A major shift is happening in how people shop online. Consumers are increasingly turning to ChatGPT as a shopping assistant by asking for recommendations, comparing products, and even completing purchases

The Big Picture With the government shutdown finally behind us, economists are sorting through the fog of delayed data and the picture is mixed. Unemployment ticked up from 4.3% to

Independent retailers have always thrived on individuality, whether it is a finely tuned edit, personal service, and local connection that big chains can’t match. But as competition grows and margins

The Big Picture The market rallied last week on weaker-than-expected inflation figures and hopes that the Fed will cut interest rates even further. But, in the wider market consumers hit

Last month we talked about the challenge our retailers will face next spring when the price of many luxury goods will increase by 10% to 30%. Higher costs mean not

The Big Picture The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter point last week in an effort to inject energy into the housing market and the broader economy. The

For many apparel retailers, sales numbers are only half the story. The other half is the cost of returns. While returns are part of doing business in fashion, especially with

The Big Picture Shoppers kept the momentum going in July. Retail sales rose 0.5%, building on a strong June (revised upward to 0.8%). Travel, summer events, and early tariff-driven buying

The recent ups and downs of the trade and financial markets are enough to make any merchant’s head spin. But when we look closely, the real performance drivers we’re seeing

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a tool for tech giants or global brands. Today’s AI-powered platforms are increasingly accessible—and affordable—for small, independent retailers. AI can help improve the