U.S. economy grew 2% from January-March at AP. "Growth in consumer spending, which accounts for 70% of U.S. economic activity, slowed to 1.6% in the first quarter from 1.9% at the end of 2025. But business investment, likely driven by investments in artificial intelligence, rose at an 8.7% pace." Read more   eBay Inc. Q1 revenue +19% Press release   Amazon earnings beat expectations at CNBC. "Revenue in its online stores segment...grew 12% in the first quarter to $64.3 billion, higher than analysts’ estimated $62.7 billion...announced this year’s Prime Day discount bonanza will be held in June, a month [...]

  Coca-Cola beats estimates; Global unit case volume +3% / Net revenues +12% Press release   Washington Attorney General accuses Albertsons, Safeway of fake BOGO deals at King 5. "One example cited in the lawsuit involves a Gig Harbor Albertsons, where the price of a 16.9-ounce bottle of O Organics Extra Virgin Olive Oil increased from $6.99 to $10.99 before a BOGO promotion. The price went back to $6.99 after the promotion ended, according to the complaint." Read more   The Sherwin-Williams Company Q1 consolidated net sales +6.8% Press release   UPS Q1 2026 earnings beat estimates as profit falls at [...]

  Trump reclassifies state-licensed medical marijuana as a less-dangerous drug in a historic shift at AP. "...does not legalize marijuana for medical or recreational use under U.S. law. But it does change the way it’s regulated, shifting licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I — reserved for drugs without medical use and with high potential for abuse — to the less strictly regulated Schedule III." Read more   Americans cut spending due to higher gas prices and see no relief in sight at CNBC. "About 60% of respondents have cut back on entertainment like eating out, movies and concerts to save [...]

  Retail sales up 1.7% in March; driven by a spike in gas prices at Yahoo/AP. "Excluding gas prices, the number was a slim 0.6%...Business at gas stations rose 15.5% percent. Elsewhere, sales at department stores rose 4.2%, while sales at furniture stores were up 2.2%. Online retailers saw a 1% gain." Read more   Tractor Supply Q1 comp sales +0.5% "Comparable average ticket increased 1.6%, partially offset by a comparable average transaction count decrease of 1.0%...Four of five product categories delivered positive comparable sales growth...Companion animal performance was below the Company average..." Press release   Amazon ‘strong-armed’ Levi’s, Hanes [...]

  Amazon sellers boycott ads in policy change revolt: ‘We’re running out of f---ing margin’ at CNBC. "The 24-hour advertising boycott is being organized by Million Dollar Sellers, a community of more than 700 members...Sellers have complained for years, but this feels different,” MDS co-founder Eugene Khayman said in a post on X about the boycott. “The reason is simple: this is no longer just about irritation. It is about cash extraction.” Read more   Cattle prices soar to record highs as grilling season heats up at CNBC. "Live cattle futures traded at the CME Group settled at $2.51 per [...]

  Lowe's CEO @ CNBC This Morning "CNBC’s “Squawk Box” team discusses Lowe’s business performance, its new subscription service HomeCare+ and more with Lowe’s CEO Marvin Ellison." 4:16 video   China’s exports grew 2.5% in March in a sharp slowdown as Iran war raises uncertainty AP News   Wholesale prices rose 0.5% in March, much less than the 1.1% expected at CNBC   Albertsons Companies, Inc. Q4 ID Sales +0.7% "In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, the Company recorded a loss of $773.8 million...related to the opioid settlement framework announced today..." Press release   NRF: Top 50 Global Retailers [...]

  Amazon and U.S. Postal Service Reach Delivery Deal at WSJ. "Instead of reducing the number of packages Amazon ships through the Postal Service by two-thirds...the two sides now have a tentative deal that will result in a 20% reduction...(Amazon) is the Postal Service’s largest customer, shipping nearly 15% of all the packages that the USPS delivered in the country last year." WSJ subs.   Lowe’s is investing $250 million to train skilled trades workers at Fortune. "... to help train 250,000 skilled trades workers in fields like plumbing, carpentry, and electrical work. The company had previously committed over $50 [...]

  Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For (Wegmans #5, Target #29, Sheetz #32, Publix #50) List/Fortune subs.    BJ’s new Chief Merchandising Officer hails from Sam’s Club "Stephanie Reibling...most recently (served) as senior vice president, general merchandise manager at Sam’s Club...Earlier in her career, Reibling held divisional merchandising roles at Walmart...She also held leadership roles at Gap Inc." Press release   Visa says AI could start making purchases for you at Fast Company. "Only about a third are comfortable with AI completing a purchase, and fewer are willing to let it spend without approval. That gap points to a broader [...]