Few areas of digital marketing have exploded in recent years as much as affiliate marketing. On this week's Modern Retail Podcast, co-hosts Gabriela Barkho and Melissa Daniels answer listener questions related to how the affiliate landscape is changing.
Trashie, which has run a take-back program for textiles since 2024, is now getting into toys. Here's why the company believes toys is a category that's ripe for a new method of recycling.
As retailers and brands continue to build out both customer-facing and internal functionalities using AI, the conversation has also shifted toward what executives don't want it being used for.
As e-commerce becomes increasingly discovery-driven, brands are looking to capture demand year-round through new sales events, such as Deals For You Days. Sponsored by TikTok Shop
Modern Retail Top Workplaces is an annual list of the best brands and retailers to work for. This year’s honorees are setting the standard for workplace excellence, leading with purpose, investing in their people and building cultures that drive both employee success and business growth. Modern Retail’s Top Workplaces: Boll & BranchBoll & Branch is […]
Consumer spending has held up surprisingly well amid rising gas prices and sustained inflation — but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to get shoppers to open their wallets. Modern Retail spoke with some brand execs and agency heads about what results they saw during the first half of the year, and how they are looking to keep consumers engaged over the summer.
Talent agencies are training creators to think like retailers, helping them set up online storefronts, prepare for major sales events and show brands hard evidence that their audiences spend money.
Miniso plans to open larger stores alongside Walmart, Target and Ulta stores, focusing on those rather than mall stores and highlighting new, owned IP.
Kearney's 2026 State of Logistics Report shows that AI is helping streamline operations, even as a fully automated supply chain remains a far-off reality.
Retailers are beginning to use AI to automate certain parts of the merchandising process, to determine what to order or even make deals on their behalf.
Prime Day is expected to draw more shoppers this year, with consumers hunting for deeper discounts, stocking up on essentials and encountering more AI-powered shopping tools.
World Cup tourists are going viral for their posts about visiting Walmart for the first time, or trying food from Buc-ee's. Brands are starting to catch on, but it's too early to tell whether this will result in a spike in sales.
Faire is growing beyond boutiques by allowing business buyers to use the platform for their own purposes, like stocking mini bars, for client gifts or for front desk amenities.
Expect more limited-edition red, white and blue packaging on retail shelves this summer, as brands turn out to celebrate America 250. Brand leaders at Xochitl, Goldbelly and more spoke with Modern Retail about why they are turning out for the occasion and what purpose they think America 250-themed products serve.
Brands are raising free shipping thresholds, adding new delivery fees and testing paid shipping options as higher fuel costs push up the price of moving goods across supply chains.
Leaders across e-commerce are transforming how they approach designing product pages to be more discoverable to AI agents like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini.
Amazon sellers are heading into this year's Prime Day with more confidence than they had a year ago, even as higher costs continue to pressure margins.
As a result of rapid population and housing growth in Utah and Idaho, major retail chains are opening new stores in the region, in cities they once may have glanced over.
On this week's Modern Retail Podcast, senior reporter Gabriela Barkho is joined by executive editor Anna Hensel to talk all things World Cup marketing.
Open-box marketplace Rebel, which raised a $25 million Series B last November, is now getting into the snacks category. The new section launched with better-for-you, shelf-stable brands like MadeGood, Purely Elizabeth, Chomps and Annie's, at discounts of 12-70%.
Walmart is on a mission to prove that it has the latest, greatest and trendiest assortment, and that it can get it to you faster than anyone else. Last week, reporter Mitchell Parton flew down to the retailer's hometown of Bentonville, Arkansas for Associates Week, its annual shareholder meeting and event where it brings in thousands of employees from around the world. Here's what he found.
Online merchants are encouraged by a new Trump administration effort to crack down on customs fraud after a surge in tariff evasion schemes rattled sellers over the past year.
The quadrennial men’s World Cup is one of the biggest sporting events in the world, giving global soccer players and fans a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see their team take home the prize. And with billions of viewers tuning in from around the world, it is also a rare opportunity for brands to capitalize on the frenzy. Four years after Qatar, that now includes grooming brands looking to use the power of soccer to reach the evolving male beauty consumer base.
The growing meat snacks market is attracting new brands like Singing Pastures to jump in to challenge incumbents, even as major startups like Chomps and Archer continue to dominate the better-for-you subcategory.
