+ November consumer prices rose at a 2.7% annual rate vs. 3.1% expected at CNBC. "Core CPI, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, was also cooler than anticipated, increasing 2.6% over 12 months. It was expected to have increased by 3%." Read more   Elliott Builds Over $1 Billion Stake in Lululemon at WSJ. "Elliott has been working closely with veteran retail executive Jane Nielsen, a former chief financial officer and chief operating officer at Ralph Lauren, who they see as a potential Lululemon CEO candidate, the people familiar with the matter said." WSJ subs.   Walmart’s $115,000 [...]

  Consumers are feeling gloomy about the economy. Here’s why they’re spending anyway at CNBC. "Marcus Feldman, a biotech project manager from Cambridge, Mass., said he will spend about 15% more this year on the holidays...“Every headline says people are scared to spend,” he said. “Then I walk down [one of Boston’s major shopping streets] Newbury Street on a Saturday and it’s shoulder-to-shoulder.” Read more   US retail sales were little changed in October at Bloomberg. "The value of retail purchases, not adjusted for inflation, was essentially unchanged after a revised 0.1% gain in September, according to a Commerce Department [...]

  Eli Lilly’s next-generation obesity drug helped patients with obesity and a type of knee arthritis lose an average of 23.7% of their body weight at CNBC   Walt Disney Company and OpenAI reach landmark agreement "As part of this three-year licensing agreement, Sora will be able to generate short, user-prompted social videos that can be viewed and shared by fans, drawing on more than 200 Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars characters." Press release   Prada to launch $930 ‘Made in India’ sandals after backlash at Reuters. "Prada will make a limited-edition collection of sandals in India inspired by [...]

  Doug McMillon on CNBC set this morning "Walmart CEO Doug McMillon joins ‘Squawk Box’ to discuss the move of the company stock to Nasdaq, why he’s stepping down as CEO, impact of AI on retail, state of the consumer, and more." Video   Target Opens "Target SoHo" "...a one-of-a-kind concept store where everyday shopping meets play, discovery and style. Located in the heart of New York City at 600 Broadway..." Press release   CVS forecasts 2026 profit above estimates as turnaround plan takes effect at CNBC. "The upbeat outlook caps a year in which CEO David Joyner pushed through [...]

  Costco November comp sales (ex-fuel & f/x) +6.4% : US +5.8% / Canada +8.3% / Other Int'l +8.0% / Digitally-Enabled +16.3% Press release   Dollar General Q3 comp sales +2.5% Press release   McLay, Nicholas touted as top prospects for Walmart U.S. job at Talk Business. "When Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner moves up the Walmart corporate ladder following the announced Jan. 31 retirement of Walmart CEO Doug McMillon, the short list to replace Furner includes Kath McLay and Chris Nicholas. McLay is president and CEO of Walmart International, and Nicholas is president and CEO of Sam’s Club." Read more [...]

  Costco sues Trump administration for ‘full refund’ of tariffs at The Hill. "The list of companies who’ve recently sued include players in the auto industry — like Kawasaki — and several corporations part of the Toyota Group, food companies like Bumble Bee Foods and the cosmetics business Revlon. Even board game company Smirk & Dagger Games filed a suit." Read more   Walmart delivered 57% more orders from stores on Black Friday this year than last year, with 44% more orders delivered in under 3 hours Press release   Amazon’s AI chatbot Rufus drove sales on Black Friday at [...]