Hey Friends,
Happy Wednesday…. This week is packed with stories that highlight both tradition and transformation. Holiday spending is already heating up, with Halloween projected to reach record-breaking levels, while beauty giant Sephora doubles down on influencer-driven commerce. On the tech front, Albertsons is weaving AI deeper into its retail media play, and Amazon is expanding agentic AI tools to support its sellers. We’re also tracking store portfolio moves at Saks Global, new payment flexibility through Gap and Klarna, and the return of purpose-driven brand Love Your Melon. In luxury, Hermès scored a decisive legal win over its exclusive Birkin strategy, while Adidas is making its mark in Formula 1 with a new Audi partnership. Rounding things out, Carter’s is taking defensive measures against activist investors, and Mattel is reviving American Girl nostalgia with a modern generational twist.
In short, today’s edition is about how retailers are protecting their futures, experimenting with new tools, and tapping into both heritage and innovation to connect with today’s consumers.
Let’s get into it…….
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