Inside organized crime rings targeting retailers Ulta, TJX, Walgreens

In a tony suburban enclave in the San Diego foothills, police say, an organized retail crime “queenpin” had built an empire. Tucked behind the stone walls of her 4,500-square-foot Spanish-style mansion, Michelle Mack had stockpiled a small fortune in cosmetics that had been stolen from Ulta and Sephora stores across the country, authorities said.  Police … Read more

Red Sea battle expands with EU stepping up its efforts against Houthis

The battle for the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea has expanded with the entrance of a European Commission naval defense effort in the past week, and more U.S. and allied strikes against Houthi land targets over the weekend, but to date, combined military efforts have not deterred rebel attacks. On Saturday evening, United … Read more

Companies losing pricing power after years of unbridled spending

A FedEx worker delivers packages in New York, May 9, 2022. Andrew Kelly | Reuters After years of unbridled consumer spending on everything from home improvement to dream vacations, some companies are now finding the limits of their pricing power. Shipping giant FedEx last week said customers have shied away from speedier, pricier shipping options. … Read more

Black Friday shoppers spent a record $9.8 billion in U.S. online sales, up 7.5% from last year

Black Friday shoppers pick out clothing in a Lacoste store as retailers compete to attract shoppers and try to maintain margins on Black Friday, one of the busiest shopping days of the year, at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley, New York, U.S. November 24, 2023.  Vincent Alban | Reuters Black Friday e-commerce spending … Read more

Retailers cast doubt on Black Friday, holiday 2023 spending

A person walks past a sales advertisement at Saks Off 5th department store ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday sales in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 21, 2023. Saul Loeb | AFP | Getty Images There’s a dark cloud hanging over Black Friday. A slew of retailers have issued tepid, cautious or downright disappointing fourth-quarter outlooks over … Read more

Deflation could be coming this holiday, Walmart CEO says

Shoppers may get an early present this holiday season: falling prices in many gift-giving categories. On Thursday, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said deflation could be coming as general merchandise and key grocery items, such as eggs, chicken and seafood get cheaper. He said the retailer expects some of the stickier higher prices, such as the … Read more

This key element of ESG investing could drive real change at companies and boost returns

A pedestrian passes a Wall Street subway station near the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., on Monday, June 27, 2022. Money managers betting on a sustained global rebound will be left sorely disappointed in the second half of this crushing year as a protracted bear market looms, even if inflation cools. … Read more

Walmart (WMT) earnings Q3 2024

Atchison, Kansas. Walmart store logo with gardening products for sale.  Universal Images Group | Getty Images Walmart on Thursday topped Wall Street’s fiscal third-quarter earnings estimates as sales rose, but the big-box retailer struck a cautious tone with its outlook after it saw consumer spending weaken at the end of the period. The company’s shares … Read more

Fast fashion brand must clear hurdles before going public

It’s no secret that Shein has ambitions to go public, but the fast-fashion juggernaut will have to overcome a slew of hurdles before it can win over Wall Street. The digitally native retailer skyrocketed to prominence during the Covid-19 pandemic after shoppers across the globe fell in love with its fashion-forward designs, endless assortment and … Read more

Consumers buckling for first time in decade: Former Walmart U.S. CEO

The draw of bargains may be fading. As three of the nation’s biggest retailers kick off a key sales week, former Walmart U.S. CEO Bill Simon warns consumers are starting to buckle for the first time in a decade. He’s blaming a list of headwinds weighing on consumers including inflation, higher interest rates, federal budget … Read more