Walmart executives are training associates to use AI widely throughout the organization. For example, store managers can create digital dashboards for scheduling, or merchandising associates can turn dense text into useful graphics.
As the 2026 World Cup arrives in North America, brands including Lotto, Ksubi, Nike and Adidas are using old kits, archive sneakers, national colors and fan dressing to tap into football nostalgia.
Ranger Station, known for unisex fragrances and candles, chose Charleston for its third store by combining customer data with on-the-ground experience.
The entire retail media industry, from retail media networks to agencies and tech platforms, is showing up in full force to promote brands during the World Cup and prove the effectiveness of the sector.
As digital price tags have gained more prominence over the last few years, some shoppers and legislators have feared they would lead to "dynamic pricing," charging customers different prices based on the timing of their purchase or, worse, their individual data.
One in three Americans is set to watch the World Cup this summer, leading many brands to look into last-minute partnerships, proximity marketing initiatives and social campaigns tied to the tournament. Official partnerships are pricey, but there are still opportunities across host cities for brands seeking a timely halo effect. Modern Retail sat down with media buying experts to learn more.
Shopping center owners hope the World Cup will provide a much-needed win for American malls. From American Dream's 39-day fan fest to Atlantic Village's restaurant play, here's how various malls are looking to attract both tourists and locals.
One year after launching on Substack, brands are finding sales, subscribers and new customers. Here are the results brands like The RealReal and Rare Beauty have seen a year into their Substack journey.
Big VC rounds are becoming rare among CPG brands. But some, like Brami and Mosh, are proving to be the exception to the rule when it comes to attracting big venture dollars. Here's what worked for them in securing new funding.
Even without official FIFA sponsorship, Crumbl and Olipop are getting into the spirit of soccer this summer, with product releases and activations tied to the World Cup.
Walmart executives are beginning to take a more international approach to growing its higher-margin businesses such as advertising, memberships and its third-party marketplace. On Thursday, Walmart+, the retailer's paid membership program, launched in Canada — the first time it has been available outside of the U.S.
This week, the Modern Retail Podcast features a conversation on Pride Month marketing with LGBTQ+ marketing experts Matt Tumminello and Matt Wagner about how expectations for campaigns have shifted. They argue that "Pride marketing" is actually in its third act as cultural winds change
Rhino USA is building a 182-acre Texas campus to fuel content creation after becoming an unlikely TikTok Shop success story, surpassing eight figures in revenue on the platform.
Artificial intelligence is allowing Walmart to achieve levels of personalization it has long dreamed of. At the same time, the company is also cracking down on redundant or inefficient uses of AI internally, knowing the technology has a price tag.
Chewy says its retail media network has doubled the number of campaigns and advertisers on the platform year-over-year. Here's how it has sought to stand out from other retail media networks in the space.
The Cycle believes its menstrual cycle-synced drinks are poised for explosive retail growth. But first, it has to convince buyers to carry its products -- and, where to put them in stores.
Stanley 1913's Quencher tumbler became the "it" product of the early 2020s. Now, the company wants to prove it's more than a viral water bottle, through various expansions.
Four years ago, three friends spent $750 to launch a dad-focused hat brand. Now, Dad Gang does $35 million in sales and just landed a collab with Shopify.
Target's relationship with Black founders is under a microscope, as the retailer mounts a comeback.
Modern Retail spoke with several Black founders who refuse to work with Target again, or whose products have been pulled from the shelves over the last few years. Some cited the company's decision to pull back on certain DEI programs last year as a source of lingering frustration.
Justin Jefferson, vp, strategy and insight, Keen Decision Systems Retail marketers are navigating a marketing landscape defined by consolidation and heightened accountability. As retail media networks evolve beyond the initial gold rush, advertisers’ focus has shifted from merely having a presence to proving performance. Likewise, with ad budgets under intense scrutiny, marketing success now requires […]
Brooklinen has spent the past year quietly relaunching 80% of its product line. Here's why the company believes that is so important to building trust with customers and fueling Brooklinen's next chapter of growth.
Interluxe Group, a marketing agency that primarily does events for luxury brands like Rolls-Royce and The Four Seasons, is acquiring a performance marketing agency called adMixt as agency expectations evolve for luxury brands.
Quince is embarking on a series of physical pop-ups this year. The latest in-person event took place over the weekend in Los Angeles, highlighting the brand's growing homeware collection.
