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Retail&Consumer

Ikea’s new central London store has learned from ‘a lot of mistakes’ over 7 years—but it’s confident its inner-city debut will click with shoppers

When you enter Ikea’s freshly opened Oxford Street store in London, two things instantly meet your eye: a display of the company’s newest furniture line and some very bright colors. The long-awaited store, which looked like a mega blue Frakta bag when in the works and was initially slated to open in 2023, finally welcomed shoppers on Thursday.  It’s not a common sight for an Ikea store to be smack in the middle of the city, and in ...

John Williams in Retail&Consumer 2026-07-29 11:43

Walmart and Amazon prices are going up despite Trump’s China tariff reduction

If there was any thought that the Trump administration’s 90-day pullback of China tariffs might keep retail prices stable, leaders of the country’s largest retailer dismissedthat notion on Thursday.“We will do our best to keep our prices as low as possible,” WalmartCEO Doug McMillon said in a statement alongside the retailer’s quarterly earnings. “But given the magnitude of the tariffs, even at the reduced levels announced this week, we aren’t ab...

Jane Johnson in Retail&Consumer 2026-07-29 18:20

Auto giant Stellantis appoints 25-year company veteran—Antonio Filosa—as new CEO to lead turnaround

Auto giant Stellantis, whose brands include Jeep, Peugeot and Fiat, on Wednesday named company veteran Antonio Filosa as its new chief executive officer as the US-European group navigates US tariffs and slumping North American sales.Recommended VideoThe Italian manager, who has led Stellantis in North and South America, will succeed Carlos Tavares, who abruptly quit in December.Filosa was unanimously selected by the board following a “thorough se...

Sarah Davis in Retail&Consumer 2026-07-28 18:36

Jaguar is going on a world tour to sell its controversial rebrand to wealthy art lovers

It’s been around six months since Jaguar, the 89-year-old British premium car brand, decided to arguably torpedo its legacy in search of a new, younger audience. Depending on who you asked, it was either the boldest or stupidest brand decision in years.Recommended VideoLast November, Jaguar’s debut of an advert showing a diverse, gender-fluid set of fashion models but crucially, no car, inspired a wave of vitriol days after the election of Donald...

Jennifer Brown in Retail&Consumer 2026-07-26 18:22

Forget SUVs: Minivans are having a renaissance—and they’ve never been this plush

One of the biggest car launches at Auto Shanghai 2025 in China from a European brand was the Mercedes-Benz Vision V. Surprisingly, this isn’t an SUV nor a luxury super-sedan. It’s a minivan (aka MPV). This wasn’t the only MPV displayed at the show either. Just when everyone thought SUVs had a permanent stranglehold on the market are minivans making an unexpected comeback?Fall and rise of the MPVMPVs used to be familiar sights on European roads. N...

John Brown in Retail&Consumer 2026-07-23 18:26

LVMH’s U.S. CEO is glad ‘pretty annoying’ quiet luxury term has died

LVMH U.S. CEO Anish Melwani expressed relief over the decline of the “quiet luxury” trend,arguing that while understated elegance has long existed within LVMH brands, the trend limited consumer expression and choice in the luxury space. As the industry shifts, European luxury brands now face a new challenge in the form of potential U.S. tariffs under President Trump’s proposed plan, which may lead to price hikes that consumers are expected to abs...

Robert Williams in Retail&Consumer 2026-07-20 18:14

Costco takes a page from rival Sam’s Club to speed up checkout in its warehouses with ‘Scan & Pay’

Costcois testinga featurethat would allow customers to scan items in its warehouses and pay for them on their phones, following the lead of Walmart-owned rival Sam’s Club. CEO Ron Vachris offered few details on the technology, but a guide on Costco’s website said customers will receive a QR code after paying that they scan at a kiosk before exiting.Costco is turning to technology to get its customers out the door faster, a feature pioneered by ri...

Robert Johnson in Retail&Consumer 2026-07-18 11:25

Diageo plans $500 million of cost cuts as U.S. tariffs kick in

Diageo Plc will cut costs by $500 million over three years as the maker of Johnnie Walker whisky grapples with US trade tariffs.President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs will cost $150 million annually at current levels, half of which it can mitigate, Diageo said in a statement Monday. The British distiller reiterated its guidance for the full year and expects sales growth to improve in the second half. The company’s shares rose as much as 2.4% in e...

Robert Brown in Retail&Consumer 2026-07-16 18:36

LVMH warns Chinese are curtailing travel, overseas spending

LVMH’s deputy chief executive officer said Chinese customers have been pulling back on travel and consumer spending, indicating that a slump in demand for luxury goods may still have some way to run.Recommended Video“For the past three months, Chinese tourists have been traveling less and buying less,” when out of the country, Stephane Bianchi told French lawmakers in a hearing on Wednesday.The comments come after Bloomberg reported last week tha...

