NYC To Open First Municipal Grocery Store in East Harlem
Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced New York City's first city-run grocery store will open at La Marqueta by 2027 to combat rising food costs through subsidized essential goods.
Beyond the Checkout: AI’s Real Impact on Retail Discovery
While industry debates focus on frictionless checkout, the true retail shift in 2026 lies in how artificial intelligence is fundamentally rewriting the rules of product search and discovery.
Kroger and YouTube Partnership Revolutionizes Retail Media Integration
Kroger’s collaboration with YouTube connects brand awareness to performance marketing, creating a seamless omnichannel bridge for advertisers to measure full-funnel retail media effectiveness.
Church’s Texas Chicken Enters China With 600-Store Agreement
This landmark international development deal marks a strategic expansion into the Chinese market.
McDonald’s Expands Menu with Energy Drinks and Crafted Sodas
McDonald's is launching a nationwide beverage expansion featuring Red Bull infusions and "dirty sodas" to capture a larger share of the $100 billion global drink market.
Global Conflict Impacts Luxury Retail Sales at Dubai Mall
This report analyzes how regional instability affects luxury brand profits and global supply chain dynamics for retailers operating in major international shopping hubs.
Retail in 2026: Navigating Peak Ambiguity
Master the era of peak ambiguity in retail. Scott Benedict breaks down Forrester Research on economic volatility, discovery disruption across social commerce, and the realistic role of AI in 2026. Learn why adaptability and high quality product data are the new essentials for retail success.
Ep. 16 - Human Connection: Why Relationships Drive Media Success
Explore the future of retail media and AI live from Rogers, Arkansas. We discuss Samsung’s smart fridge ads, Walmart’s agentic shopping shift, and why AI should be a career amplifier, not a black box. Learn why curiosity and data storytelling are the new fundamentals for retail media teams.
Placer.ai March 2026 Mall Index Shows Midday Traffic Risks
New Placer.ai data reveals that while open-air centers maintain momentum, indoor and outlet malls face traffic declines due to weakening midday shopping demand across the retail landscape.
Macy’s Launches Year-Long Celebrations Start at Macy’s Campaign
Macy’s is leveraging its iconic event portfolio to launch a year-long "Celebrations Start at Macy’s" platform, driving omnichannel engagement through milestone anniversaries.
Family Dollar Pilots Extra-Small Box Format for Urban Markets
Following its separation from Dollar Tree, Family Dollar is launching an extra-small box store format to capture growth in high-density urban neighborhoods.
2026 Tax Refunds Surge: A Strategic Boost for Retail Sales
Federal tax refunds are projected to rise by 20% in 2026, injecting billions into the retail economy and shifting consumer focus toward discretionary goods and debt reduction.
The New Rules of Walmart Growth: Engineering AI Performance
As Walmart transitions to agentic search and AI-driven discovery, brands must master structured data and generative engine optimization to maintain organic visibility.
Split Spending: How Survival and Splurge Define the 2026 Consumer
A new PYMNTS Intelligence report reveals a "consumer wallet reset" as shoppers bifurcate spending between disciplined essentials at Walmart and aspirational discretionary splurges on Amazon.
Capital One Redefines Hybrid Travel for Modern Business Leaders
New data reveals how entrepreneurs and executives integrate personal renewal into professional travel schedules to improve work-life balance and operational efficiency.
Gen Z Prioritizes Premium Wellness and Beauty Spending in 2026
A new 2026 retail survey reveals that Gen Z consumers are reallocating budgets to prioritize premium health, wellness, and beauty products over traditional discretionary categories.