On today's episode, we discuss why Amazon is slowing down, its Buy with Prime initiative, and how Amazon's advertising business is getting on. "In Other News," we talk about whether Walmart+ is actually competing with Amazon Prime and what Target's strategy has been to compete with Amazon. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Andrew Lipsman.

Inflation hasn’t hurt retail sales, which grew 7.2% in April: That growth stems from people flocking to stores. In-store sales rose 10.0%, while ecommerce sales fell 1.8%.

Nearly 1 in 5 Black consumers in the US view brands as generally disingenuous for holding Black History Month promotions, recent research shows. A partnership with Black consumers should start with a deep understanding and appreciation of the elements that make them, as individuals and as a group, unique.

Diversification is key to Harry’s and ThirdLove’s growth plans: With consumer enthusiasm waning for direct-to-consumer models, the two companies offer a glimpse of what’s to come.

Retailers need multiple approaches to curb the cost of returns: With online returns costing retailers 21% of their order value on average, retailers need several ways to lower associated fees.

Amazon flexes its market power with seller surcharges, anti-union stance: Despite rapid growth during the pandemic, the ecommerce giant is passing fuel and inflation costs onto its sellers while resisting calls to improve working conditions.

The apparel resale market heats up: We expect annual average sales per buyer via online fashion resale marketplaces will more than double between 2021 and 2025.

Private label brands have taken on increasing importance in retailers’ arsenals on the heels of positive consumer sentiment. This report looks at how retailers can use store brands to bolster their product assortment and thus increase their margins.

Here’s a breakdown of the online and in-store features that apparel retail shoppers value the most, and a ranking of how 10 leading retailers stack up.

This inaugural benchmark evaluates 10 leading digital grocery services, ranked based on consumers’ demand for 30 different features.

A changing grocery delivery landscape forces Instacart to diversify: The delivery company launches a suite of retailer-focused tech solutions as rivals encroach on its turf.

Retailers need to take note of consumers’ shifting shopping behaviors: Rising inflation and supply chain shortages have driven consumers to adjust where and how they spend their money.

US retail sales growth will stabilize in 2022, but changes wrought by two years of the pandemic will drive growth in online automotive and grocery sales.

Retailers take last-mile fulfillment into their own hands: Companies like Costco and Amazon are building their own logistics networks, to the detriment of FedEx and UPS.

Consumer trust in eco-friendly claims is wavering: That’s driving large retailers such as Amazon, Target, and Starbucks to find new ways to demonstrate the effectiveness of their efforts.

Hear how Pinterest is doing and whether they're close to being acquired. For "In Other News," we discuss an interesting stat about Target and Amazon's new app that lets you DJ your own radio show. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Andrew Lipsman.

US click-and-collect sales will maintain strong momentum over the near term, but the fulfillment method is no longer meaningfully stealing dollar volume share from delivery or from in-store purchasing.

Here’s how ad buyers ranked the retail media networks of 11 major retailers—Amazon, Best Buy, Costco Wholesale, eBay, The Home Depot, Instacart, Kroger, Macy’s, Target, Walmart, and Wayfair—according to the attributes they value most.

Can membership programs provide a new revenue stream for retailers? Best Buy and Walmart are taking a page from Amazon Prime and AppleCare as they build out their programs.

Amazon’s freewheeling approach to brick-and-mortar is at an end: The retail giant closes stores as it focuses on boosting profitability and winning grocery market share from Walmart and Target.