Jane Jones in Retail&Consumer 2026-07-11 11:57

Burberry is cutting 1,700 jobs as its turnaround plan starts slowly reaping results

Burberry showed promise of recovering from the struggling luxury market. But now, Britain’s marquee trench coat maker will have to lick its wounds a little longer amid the slow burn of its turnaround plan. Recommended VideoOn Wednesday, the London-based company reported a 12% decline in sales in the year to March 29, marginally higher than analyst expectations of 13%. Meanwhile, its operating profit was £26 million for the same period agains...

John Johnson in Retail&Consumer 2026-07-11 18:24

T.J. Maxx and Marshalls can ‘insulate’ themselves from tariffs because their business model is scooping up other retailers’ unsold inventory

T.J. Maxx and Marshalls parent company TJX has an advantageover its discount retail rivals, analysts said. TJX is an off-price retailer that sources much of its inventory from other retailers’ unsold products, meaning it doesn’t have to pay tariffs on the bulk of its goods. Moreover, consumers continue to pull back on discretionary goods from other retailers.Off-price retailers like T.J. Maxx are staying strong amid tariff concerns and economic u...

Emily Davis in Retail&Consumer 2026-07-08 18:38

A different kind of Brat summer: Johnsonville will offer an 80-pound, 249-link variety pack of sausages, brats, and hot dogs, which comes with its own hand truck

Johnsonville is offering an 80 lb, 249-link box of sausages. The promotional item will be sent to winning entrants right before July 4 of this year. It comes with its own hand truck.Memorial Day is the start of cookout season—and if you want to be the talk of the neighborhood (or, if you’re greedy, the local hospital’s cardiac ward), Johnsonville might have just the product for you.Recommended VideoThe sausage company will roll out the Johnsonvil...

David Williams in Retail&Consumer 2026-07-08 18:52

E.l.f.’s acquisition of Hailey Bieber’s Rhode is a $1 billion bet on Gen Alpha

Budget beauty giant e.l.f. has finalized a $1 billion deal to acquire Rhode, social media influencer Hailey Bieber’s skincare brand. Rhode generated $212 million in net sales in the past 12 months ending in March 31. E.l.f CEO Tarang Amin toldFortunehe sees the brand as having “real staying power.”Budget beauty giant e.l.f. continues its wooing of Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers with a deal to buy influencer Hailey Bieber’s cosmetic brand Rhode.Rec...

Jane Smith in Retail&Consumer 2026-07-06 11:31

Remy Cointreau names Marilly as CEO after Vallat steps down

Remy Cointreau SA appointed former Chanel executive Franck Marilly to replace outgoing Chief Executive Officer Eric Vallat.Recommended VideoMarilly, who will start on June 25, joins at a critical juncture for the Paris-listed group, which is facing tariff concerns in two of its key markets. Vallat had said last month he would be stepping down this summer.Remy’s shares, which had slumped more than 45% in the past year through Tuesday’s close, slip...

Robert Davis in Retail&Consumer 2026-07-05 11:13

Dior’s revival rests on its historic appointment of Jonathan Anderson as creative director

Christian Dior, one of the main businesses within French conglomerate LVMH, will have a new creative chief overseeing the entire brand—Jonathan Anderson. Recommended VideoOriginally from Northern Ireland, Anderson was previously the long-time designer at another LVMH-owned brand, Loewe, credited with turning it into a buzzy, trending label. Now, he’ll be only the second person after Christian Dior to lead the fashion house’s men’s, women’s, ...

Jane Williams in Retail&Consumer 2026-07-01 18:48

A Kohl’s board member resigned because she was ‘continually disappointed’ by governance and a lack of transparency. The retailer denies there was any friction

A board member at Kohl’sresigned because she said there were governing issues and a lack of transparency at the beleaguered retailer. The company denies Day’s statements, and its SEC filing regarding Day’s resignation said her decision was “not due to any disagreements with the company.”The drama at Kohl’s continues. Just days after CEO Ashley Buchanan was fired over striking a “highly unusual” deal with a vendor he had a personal relationsh...

Sarah Johnson in Retail&Consumer 2026-06-29 11:15

Kohl’s shocks investors reporting a not-too-bad quarter even after it fired its CEO just 100 days into the job

Kohl’shad its first earnings report since firing CEO Ashley Buchanan, and the results weren’t as bad as expected. While net sales were down and there were still losses per share, it wasn’t quite as severe as Wall Street had anticipated. The retailer also has a three-pronged approach to make a comeback.Kohl’s has had a rough year—but it might be showing signs of a turnaround. Recommended VideoThe retailer on Thursday reported Q1 2025 results ...

