Discounters often prosper in downturns, but recently they have been hurt by rising costs and their customers’ precarious finances
The Chinese online retailer has made inroads among low-income shoppers
Plus the real estate rally
As head of America’s Barnes & Noble chain he reinvented the business, but could not compete with Amazon’s disruption
Discount retailer says low-income households feel more ‘financially constrained’ than six months ago
Consumer and worker benefits under scrutiny as part of efforts to block blockbuster supermarket tie-up
Earnings from big US retailers paint more nuanced picture of inflation-driven belt-tightening
What is good for Walmart is often bad for rivals
A high-margin and fast-growing ad business is changing the chain’s relationship with brands
Investors have worried that lacklustre consumer results and a weakening labour market signalled a slowdown
US hardware retailer says customers are becoming more uneasy about the economy
Cloud computing business AWS is the company’s real cash cow
Since the pandemic, consumer spending has remained strong. But three months before the election, there are signs that demand is weakening
In spite of a glut, potato demand should make a comeback
With high-end goods makers keen to sell more directly to consumers, the business model desperately needs a makeover
Market Questions is the FT’s guide to the week ahead
Shift in logistics forces importers to move shipments earlier in the year and drives up freight rates in the process
Businesses that imposed relentless post-pandemic price rises are reaching outer limits of the strategy
A brand that fell out of fashion in the 2000s has become one of the US market’s strongest performers
Amazon and Salesforce also expected to take stakes in newly formed company
Backlash to Pride wares was only the start of recent woes as reliance on discretionary goods took a price-conscious hit
Sportswear maker says it is taking aggressive action to reorganise inventory after weaker than expected quarter
Owner of Boots and Duane Reade sees stretched customers and lower prescription reimbursements hitting margins
Food sales contract as inflation takes a bite out of consumers’ wallets
‘Long-expected deceleration’ in consumer spending may now be under way, says Adriana Kugler
