Pending home sales drop to the lowest level on record in January at CNBC. “Pending sales dropped 4.6% from December to the lowest level since the National Association of Realtors began tracking this metric in 2001.” Read more

 

Bath & Body Works Q4 net sales down 4.3% Press release

 

…Bath & Body Works forecasts tepid annual results on tariffs, spending concerns at Reuters. “Bath & Body Works forecast fiscal 2025 net sales growth of to 1% to 3%, largely below analysts’ estimates for a 2.8% rise, according to data compiled by LSEG.” Read more

 

The frontloading of cargo container shipments ahead of President Trump’s anticipated tariffs on trading partners has contributed to a sharp, sudden decline in pricing power for ocean shipping companies at CNBC

 

Warby Parker Q4 net revenue increased 17.8% Press release

 

…Target and Warby Parker Team “Each Warby Parker at Target shop-in-shop will offer products and services — including glasses, sunglasses, contacts, eye exams and vision tests… The first five locations, which will be staffed by Warby Parker employees, will open in the second half of 2025…” Press release

 

‘Advice fatigue’: American consumers are tired of hearing cost-cutting tips at USA Today. “…44% of consumers said they are sick of hearing that they should save money by staying home, while 21% found the tip helpful.” Read more

 

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‘Experiential’ retail surges as landlords try to lure customers back to the mall at LA Times. “Inglewood’s Hollywood Park retail center hosts Cosm, an immersive theater that features plush stadium seating and a wraparound screen that’s 87 feet in diameter with life-like resolution that gives the venue that opened last year the feel of a scaled-down Las Vegas Sphere.” Read more

 

Amazon’s new Alexa+ uses generative AI to personalize conversations and automate tasks at GeekWire

 

Mystery Disease Linked to Bats Kills Scores in Congo at WSJ. “A fast-spreading mystery illness linked to bats has killed scores of people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with nearly half dying within 48 hours of showing symptoms, the World Health Organization said Thursday. The disease, which causes uncontrolled bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea and other symptoms of hemorrhagic fever, had infected 1,096 people and killed 60 as of Feb. 23…” WSJ subs.

 

Two Instacart alumni raise $5.5 million to build Highstock, an eBay for big brands with excess inventory Fortune subs. 

 

Helios AI to help Walmart with forecasting for agri commodities at Talk Business. “Helios CEO Francisco Martin-Rayo said this past fall was the first time Walmart opened its Open Call for technology service providers….He said Helios AI was the first tech service company to get a coveted “golden ticket.” Read more

 

Avride’s sidewalk delivery bots land in Japan at TechCrunch

 

How Walmart’s new video game miniseries lets consumers buy real-life products at Ad Age. “Walmart has launched a video game miniseries in which players can shop for physical products from real brands without having to leave the gaming environment. The effort, which takes place inside gaming platform Spatial, is Walmart’s latest attempt to offer real-world commerce opportunities within virtual settings, following similar activations on Roblox (and) social app Zepeto…” Ad Age subs.

 

Target Announces Partnership with Champion Press release

 

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