Jennifer Johnson in Retail&Consumer 2026-06-28 18:08

Digital marketing used to be about clicks, but the rise of ChatGPT means it’s ‘now all about winning the mentions’

Consumers are now using large language modelslike ChatGPT to shop, requiring changes in traditional marketing practices. In the era of generative AI, companies need more branded content and third-party mentions.Some consumers are beginning to shop using ChatGPT, and digital marketing that’s geared toward web searches must shift too, experts say.Recommended VideoThe threat that generative AI poses to search engines was highlighted when Apple’s sen...

Emily Johnson in Retail&Consumer 2026-06-27 11:17

Mondelez is suing Aldi, alleging the supermarket chain ‘blatantly copies’ its packaging. The side-by-side photos are wild

Snack food maker Mondelez International is suing the Aldi supermarket chain, alleging the packaging for Aldi’s store-brand cookies and crackers “blatantly copies” Mondelez products like Chips Ahoy, Wheat Thins and Oreos.In a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday in Illinois, Chicago-based Mondelez said Aldi’s packaging was “likely to deceive and confuse customers” and threatened to irreparably harm Mondelez and its bran...

Emily Williams in Retail&Consumer 2026-06-27 11:51

The $404 million cyberattack: Britain’s M&S faces pay hit and expects disruption to last through to July

British clothes-to-food retailer Marks and Spencer on Wednesday said a cyberattack affecting its online service is set to last through to July and cost the group £300 million ($404 million).Recommended VideoMarks last week revealed that some personal data of its customers had been stolen in a cyberattack that has crippled its online services for weeks.“In Fashion, Home & Beauty, online sales and trading profit have been heavily impacted by th...

Robert Williams in Retail&Consumer 2026-06-26 11:29

Swiss running brand On became $3 billion richer in the last week. It’s coming for Nike and Adidas next

Sitting in their Zurich headquarters, On’s sanguine co-CEO, Martin Hoffmann, and his colleague and On co-founder Caspar Coppetti, have reason to be relaxed. Another quarter of unexpected growth has notched another $3 billion to their brand’s value.There is an elephant in the room, however. It’s not taking up much room though, given the elephant is a newly-empty seat at the CEO table.Hoffmann will soon take on the role of On’s CEO alone when his c...

John Smith in Retail&Consumer 2026-06-24 11:55

Memorial Day 2025 deals: Best freebies and discounts for veterans

America is taking a day to say thank you to those who have served in the military and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. And many businesses are doing so by offering extra discounts and freebies to active duty military and veterans.To take advantage of these deals, you’ll likely need your military ID. So keep that handy. Here are some of the most notable specials being offered.WalgreensFrom May 24-27, veterans, members of the military a...

Sarah Jones in Retail&Consumer 2026-06-22 11:33

Let them eat cake! French bakeries are protesting because opening on May 1 is (possibly) against the law

Knowing if you can open your business on a public holiday should seem straightforward, but the situation is less clear-cut for bakers across France.Recommended VideoAs in other countries, May 1 is Labor Day, a celebration of worker rights, and employees have the right to the day off. An exception exists for essential businesses and services, such as hospital workers. So, the issue is less about whether bakeries can open on Labor Day and more abou...

David Brown in Retail&Consumer 2026-06-22 18:08

France seeks small parcel fees as flows from China surge

France is pushing to slap fees on small packages from discount retailers including China’s Temu and Shein Group Ltd. as the flood of cheap goods risks accelerating in response to the US’s sweeping tariffs.Recommended VideoThe proposed stopgap measure to put handling fees on such imports would come ahead of a wider European overhaul of customs duties due to come into effect in 2028, Budget Minister Amelie de Montchalin said during a visit to a par...

Emily Johnson in Retail&Consumer 2026-06-21 18:40

Ryanair fares set to rise by nearly 20% as airline plots profit rebound

Ryanair fares are set for a sharp rise as the airline attempts to rebound from a double-digit hit to profits in a year where Ryanair shipped a record number of passengers.Recommended VideoEurope’s largest airline transported a record 200 million passengers in 2024, though fares were 7% lower than in the year prior. Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, said high inflation and interest rates, an off-cycle Easter, and a fall in travel agency bookings for...

Emily Johnson in Retail&Consumer 2026-06-21 18:10

Arby’s is selling a $85 outfit made entirely of napkins

Arby’s is introducing a shirt and shorts it says are made entirely of napkins. The rollout comes as the chain introduces new BBQ sandwiches.In the world of fast fashion, many clothes are virtually disposable these days. Arby’s is taking things to the next level.Recommended VideoWith National Barbeque Day approaching on May 16, the fast-food chain has introduced a button-down shirt and matching pair of shorts, which are made entirely of napkins. D...

