Circana: Retailers and CPG companies face a more fragile consumer in 2026
“I haven't heard one retailer tell me that they had an incredible year." — Marshal Cohen, Circana
Scot Meyer
Target adds former Nike, HanesBrands executives to board as its leadership transition nears
John Hoke III and Steve Bratspies bring design, merchandising and operational expertise as retailer prepares for next phase under incoming CEO Michael Fiddelke
People Who Made a Difference: Ed Morgan, President, The Emerson Group
“My job is about supporting our leaders,” Morgan says. “Ensuring they have what they need to deliver the best possible outcomes for the brands we represent.”
Doug McMillon receives MMR Lifetime Achievement Award
From the moment he took the reins at Walmart in 2014, he made it clear that change would be urgent and relentless.
Dollar General is Mass Retailer of the Year
The foundation of the retailer’s resurgence lies in the unglamorous but essential work of fixing stores, cleaning aisles and ensuring shelves are stocked.
Walmart and Google announce an agentic AI e-commerce integration at NRF's "Big Show"
“For us, agentic AI is an exciting unlock," Walmart's Furner said. "This is really significant just as search was for e-commerce a few years ago.”
Retailers should matter to legislators
Two issues in particular — credit card “swipe fees” and organized retail crime (ORC) — illustrate how slow congressional action and regulatory inertia are costing businesses and consumers alike.
Walmart lifts outlook for year as value offerings and digital growth drive strong third quarter
“We’re gaining market share, improving delivery speed, and managing inventory well."
Consumers are resilient, and divided
Across income levels, shoppers are making deliberate trade-offs — trading restaurants for home cooking, premium brands for store brands, and full-price retailers for discount grocers.
People Who Made a Difference: Amanda Coussoule, Chief Customer Officer, Kenvue
‘Our job is to be clear in our goals but flexible in how we reach them.’
People Who Made a Difference: Tonya Douglas Senior VP, Omnichannel Merchandising, and Chief Merchant, Giant Food
‘The most successful partnerships are based on shared goals and customer centricity. ’
NRF: Consumers ‘sentimentally weak but fundamentally strong’ heading into holiday season
Forecast say shoppers’ resilience, steady wages and low unemployment will drive more than $1 trillion in sales despite tariffs, inflation and political uncertainty
Meijer drops prices on turkeys and more than 90 holiday grocery staples
"By providing reliable and affordable options, we hope to make holiday celebrations stress-free for our customers."
A New Top Item on Shopping Lists: Health
Wellness is also redefining product innovation. Functional foods and beverages are booming, from probiotic yogurts to protein-infused waters and “mental wellness” drinks designed to improve mood or focus.
Costco delivers strong fourth-quarter and full-year results
Profit tops $2.6 billion in Q4 as membership growth and international expansion fuel momentum
Sam’s Club puts AI tools in the hands of frontline leaders, CEO Chris Nicholas says
Enterprise-grade ChatGPT tools are helping managers flag sales trends, connect local vendors, and free up time for human creativity and empathy.