Retail news that keeps industry pros in the know
Retail Brew delivers the latest retail industry news and insights surrounding marketing, DTC, and e-commerce to keep leaders and decision-makers up to date.
The 2024 Time 100 Next list is hitting shelves this week, and right in there with Sabrina Carpenter and Jaylen Brown is Hali Borenstein, CEO of Reformation. The fashion brand and retailer is focused on offering sustainable women’s clothing and accessories, and is currently on a mission to become climate positive by 2025.
Here is what else is going on in retail this week:
In promotions: The holiday shopping season is getting a running start this week with a series of promotional events from the biggest players in the industry. Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days is running October 8–9, with discounts of up to 40% on “winter fashion must-haves” and deals on Halloween costumes and accessories; Target’s Circle Week is running October 6–12, with discounts up to 50% on “fall favorites” and “gifting items”; and Walmart is kicking off a week of deals on October 8.
In conferences: Grocery retailers are gathering in Las Vegas this week for the annual Groceryshop conference. Founded in 2019, the three-day event is one of the biggest gatherings in the retail industry, and this year’s show at Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino will feature speakers from e-commerce giants such as Amazon and Instacart, membership clubs such as Sam’s Club, and BJ’s, QSR brands such as White Castle and 7-Eleven, and CPG brands such as Colgate, Mars Wrigley, and PepsiCo.
Meanwhile, in Chicago, the Retail Leaders Association is hosting its annual Retail Law Conference October 9–11. The industry group pitches the event as a way for retail professionals to learn more about the “changing legal and economic landscape,” from geopolitical tensions to shifting customer preferences.
In data: The consumer price index (CPI) for September is due out Thursday, and economists are expecting the inflation gauge to show continued moderation. The measure was slightly up month over month in August, but the year over year rate dropped to its lowest level since 2021. The September CPI reading will be the last before the Federal Reserve’s next committee meeting on November 6. For context, the central bank announced a half a percent rate cut at its last meeting and has signaled that more cuts could be coming if inflation remains on its current deflationary course.