David Williams in Retail&Consumer 2026-06-19 11:05

EU fines Delivery Hero and Glovo $376 million for running a food delivery cartel

The EU on Monday slapped German food delivery company Delivery Hero and its Spanish subsidiary Glovo with a fine worth 329 million euros ($376 million) after they violated antitrust rules.Recommended VideoEU regulators concluded Delivery Hero used its stake in Glovo between 2018 and 2022 to limit competition by exchanging sensitive information, agreeing not to poach each other’s employees, and to divide among themselves national markets for food ...

Michael Jones in Retail&Consumer 2026-06-19 18:50

Here’s what’s open (and closed) on Memorial Day 2025

Memorial Day, strictly speaking, is meant to honor American soldiers who have died in military service. But for many people, it’s the official start to summer—and to many businesses, it’s a chance for the last blowout sale before people temporarily de-emphasize shopping for outdoor pursuits.Recommended VideoSure, summer won’t officially start until next month, but as temperatures rise and community pools open, it’s an excuse to finally put away t...

Emily Miller in Retail&Consumer 2026-06-18 11:41

Hormel Foods says consumers are ‘strained’ as they trade down or hunt for value, but maintains outlook for the year

Hormel Foods maintained its full-year 2025net sales guidance at $12.2 billion despite economic uncertainty and tariff-related pressures, noting that consumers are feeling strained and adjusting their spending habits for maximum value. While tariffs have not significantly impacted Hormel yet, the company narrowed its growth and earnings forecasts slightly and emphasized strength in value-oriented and premium product lines like Applegate.In its sec...

David Brown in Retail&Consumer 2026-06-14 11:59

Lidl goes upmarket with a focus on elite London postcodes as part of its aggressive $665 million U.K. expansion

While the stars ofMade In Chelseamight find the organic quinoa a bit more difficult to locate in their new local Lidl, a shopping trip there will surely prove much more cost-effective than nipping into Whole Foods Market.Recommended VideoAnd that’s before they encounter the enticements of the eclectic discoveries within the Middle Aisle of Lidl.The news that they may be rubbing shoulders came after the German discount grocer Lidl announced ambiti...

Robert Johnson in Retail&Consumer 2026-06-12 18:54

e.l.f. CEO says customers were ‘quite positive’ about the beauty giant raising prices due to tariffs: ‘We’re not trying to pull anything over on anyone’

Budget beauty giant e.l.f. recently announcedplans to increase the cost of its products by $1 due to tariffs. CEO Tarang Amin toldFortunecustomers have reacted positively to the announcement. “This is exactly what we’re facing, and they understand,” he said. Increased pricing is one of a few mitigation strategies the company is employing given tariff uncertainty.As companies brace for the impact of tariffs by passing down increased costs to consu...

Michael Davis in Retail&Consumer 2026-06-10 18:34

Tariffs are threatening the accuracy of fall fashion trends by forcing earlier clothing shipments amid supply-chain headaches, Urban Outfitters CEO says

The fashion industry had a unique concern about the impact of tariffs. Continued uncertainty has pushed Urban Outfitters to move up shipments of its fall product, putting it at an increased risk of miscalculating fall fashion trends. Apparel retailers must strike a balance in giving themselves time to predict new styles, while also shipping inventory early enough to sell it all to consumers, Northeastern University professor Shawn Bhimani toldFor...

Michael Davis in Retail&Consumer 2026-06-10 18:34

McDonald’s pulls the plug on beverage-focused CosMc’s

McDonald’s is shutting down all of its CosMc’s locations. The doors will begin closing at the end of June. Some of the most popular drinks at the Starbucks competitor will make it onto the main menu at McDonald’s.CosMc’s, the McDonald’s spinoff meant to compete against Starbucks, is calling it quits.Recommended VideoThe fast-food chain has announced plans to close all five CosMc’s locations next month after less than two years in business. It’s a...

John Smith in Retail&Consumer 2026-06-09 18:16

Swiss watch exports to the U.S. soar nearly 150%, even as Trump’s higher tariffs are delayed

Swiss watch exports to the United States soared last month as US President Donald Trump called time out on tariffs, industry figures showed on Tuesday.Recommended VideoUS-bound shipments soared by 149.2 percent in April compared to the same month a year ago, according to the Federation of the Swiss Watch industry.Trump imposed a 10 percent tariff on imports from around the world in early April but hit dozens of countries with steeper duties, with...

Sarah Brown in Retail&Consumer 2026-06-07 11:39