Retail & E-commerce

Swap Commerce raises $100 million six months after a $40 million Series B

Swap Commerce, a London- and New York-based e-commerce startup that competes with Shopify, announced a $100 million funding round six months after raising a $40 million Series B.

Agentic Commerce is Redefining Retail—Here’s How to Respond

AI shopping agents are transforming retail by automating consumer interactions, posing challenges for traditional retailers who must adapt to maintain relevance.

Online holiday spending growth set to slow to 5.3% as shoppers seek discounts

Online holiday spending in the U.S. is projected to increase by 5.3% to $253.4 billion, despite a slowdown from last year's growth.

From PepsiCo to Taco Bell, dirty soda is taking over

The dirty soda trend, initiated by Swig, is revitalizing the beverage industry, with major brands like PepsiCo launching new products inspired by this phenomenon.

'A broken business': The company behind the makeover of bankrupt retailer Claire's

Ames Watson has acquired bankrupt tween retailer Claire's for $140 million, aiming to revitalize the brand through merchandising and marketing upgrades.

CarMax stock plummets 20% following 'challenging' quarter

CarMax shares fell over 20% after missing quarterly earnings and revenue expectations, with a significant decline in vehicle sales and net income.

Indonesia’s thrifty window shoppers cast doubt on economic success story

Indonesians are increasingly engaging in window shopping, reflecting economic challenges and changing consumer habits, as seen in the rise of terms 'Rohana' and 'Rojali'.

Seasonal retail hiring to fall to lowest level since 2009, signaling trouble for holidays, report says

Retail seasonal hiring is projected to hit its lowest level since 2009, indicating a potentially weaker holiday shopping season.

Club nation: Why Costco, Sam's Club and BJ's are opening new stores and gaining members

Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's are expanding as younger consumers embrace warehouse memberships, driven by inflation and enhanced shopping experiences.

Luxury face cream from a pizza parlor: Inside fraud on Walmart.com

A CNBC investigation reveals Walmart's online marketplace has seen a rise in counterfeit products due to lax vetting of third-party sellers, raising safety concerns.

Amazon’s October Prime Day sale is happening on October 7th

Amazon has announced its Prime Big Deal Days event, scheduled for October 7-8, 2025. This sale aims to kickstart the holiday shopping season, offering Prime members discounts on various products, including electronics and Amazon devices. Early deals are already available, with significant savings on items like the Fire HD 8 Kids Pro Tablet and Kindle Paperwhite. The event will take place in multiple countries, including the US, UK, and for the first time, Colombia and Mexico.

Convenience stores are eating fast-food chains' breakfast

Food-forward convenience stores are increasingly attracting breakfast customers away from fast-food chains, with visits to these stores rising 9% compared to a 1% increase for fast-food. The trend is driven by a growing preference for prepared foods and a wider variety of options at convenience stores. As consumer habits shift, fast-food chains are adapting by incorporating breakfast items into value meals and observing successful strategies from convenience stores. This shift highlights the evolving landscape of the breakfast market.

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