported fourth‑quarter 2024 revenue of $404 million, reflecting 21% year‑over‑year growth despite a cyber‑security breach that trimmed $11 million of sales and $10 million of adjusted EBITDA. The company added more than 2,800 new delivered‑fresh‑daily (DFD) doors, driving a 34% increase...
Warby Parker Inc (WRBY) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Warby Parker reported FY2024 revenue growth exceeding 15% and a 40% jump in adjusted EBITDA, driven by its strongest Q4 growth since 2021. The company opened 41 new stores in 2024, expanded its insurance network to over 30 million in‑network lives,...
Bealls Appoints David Brown Vice President of Stores
Bealls Inc. announced David Brown as its new Vice President of Stores, overseeing nationwide store operations. Brown brings more than 25 years of retail leadership, including recent success as regional vice president at Ross Dress for Less where his teams...
John Elliott Brand Reportedly Sold to Centric, Sam Ben-Avraham
Los Angeles‑based John Elliott has been sold to Centric Brands and entrepreneur Sam Ben‑Avraham, with plans for a major relaunch later this year. The brand, once a cult favorite among athletes and influencers, saw sales and store closures after the pandemic....
From Cart to Couch: How Retail Data Is Powering the Next Era of Premium Video
Retail data is now the backbone of outcome‑based CTV audiences, allowing brands to target known, competitive or lapsed shoppers on premium video platforms. Kroger Precision Marketing reports that campaigns built on its grocery‑derived audiences generate a median 5% lift in...
Urban Outfitters’ Rental Business Beats Its Sales Target
Urban Outfitters’ Nuuly rental service posted $568 million in net sales for the year ended Jan. 31, surpassing its $500 million target and delivering $35 million in profit. The platform grew its average active monthly subscribers to 420,000, a 40% increase year‑over‑year, and now...
Fnac Darty Sailing Steady, Soon with a New Captain
Fnac Darty posted a €10.33 billion turnover in 2025, a modest 0.7% rise over 2024, underscoring resilience in a weak French consumption climate. CEO Enrique Martinez highlighted that the first year of the "Beyond everyday" strategic plan confirmed the model’s relevance....
QuikTrip Opens 1,200th Store
QuikTrip celebrated the opening of its 1,200th store at 6459 Jonesboro Road in Morrow, Georgia, marking the retailer’s 181st location in the state. The new outlet features QT Kitchens, an expanded coffee menu, and creates roughly 24 local jobs with...
Grocery Prices Will Continue to Increase in 2026: USDA
The USDA Economic Research Service forecasts a 2.5% rise in overall grocery prices for 2026, slightly below the 20‑year average of 2.6%. Seven of the 15 food‑at‑home categories, including beef, fish, sugar and non‑alcoholic beverages, are expected to outpace the...
Aptar Beauty Introduces Premium Dispensing Solutions to Address Brand Differentiation Needs
Aptar Beauty unveiled a suite of premium dispensing and decoration solutions aimed at mass‑market personal‑care brands seeking shelf differentiation. The offering includes in‑mold coloring, metal‑like masterbatches, laser engraving and other high‑impact finishes that can be applied to both plastic and...
Wegmans Releases Statement on Facial Recognition Technology
Wegmans Food Markets released a statement clarifying that its facial recognition technology is deployed in only a small fraction of stores and is used exclusively for security purposes. The company emphasized that it does not collect retinal scans or voice...
Charlotte Tilbury CEO Demetra Pinsent Exits the Brand
Charlotte Tilbury chief executive Demetra Pinsent will leave the luxury cosmetics brand after 14 years, with her last day set for February 26. Founder Charlotte Tilbury will assume both creative and commercial leadership as president, chairman, and chief creative officer. Pinsent helped grow the company...
CourtPilot – Recover Money Through Small Claims Court Guided by AI
CourtPilot, an AI‑powered legal platform, enables UK e‑commerce sellers to file small‑claims cases without a solicitor. For a one‑off £97 fee, users receive AI‑generated court documents, evidence analysis, and step‑by‑step guidance for claims up to £10,000. The service begins with...
RTP Network Marks Record 2 Million Transactions in a Day
The Clearing House’s Real‑Time Payments (RTP) network set two historic milestones, processing 2.05 million transactions in a single day on Feb. 13 and reaching a daily value peak of $8.36 billion on Feb. 18. The surge reflects accelerating adoption among retail users, digital‑wallet transfers,...
Great Clips Taps Into Quarterback Kirk Cousins’ Love for Value Haircuts in New Campaign
Great Clips leveraged NFL quarterback Kirk Cousins as a brand spokesperson in a January 2026 promotion tied to the College Football Playoffs, offering a $9.99 haircut coupon. The 24‑day campaign generated an 11.6% sales lift and a 7.4% rise in...
