Consumer confidence plummets to lowest level since January 2021 at CNN

 

Affirm announces JPMorgan Chase merchants can soon offer installment loans at checkout at CNBC. “U.S. merchants who use JPMorgan to handle payments can soon add Affirm to their checkout pages, according to a release. Consumers will have access to loans ranging from 30 days to 60 months, according to Affirm.” Read more

 

Retailers Bulk Up Inventories to Blunt Tariff Impact at WSJ. “The Logistics Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of supply-chain managers, showed inventory levels expanded in February at the fastest rate since June 2022. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in California, the main gateway for imports from China, were flooded with container volumes last seen during the Covid-19 pandemic to start the year.” WSJ subs.

 

Walmart Heiress’ Veiled Trump Critique Breaks Billionaire Quiet at Bloomberg. “Christy Walton, an heiress to the Walmart Inc. retail fortune, placed a full-page advertisement in Sunday’s New York Times calling on America to uphold its democratic principles. Headlined “USA, USA, USA,” the ad shows an image of the Statue of Liberty at sunset alongside eight declarations, including “we respect our neighbors and trading partners” and “we defend against aggression by dictators.” Bloomberg subs.

 

Kroger’s new interim CEO Ron Sargent is getting paid an annual salary of nearly $4.4 million and given a $3.9 million stock grant at Cincy Enquirer

 

**Sensi named a “Best Smart Thermostat of 2024” by CNET noting its simple and intuitive display, which allows you to make changes easily. Website | Contact: info@eyeonretail.net

 

The Surprising Good News for Mall Owners: Forever 21’s Bankruptcy at WSJ. “High-end malls are nearly fully occupied and rents are rising. Leasing is even starting to pick up in second-tier properties…Business is so good at Westfield malls that its European owner…has decided to stick around the U.S. The Paris-headquartered company said in 2022 that it would move quickly to unload most of its American portfolio, which included about two dozen malls.” WSJ subs.

 

Wayfair has a quality problem. Its new ‘Verified’ program wants to fix it at Fast Company. “…unveils a new program called “Verified” that involves merchants painstakingly examining a selection of furniture on Wayfair’s site. The company has selected a small fraction—50,000 pieces by the end of the year—that will be verified for quality, durability, and value. The brand will highlight “Verified” furniture with a new purple check, and these pieces will surface higher in search results.” Read more

 

Buc-ee’s files trademark suit against Barc-ee’s at MYSA

 

The most innovative companies in retail for 2025 (J.Crew, Coupang, IKEA…) at Fast Company Top 10 list | The World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies

 

Reality setting in for workers who thought Hudson’s Bay would never close at Financial Post. “From concerns about losing their homes to regrets about not accepting a previous severance offer that could have potentially paid them three times as much money, there were “a lot of tears” among some of Hudson’s Bay Co. ULC’s roughly 9,000 employees this week as Canada’s oldest departmental store started liquidating its outlets on Monday.” Read more

 

2,400 grocery workers to decide whether Tony’s Fresh Market will go union at Chicago Tribune/Yahoo

 

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Joins the S&P 500 Press release

 

**Advertise your product, service or trade show in Eye on Retail Tipsheet to get in front of the most powerful retail decision-makers in the world. Contact: info@eyeonretail.net