Modern Retail

Introducing the Modern Retail Vanguard. To create this series, we selected individuals from companies like Walmart, Erewhon, Wayfair, and more, who exemplify the skills needed to succeed in today’s retail environment. Check out the full list here: buff.ly/3KJmpyH

Cruise ships and duty-free shops are seeing an uptick in purchases, especially in high-end and vintage categories. buff.ly/1ygql6x

During its latest quarterly earnings report on Thursday, Alibaba disclosed aggressive growth goals for its AI and cloud computing divisions as it seeks to maintain its dominance in the agentic AI era. buff.ly/wn7HxEf

Amazon says customers are making three times more purchases through Alexa+ than the classic version, as the company bets its generative AI assistant will drive shopping engagement and deeper Prime ecosystem usage. buff.ly/m6hVZ79

Beef tallow-made food is making its way to mass grocery shelves, as brands like Masa, Prima, and Jesse and Ben’s expand nationally. Now, the rise in retail and consumer demand is causing higher production costs. buff.ly/EYDLyZy

Instagram's controversial Shop the Look rollout didn't ask for creators' consent, nor did it tag products they've endorsed. What did they learn from it? buff.ly/2u5oyxT

It’s easy enough to talk about how AI can benefit brand and retail operations, but the extent to which brand and retail organizations are ready to successfully utilize the technology is a different conversation entirely. And AI readiness looks different for every brand and retailer, depending on what data they have access to, what kind […] buff.ly/dRSujQI

Handbag and accessories brand Parker Thatch recently remodeled its store to serve as both a sales channel and a broadcast studio, as the brand sees more success from livestreaming across Instagram and YouTube. buff.ly/WoztSX0

March Madness is becoming a more integral part of the brand marketing playbook, as NIL deals make it easier for startups to find a way into the cultural conversation around the NCAA tournament. Here's what the Madness campaigns of brands like Every Man Jack and NYX entail this year. buff.ly/FiUfgAd

Justin Jefferson, vp of strategy and insights, Keen Decision Systems The honeymoon phase of retail media is over. After years of explosive, low-hanging-fruit growth, the channel has reached a high-stakes maturity. With retail media now commanding 22% of total media budgets, the pressure to deliver more than a decent ROAS has reached a breaking point. […] buff.ly/IcLrjKd

In an era where AI-generated content proliferates, the brands that stand out will be those that remain human at their core. Sponsored by Expedia Group Advertising buff.ly/rBPZmar

Travel bag and backpack brand Cotopaxi plans to double its North American store count from 20 locations to 40 locations in the next three years, its CEO told Modern Retail buff.ly/jqcOBj9

Little Spoon is launching infant formula as part of its strategy to become an end-to-end baby and kid food company. buff.ly/9wGKZuk

Poppi founder Allison Ellsworth spoke with Modern Retail about her go-to grocery items and what she splurged on after selling her company to PepsiCo. buff.ly/FF8Xcqt

Grocers and C-stores are turning to digital alcohol rebates to try to boost alcohol sales and digital engagement. buff.ly/ttCbbaO

Fifth Avenue is a retail powerhouse, known for glitzy flagships like Tiffany and Armani. But it's also a time of change for the more than 200-year-old avenue and the nonprofit that keeps it moving. buff.ly/0v8Fbzd

This week's Modern Retail Podcast dives into what food and beverage trends are expected to dominate in 2026, fresh off of Expo West. buff.ly/icJUR5C

Supplement startup Cymbiotika has landed in Ulta as its year of retail expansion continues, fueled by a sizable seed round and increased consumer interest in wellness. buff.ly/eTv6S0m

Shopify told merchants their products will soon be discoverable and purchasable inside ChatGPT through its new “agentic storefronts” feature despite reports that OpenAI is scaling back Instant Checkout in ChatGPT. buff.ly/DiFbJk8

Amazon is expanding Shop Direct, a program that lets shoppers find and buy products from other retailers even when those items aren’t sold on Amazon.com. buff.ly/ghugDQB

Americans are seeing higher tax refunds this year, which has the potential to drive some consumer spending. But the boon for retailers may be short-lived. buff.ly/tOs2JAH