Middle-Income U.S. Consumers Struggle to Keep Up
Nearly 70% of middle-income Americans are struggling with the rising cost of living, prompting increased reliance on savings and credit card debt, according to new data.
First Brands Founder Patrick James Indicted on Federal Fraud Charges
Federal prosecutors have indicted First Brands founder Patrick James and his brother on fraud charges tied to deceptive financing practices that contributed to the auto parts supplier’s bankruptcy.
Storm‑Driven Retail Rush: Foot Traffic Spike Ahead of Winter Storm Fern
Placer.ai’s data shows U.S. retail visits spiked two days before Winter Storm Fern hit, with Bentonville’s shoppers rushing to stock up on essentials ahead of heavy snow and ice.
UPS Retires MD-11 Fleet After Deadly Crash, Adds Boeing 767s
UPS has permanently retired its MD-11 aircraft fleet following a fatal crash in November, incurring a $137M charge while preparing to add 18 Boeing 767s over the next 15 months to maintain air capacity.
Tesla Ends Model S & Model X Production for Optimus Pivot
Tesla will end production of its long‑running Model S and Model X vehicles next quarter, reallocating factory capacity to focus on the Optimus humanoid robot program as part of CEO Elon Musk’s strategic shift toward robotics and autonomy.
Home Depot Cuts 800 Jobs, Pushes Back‑to‑Office Work for Corporate Employees
Home Depot has revealed plans to eliminate approximately 800 corporate jobs tied to its Atlanta area operations and will require remaining corporate staff to return to the office five days a week beginning April 6, as part of a broader effort to streamline operations and boost agility.
Amazon Follows Through With 16,000 Job Cuts
Amazon has confirmed plans to cut 16,000 corporate jobs, offering impacted employees transitional support, including internal job search opportunities, severance pay, health benefits, and outplacement assistance as part of broader restructuring efforts.
Tractor Supply’s Fourth‑Quarter Performance Falls Short of Expectations
Tractor Supply’s Q4 financial results showed declines in net income and EPS, with both metrics missing analyst expectations and prompting share volatility amid signs of softer consumer demand.
Trump Threatens 25% Tariff Hike on South Korean Imports Over Trade Pact Dispute
President Trump plans to raise tariffs on South Korean imports to 25%, citing delays in enacting a 2025 trade agreement, sparking new global trade concerns.
Scarcity Redefines the 2026 Supply Chain Playbook
Copper, critical minerals, and medical supplies lead the list of 2026 shortages, pushing firms to overhaul supply chains for resilience and risk readiness.
Costco Faces Class-Action Over Rotisserie Chicken Labeling
A class-action lawsuit challenges Costco’s rotisserie chicken label claims, alleging the presence of preservatives not disclosed to consumers.
Once Upon a Farm, Backed by Jennifer Garner, Eyes $764M IPO
Jennifer Garner-backed Once Upon a Farm is planning a $764 million IPO, signaling momentum in health-driven consumer brands and a recovering IPO market.
UPS to Cut 30,000 Jobs as Amazon Deal Ends
UPS will cut 30,000 jobs in 2026 as it ends its Amazon partnership and accelerates operational restructuring to boost efficiency and profitability.
Starbucks Delivers Mixed Quarterly Results Amid Turnaround Push
Starbucks reported better-than-expected revenue but missed on earnings, as rising customer traffic highlights the cost of its ongoing turnaround strategy.
Consumer Demand Driving Retail Crypto Payments Surge
Consumer-driven demand is propelling the rise of crypto payments in retail, with nearly 40% of merchants now accepting digital currencies and most expecting widespread adoption within five years.
U.S. Dollar Sinks to Four‑Year Low
The U.S. dollar has fallen to its weakest level in four years as measured by the Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index, pressured by a resurgent Japanese yen and bearish market sentiment.