Retail

Bloomberg Amazon.com Inc is testing a service that uses the company’s sprawling network of gig drivers to fetch packages from mall-based retailers and deliver them to customers. The program, should it become a permanent part of the e-commerce giant’s delivery options, could help Amazon expand the variety of goods it has available for fast shipment. Shoppers who want same-day or …

  Bloomberg President Joe Biden invoked emergency powers under the Defense Production Act to boost production of baby formula and ordered government agencies to use commercial flights for imports to alleviate shortages. The White House said in a statement that the move would allow domestic manufacturers to obtain needed ingredients and speed shipments of foreign supplies. “I know parents all …

  Bloomberg Foot Locker Inc shares climbed after its forecast showed the retailer is overcoming Nike Inc’s move to sell more shoes via its own channels. Foot Locker said that it now expects full-year sales and profit to be at the high end of its prior expectations. Chief Executive Officer Dick Johnson said the company is “off to a strong …

  Bloomberg Rapid delivery companies have curbed their ambitions in the Netherlands after disgruntled Dutch cities put a halt on the explosive growth of their distribution centers. After months of consultations, Flink SE, Getir and Gorillas signed a joint code of conduct that could crimp their ability to make super-fast deliveries in a concession to Dutch municipalities. The companies pledged …

  Bloomberg A retailer that has come to represent the resilience of New York City is making a comeback. Century 21 will be returning to its flagship location in downtown Manhattan in spring 2023 and is teaming up with retail operator Legends to again showcase a selection of off-price luxury goods. The store will occupy four floors of 22 Cortlandt …

  Bloomberg After almost four decades spent targeting London’s office workers with upscale fare like salmon and avocado protein pots, Pret A Manger Ltd is taking aim at a different clientele: suburban Brits facing the worst cost-of-living crisis since the Thatcher era. As the sandwich chain expands across the UK, where prices are climbing at the fastest pace since 1982, …

Bloomberg J M Smucker Co is recalling some Jif peanut butter products sold in the US and Canada because of potential Salmonella contamination. The Orrville, Ohio-based company expanded its recall of the popular brand of peanut butter products to Canada, a day after announcing a voluntary recall in the US. Consumers that have various crunchy, creamy and squeeze products should …

  Bloomberg Such is the state of the UK consumer that even seemingly positive data can reveal bad news about the economy. After a week of grim reports showing inflation at a four-decade high and consumer confidence at the lowest level since at least 1974, a release showing retail sales unexpectedly rose in April appeared to buck the trend. The …

  Bloomberg Losses for Walmart Inc and Target Corp are mounting as investors fled the stocks after the US retail giants cut their growth outlook for 2022 — an industry wide warning that inflation is denting consumer expenditures across the country. Walmart fell 6.6% after posting its biggest one-day decline since 1987 the prior day when it cut its full-year …

  Bloomberg The Walton family fortune tumbled almost $19 billion after Walmart Inc slashed its profit outlook. Walmart, controlled by the family, fell 11% in New York trading after the Bentonville, Arkansas-based company reported earnings that lagged analysts’ estimates. Soaring inflation heaped pressure on the retailing giant’s profit margins in the first quarter, testing the company’s appetite to raise prices. …