Modern Retail Leadership That Actually Works
As AI accelerates and omnichannel complexity grows, effective retail leadership depends on clarity, decentralized decision-making, and values-driven execution that scales across teams.
Retail Leadership in a Modern Age
Retail leadership that wins in the age of AI demands clarity, leverage, and trust. Drawing on 18 years at Walmart, we share strategies for omnichannel success, empowered teams, clear metrics, and values driven decision making that fuels growth without burnout.
Washington High Court Lets Amazon Suicide Suits Proceed
Washington’s Supreme Court ruled that families can sue Amazon over deaths linked to sodium nitrite bought on its platform, a decision that could reshape online marketplace liability.
Retail’s Unexpected Comebacks in the Omnichannel Era
Legacy retail brands are finding renewed growth through direct-to-consumer strategies, social commerce and AI-driven merchandising in today’s omnichannel marketplace.
Walgreens Lays Off Hundreds After Sycamore Acquisition
Walgreens cuts at least 628 positions following its private equity buyout by Sycamore Partners as the company reorganizes operations under new ownership.
Walmart’s New CEO Takes Helm With Conservative Outlook
Incoming CEO John Furner begins leadership at Walmart with strong recent results but a cautious forecast for 2026 amid economic headwinds and strategic transition.
New Balance Tops $9B; Chinese Laundry Joins Gordon Brothers
New Balance reported a record-setting $9.2 billion in 2025 sales, while Gordon Brothers expanded its footwear portfolio with Chinese Laundry and sibling brands.
Amazon Overtakes Walmart as World’s Largest Company by Revenue
Amazon becomes the world’s largest company by sales, overtaking Walmart as shifting retail, cloud computing, and digital advertising revenues reshape global corporate rankings.
Retailers Lost $796 Billion to Shrink, Fraud in 2025
Retailers faced $796 billion in losses from shrink, return abuse, and fraud in 2025, with returns driving the majority of financial impact, according to Appriss Retail.
Hapag-Lloyd Acquires ZIM in $4B Deal
Hapag-Lloyd will acquire ZIM for $4 billion, expanding global container capacity and reshaping competitive dynamics in ocean freight and international supply chains.
Wayfair Posts First Annual Growth Since 2020
Wayfair achieved its first annual revenue increase since 2020, outpacing the broader home sector in 2025 amid a challenging housing and import environment.
Target Doubles Down on Store Experience
Target is boosting store labor investment and training to improve in-store experience amid operational challenges and strategic shifts under its new CEO.
Etsy Sells Depop to eBay for $1.2 Billion, Shares Rise
Etsy’s planned sale of trendy resale marketplace Depop to eBay for $1.2 billion underscores a strategic shift back to its core business, prompting significant stock gains and signaling renewed focus on its flagship handmade marketplace.
Ace Hardware Notches Record Q4, Full-Year Revenue Amid Profit Pressures
Ace Hardware closed its fiscal 2025 year with record fourth-quarter and full-year revenues — driven by strong retail and digital growth — even as net income declined, highlighting strategic tradeoffs between growth investment and profitability.
Nestlé’s Strategic Retreat From Ice Cream Signals Bold Marketing & Portfolio Shift
Nestlé’s announced exit from the ice cream business — with plans to sell its remaining operations to joint-venture partner Froneri — underscores a strategic marketing and brand focus on growth categories like coffee, nutrition, pet care, and snacks and beverages.
Starbucks Investors Push to Replace Directors Over Labor Dispute
A group of Starbucks shareholders is urging investors to vote against two board members ahead of the 2026 annual meeting, citing oversight failures in the company’s handling of prolonged labor tensions.