#retailnews

[adafruit]

The de minimis exemption, update – USPS halts packages from China and Hong Kong? Yes, No… 🇨🇳📦✈️🇺🇸💰 … will talk about on tonight's show 8pm ET! https://blog.adafruit.com/2025/02/05/the-de-minimis-exemption-update-usps-halts-packages-from-china-and-hong-kong-yes-no/

[newstodays1]

Lowe's to Close All 1,700+ Stores Nationwide for 24 Hours on Easter Sunday

Mooresville, NC – April 8, 2025 – Lowe’s Companies, Inc. announced today that all of its 1,700+ U.S. stores and contact centers will close for 24 hours on Easter Sunday, April 20, to allow employees time to celebrate the holiday with their families. This marks the fifth consecutive year the home improvement giant has observed the closure, aligning with retailers like Target, Costco, and Sam’s…

[enterprisewired]

Walmart Predicts Slower Growth in 2025, Signaling Economic Concerns

Source: edition.cnn.com

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Retail Giant Warns of Weaker Sales and Profit Growth 

Walmart, the largest retailer in the United States, has issued a warning that its sales and profit growth will slow in 2025. The announcement, made on Thursday, triggered a sharp decline in Walmart’s stock price, which fell by approximately 6% during early trading. The news also impacted the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which dropped more than 1% following the forecast.

Despite these concerns, Walmart Slower Growth projects sales growth of up to 4% and profit growth of up to 5.5% this year, maintaining that its business remains stable and consumer spending is still resilient. The company projects sales growth of up to 4% and profit growth of up to 5.5% this year. However, these figures fell short of investor expectations, raising concerns about broader economic trends. Walmart’s outlook is often regarded as a key indicator of consumer sentiment and spending habits, making this forecast particularly significant for the retail industry.

Economic Uncertainty and Consumer Sentiment 

Retail analysts suggest that Walmart’s slowing growth may reflect broader economic uncertainties. According to David Silverman, senior director at Fitch Ratings, consumer sentiment has dipped, particularly among lower-income shoppers, signaling potential turbulence for the retail sector in 2025. Higher-income consumers, those earning over $100,000 annually, have increasingly turned to Walmart for savings on groceries, contributing to the company’s recent growth. Additionally, Walmart has expanded its e-commerce capabilities, integrating online shopping with in-store pickup and its subscription-based Walmart+ service to compete with Amazon.

However, Walmart Slower Growth could face potential challenges ahead, including economic volatility and shifting consumer behavior, as acknowledged by the finance chief, John David Rainey. The retailer expects inflation to remain moderate at 1% to 2%, though rising food prices, particularly for eggs due to avian flu, continue to pressure household budgets. Moreover, new trade policies and tariffs could introduce additional hurdles for Walmart and the broader retail industry.

Impact of Tariffs and Policy Changes 

One of the key challenges Walmart faces in 2025 is navigating the impact of trade tariffs. President Donald Trump recently enacted a 10% tariff on Chinese imports and a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports. While tariffs on Mexico and Canada have been paused until March, Trump has also signaled the potential for additional “reciprocal tariffs.” These trade policies could affect product costs and supply chain efficiency for major retailers like Walmart.

Although Walmart, due to its scale and bargaining power, may be better positioned to manage tariff-related price increases, smaller retailers could struggle to absorb costs and may be forced to pass them on to consumers. In a CNBC interview, Rainey admitted that while Walmart has strategies in place to mitigate the impact, the company will not be entirely shielded from tariff-related pressures.

Meanwhile, consumer confidence remains shaky. A CNN poll revealed that 62% of American adults believe President Trump has not done enough to reduce everyday costs. With inflation persisting and economic uncertainty looming, Walmart Slower Growth underscores the challenges retailers and consumers alike may face in the coming year.

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Is RadioShack back? Brand attempts return to relevance with consumer products, read more

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[secretstalks]

Lord Rose’s Perspective on Mohsin Issa’s Leadership at Asda: Should He Step Down?

Lord Stuart Rose, chair of Asda, has expressed his embarrassment over the supermarket chain's recent decline in market share, calling for co-owner Mohsin Issa to step back from the daily operations of the retailer. In an interview with The Telegraph, Rose candidly admitted his dissatisfaction with Asda’s performance, saying, "I’m going to be completely honest with you. Having been in this industry for a long time, I feel somewhat embarrassed. I won’t deny it."

Rose’s comments come on the back of a report showing a 2.2% decline in Asda’s quarterly sales and a 5.3% drop in like-for-like sales. The retailer’s market share has slipped from 13.6% to 12.7%, losing ground to rivals such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, and discount chains, according to Kantar data.

Rose suggested that Mohsin Issa, who co-owns Asda alongside TDR Capital, should distance himself from day-to-day operations to help turn around the company’s fortunes. “I would not advise him to get involved in operations, and I am the chairman,” Rose remarked. He emphasized that while Issa has been a disruptive and entrepreneurial force, the current phase of the business requires a different approach.

TDR Capital holds a 67.5% stake in Asda, with Mohsin Issa owning the remaining 22.5%. His brother Zuber Issa, who previously held a 22.5% share, exited earlier this year to focus on other ventures. Walmart retains a 10% stake in Asda, having sold the majority of its holding in 2021 when the Issa brothers acquired the chain for £6.8 billion.

In response to the challenging performance, Asda’s Chief Financial Officer, Michael Gleeson, outlined the company’s plans to revamp its store estate, increase staff hours for better shelf replenishment, and strengthen consumer loyalty.

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[diginyze]

Next-Level Shopping: Unlocking the Potential of AR in Retail

Swipe, select, see - Augmented Reality is changing the game for online shopping!

Ever imagined trying on clothes or visualizing furniture in your home with just a click?

AR adds a whole new dimension to buying online.

Our latest blog post takes you on a fascinating journey of AR in retail.

[micheelm]

H&M Sues Fast Fashion Rival Shein for Copyright Infringement

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Bed Bath & Beyond's Bankruptcy: The Changing Landscape of Retail in the Digital Age | RetailNews | BankruptcyAlert | BedBathandBeyond | ChangingRetailLandscape | OnlineShoppingChallenges | JobLossesInRetail | AdaptingtoDigitalAge | BrickAndMortarStruggles | RetailRestructuring | ConsumerBehaviorShifts|

Bed Bath & Beyond, a popular home goods retailer, has announced its plans to file for bankruptcy. The company, which has been struggling financially for some time, will close hundreds of stores as part of its restructuring efforts. The bankruptcy comes as no surprise to industry experts, who have been watching the retailer struggle to compete with online retailers such as Amazon. Bed Bath &…

[rodspurethoughts]

Kohl’s Announces Closure of 27 Underperforming Stores by April 2025: What This Means for the Retail Giant

📉 Kohl's announces store closures, 🏬 shifting focus to e-commerce, 💡 led by CEO Tom Kingsbury, 🔍 adapting retail strategy, 🤝 prioritizing customer experience! #Kohls #RetailNews #Ecommerce

Image Credit: Kingofthedead  In a significant move to bolster its long-term viability, Kohl’s has announced the closure of 27 underperforming stores across the United States by April 2025. This decision comes at a time when the retail landscape is continuously evolving, and industry giants like Sears and JCPenney are stark reminders of what can happen when businesses fail to adapt. Why the…