Roots Appoints Rosie Pouzar as Chief Commercial Officer
Toronto‑based premium outdoor brand Roots has appointed Rosie Pouzar as its new Chief Commercial Officer, elevating her from Head of Omnichannel Growth. Pouzar, who previously led Sephora Canada’s retail expansion, will oversee commercial strategy, operations, and customer insight across Roots’...
Bio Creative Labs Expands with Dual Whole Foods Rollout
Bio Creative Labs is rolling out its new BELIEVE hair‑care line and Petal Fresh Skin ResQ Hello Hydration skincare collection across every Whole Foods Market in the United States. The dual launch bypasses regional testing, reflecting the company’s confidence in...
Jimmy John’s Opens First Saskatoon Location
Jimmy John’s opened its first Saskatchewan restaurant in Saskatoon on February 24, marking the brand’s entry into the province and extending its Canadian footprint. The location at 120‑225 Payne Bend offered the first 100 guests a free 6‑inch sandwich and drink,...
Kroger Expands Savings Programs to Improve Access to GLP-1 Medications
Kroger is expanding its pharmacy savings programs to include manufacturer‑sponsored discounts for GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs. The retailer now pairs medication access with nutrition counseling, fresh‑food options, and registered dietitian services, creating a one‑stop wellness hub. In select states, customers can...
Walmart: Supply Chain Spending Set to ‘Peak’ Next 2 Years, CEO Says
Walmart’s CEO John Furner said the retailer’s supply‑chain capital spending will likely peak this year and next, as automation projects accelerate. Twenty‑three of its 42 U.S. distribution centers are being retrofitted with robotics, and similar initiatives are beginning abroad. About...
Fresh Thyme Let Its Store Brand Go ‘Stale.’ Now It’s Working to Revive It.
Fresh Thyme Market announced a 2026 overhaul of its private‑label line, adding roughly 200 new items and modernizing packaging to align with its refreshed logo. The retailer aims to lift private‑label penetration by 6% by year‑end, emphasizing protein, fiber, organic...
Payoneer Applies for Bank Charter
Payoneer has filed an application with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for a U.S. national trust bank charter, to be branded as PAYO Digital Bank. The charter would let the firm issue, send and receive stablecoins, provide...
USPS Tests Picture Proof of Delivery Capability
The U.S. Postal Service is field‑testing a new camera feature on its Mobile Delivery Device app that captures photos of delivered packages. The pilot runs in Phoenix, New York City, Dallas and Fargo, but images are not yet available to customers....
Food Lion Feeds Turns Oranges Into Meals Through Orange Bag Campaign
Food Lion Feeds has launched its Orange Bag campaign, running Feb 25–Mar 17, 2026, inviting shoppers to buy specially marked navel orange bags that translate into meals for Feeding America and local food banks. Since its 2019 debut, the initiative has generated more...
How the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Impacts Retail
The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) now forces U.S. retailers to prove that imported goods are free of forced labor, shifting the evidentiary burden to importers. Within its first year of enforcement, Customs and Border Protection detained more than...
The Multimillion Dollar Mistake: Why the Technology Business Case Isn’t a Strategy
Retail and e‑commerce leaders are repeatedly overspending on warehouse and fulfillment platforms because they mistake a technology business case for a supply‑chain strategy. Vendor‑supplied ROI models promise payback in 12‑18 months but ignore data quality, process complexity, and organizational readiness....
TV Media Buyers Want Outcomes – So Nielsen Is Introducing More Advanced Audiences
Nielsen announced the addition of more than 200 advanced audience segments to its Nielsen ONE cross‑platform dashboard, drawing on Scarborough’s extensive U.S. consumer surveys. The new segments span demographics, purchase behavior and lifestyle categories, and are intended to improve TV...
Reading Your Data Tea Leaves: What Your Metrics Are Really Trying to Tell You
Retailers are pouring millions into data pipelines, yet most use the insights merely to streamline operations—faster email sends, quicker inventory moves, and real‑time dashboards. The article argues that this productivity focus creates generic experiences that annoy customers. By shifting from...
AMC Is Closing More Theaters: List of Doomed Cinema Locations Will Grow in 2026 as Meme Stock Craze Sputters
AMC Entertainment announced it will continue closing more theaters than it opens, citing a weak financial outlook. Q4 2025 revenue slipped to $1.28 billion, a 1.4% decline, while global attendance fell nearly 10% to 56.3 million. U.S. attendance dropped 7.5% and international attendance...