Pacsun's strategy to connect with Gen Z is focused on co-creation with customers. CEO Brie Olson joins the Modern Retail Podcast this week to give her insights on how the brand regained relevance among young people.
Higher gas prices could end up benefiting Amazon’s e-commerce business as consumers look for ways to avoid driving to stores and focus more of their spending on household essentials.
Major retailers like Walmart and Target are removing artificial food dyes from their aisles, especially in products like cereals and frozen treats. This has been a boon for startups already carrying naturally-colored products in their respective categories.
Amazon is starting to sell the technology behind its AI shopping assistant to other retailers, as the e-commerce giant looks to become a bigger player in the fast-growing market for AI-powered shopping tools.
Walmart has evolved beyond its reputation as a low-cost retailer into one giving brands that have started online, are new to physical retail or sit at higher price points the opportunity to scale throughout the U.S.
Everlane founder Michael Preysman is teasing a new brand after the Shein sale, but he's not the first DTC founder to attempt a second act. We look between the lines at what's driving all of these serial entrepreneurs.
St. John's Bay, a private clothing brand under JCPenney, is ranked first in sales across the entire JCPenney portfolio. Its rise mirrors the spike in private-label goods across other retailers.
Made-to-order rug brand Ernesta and pet-tracker startup Tractive are trying to boost their customer bases at a time of larger macroeconomic uncertainty. At the Lead Summit in New York City, both brands spoke about how they crafted their marketing playbooks and balance paid and organic marketing.
As more shoppers use AI chatbots for recommendations, supplement brand Olly is updating its product pages with clearer descriptions and FAQs to boost AI-driven sales.
Two-year-old brand Nocturnal Skincare created its recent spring campaign on a $100 budget. Thanks to the DIY approach, the brand was able to save on creatives to invest in other areas of the business.
Last week, retail giants including Home Depot, Walmart, Target, TJX and Urban Outfitters, Inc. reported their quarterly earnings. And there were a surprising number of bright spots considering the inflationary pressure both retailers and consumers have faced over the past year.
First quarter earnings results reveal some strong growth in the retail sector along with concerns from macroeconomic conditions like high fuel prices and budget-conscious shoppers.
Higher fuel prices due to the war with Iran are putting pressure on Walmart's customers and supply chain, and could lead to higher prices on the shelf.
Shein’s purported acquisition of Everlane isn’t its first attempt to boost its brand credibility. In recent years, it struck a partnership with Forever 21, acquired the U.K. brand Missguided and launched a third-party marketplace. But it's still unclear how all of these efforts will live together.
As consumers’ shopping habits evolve, retail is shifting from traditional search-and-scroll e-commerce to a new model that revolves around discovery. Sitting at the center of that transformation is TikTok Shop, which represents a new retail model centered on community, trust and entertainment-driven discovery. Shopping happens natively and naturally, as TikTok Shop guides users from inspiration […]
While still in early stages, Target's efforts to revitalize the business appear to be paying off. The retailer reported its first quarter of net sales growth after at least six quarters of year-over-year declines.
In the last five years, dozens of apparel brands have set up online resale sites. Now, more players like Pacsun and Faherty are bringing secondhand into stores, too.
One of the first DTC darlings of the 2010s, Everlane has sold to Shein for a reported $100 million after years of struggling to grow. Combined with Allbirds' fire sale earlier this year, it's a nail in the coffin for early, venture-backed DTC darlings.
New data from Keychain shows about 1 in 10 CPG factories is running more than half empty, and about 1 in 3 has at least 31% or more unused production capacity.
Joy Mangano, inventor of the MiracleMop, is seeing sales spike for her new brand, CleanBoss, thanks to the nostalgic direct-response TV ads it runs across cable channels. "TV shopping is not just my history, it's my best-kept secret," Mangano told Modern Retail.
Eager NeeDoh collectors are flocking to resale sites as the toy goes viral. The stretchy toys, like Pop Mart's Labubus, are selling for a pretty penny on eBay and StockX, with some of them going for a premium of more than 400%.
Modern Retail’s survey — which has been conducted annually since 2022 — found that marketers’ adoption of AI technology has risen significantly. In 2022, 44% of brand and agency pros said their companies were investing in AI technology. That percentage rose to 57% in 2023 and 71% in 2024, before hitting 86% in 2025.
Maryland passed the first U.S. law banning data-driven price hikes on groceries, but it stops short of restricting electronic shelf labels or frequent price changes.
