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As Christmas looms, the shipping wars accelerate

Dec 21, 2023
UPS and FedEx, not to mention Target and Walmart, are all racing to keep up with Amazon's same- or next- day shipping options because shoppers have become used to faster delivery times.
Amazon says more than half of Prime orders arrived same day or next day during the first half of this year in the 60 biggest U.S. metro areas.
Octavio Jones/Getty Images

Members-only retailers are a status symbol in China

Sep 18, 2023
While regular supermarkets are struggling in China, aspirational consumers keep Sam’s Club, Costco and its Chinese competitor Freshippo X expanding.
A shopper walks out with a full shopping cart from a Sam's Club in Shanghai. Membership retailers are expanding in China despite traditional supermarkets struggling.
Charles Zhang/Marketplace

CEO turnover is booming. What's going on?

Apr 19, 2023
According to a new report from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas, CEO turnover hit its highest rate last quarter since 2020.
Several major companies like The Body Shop and Dr. Martens have announced exits from their C-suites recently.
Gabriel Bouys/AFP via Getty Images

Walmart’s store closures in Chicago highlight the challenges of urban big box retail

Apr 13, 2023
Walmart says that, collectively, its Chicago stores aren’t profitable. But academics point out they’ll still leave a hole when they’re gone.
A worker collects shopping carts at a Walmart store in Chicago. The company announced the closure of half of its stores in the city this week.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Walmart is shopping an unexpected product: its technology

Jan 17, 2023
Analysts say the world's largest retailer is growing its footprint in services as it seeks new sources of revenue.
Walmart's new partnership with Salesforce is helping it branch out more into services and tech.
Samuel Corum//AFP via Getty Images

Walmart joins CVS and Walgreens in landmark opioid settlement

Nov 16, 2022
The agreement is with several U.S. states, cities, and Native American tribes.
A sign for Walmart is displayed outside its store in Washington, DC.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Walmart's employee insurance will soon cover fertility treatments

Sep 29, 2022
Walmart is pairing with Kindbody, a fertility startup, in a move some say could make fertility treatments more affordable and accessible.
The retail giant's move to include fertility benefits is an indicator of how companies are trying to retain employees.
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Companies plan to hire fewer seasonal workers this year

Sep 22, 2022
Retailers are worried that inflation and fear of a potential recession will impact holiday spending.
Walmart said it plans to hire 40,000 seasonal workers for the holidays this year. It brought on 150,000 in 2021.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

For every unsold good, there's a liquidator waiting

Aug 24, 2022
Big-box retailers are dumping excess inventory because of lower sales. Liquidators, who resell that merchandise, are thriving.
sinopics/Getty Images

What Walmart and Home Depot's rising sales say about consumer sentiment

Aug 16, 2022
Walmart customers are thinking about rising prices. Home Depot customers are thinking about rising interest rates.
A look at Home Depot's sales indicates that people are opting to improve their existing homes rather than buy a new place.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images