American retailer; eighth-largest U.S. retailer; component of the S&P 500
Private credit funds have seen significant redemption requests in Q1 2026: Blackstone reported nearly 8% of investors asking for cash, while Apollo, Ares and Blue Owl have seen double-digit outflows. Managers are blaming news "noise," but withdrawals are resembling a slow-motion run that will increase liquidity stress on funds.
California has filed a lawsuit alleging Amazon has engaged in illegal price-fixing practices by pressuring vendors to raise prices and coordinate with competitors. The case, initiated in 2022, is scheduled for trial in January 2027. The allegations include Amazon's efforts to manipulate prices on various products and platforms.
Nike has reorganized its operations and tech teams as part of a broader turnaround, moving resources to Beaverton and Bengaluru and cutting about 1,400 roles. The company is focusing on core sports, faster product development, and a tighter supply chain, while facing ongoing pressure on sales, especially in Asia. The changes come after prior rounds of layoffs and a shift back toward performance-led footwear and apparel.
Retailers are increasing store investments to refresh layouts and services as online sales rise. Target is remodeling more stores; Walmart is upgrading aisles and driver efficiency; Burlington is opening 110 stores nationwide, including in California; IKEA opened a Culver City location with a city-focused layout; Walmart is adding beauty experts in hundreds of stores.
Doris Fisher, co-founder of Gap, has died at 94. The company has grown from a San Francisco jeans-and-record shop to a global retailer with brands including Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy, generating about $15 billion in annual sales. Fisher shaped Gap’s culture with simple design, fair pay and philanthropy.
The Melrose Triangle site in West Hollywood has a new development plan replacing hundreds of thousands of square feet of offices with 282 apartments, including 66 affordable units for seniors, plus nearly 100,000 square feet of retail and restaurants, three underground parking levels, and a central open-air courtyard. The plan envisions a pedestrian-friendly, multi-building campus with a mix of one- and two-bedroom units and a substantial open space program. The project previously emphasized office space but has stalled amid legal and market headwinds.
The FDA has recalled all Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula after three babies aged 2–5 months in California, Pennsylvania and Washington hospitalised with infant botulism. The formula, sold nationwide online and in Target stores, accounts for less than 1% of US infant formula; the FDA says there are no shortage concerns. Parents are urged to stop using the product and contact refunds. BabyBIG is the approved treatment.
Seattle has scheduled a World Cup match between Iran and Egypt to coincide with the city's Pride weekend and Juneteenth events. Both federations have objected and asked for Pride celebrations to be limited; FIFA has said rainbow flags are allowed inside stadiums and has stressed that Seattle’s Pride events are organised locally, not by FIFA.
Sony has announced it will stop producing physical PlayStation game discs from January 2028. New titles will be sold via the PlayStation Store or as retailer-issued download codes; games releasing before 2028 remain unaffected. The move follows years of rising digital sales and has provoked consumer backlash over ownership, preservation and the second‑hand market.
A spate of unrelated incidents have drawn attention this week: a Taco Bell confrontation in Maryland with a loaded handgun, a brutal attack on a Los Angeles street vendor, a Starbucks robbery aftermath in Detroit, a Simi Valley store disturbance, and a Target confrontation in Simi Valley. Police are investigating each case; victims report ongoing safety concerns.
Prime Day deals are reshaping the portable power market as retailers slash prices on power stations from Jackery, Anker and EcoFlow. Dealers highlight models with high capacity and solar compatibility, focusing on practical home backup and off-grid use.
The Guardian and CNBC analyze the rise of teen girl-centric romance on TV and streaming, from Legally Blonde prequel to modern YA romances. Viewers are responding with strong female-led narratives that blend nostalgia with contemporary consent and identity themes.
Retailers are expanding digital price tags across stores to speed up pricing and reduce labor. But lawmakers and unions warn about surge pricing, job losses, and price manipulation, prompting proposed bans in several states and at federal level. Initial pilots show mixed reactions from workers and shoppers.
A Long Island Expressway coach bus carrying Royal Jordanian Airlines crew has crashed near Exit 16 in Queens. One crew member has died; the driver and a passenger are dead at the scene. Several others are hospitalized with varying injuries as investigators probe the cause.
The FDA has classified Utz’s recall of Zapp’s and Dirty chips as Class 1, indicating a serious health risk. The recall covers several product lines with best-by dates July 27–August 31, 2026. Utz first issued the recall in April after a third-party dry milk powder seasoning ingredient was flagged as a possible Salmonella source; thus far, no illnesses have been reported. Consumers should discard affected chips or seek refunds.
The AI-driven shift is forcing brands to rethink online presence, with marketers stressing structured data and authentic content as AI search and recommendation engines gain influence. Firms are investing in content factories and cross-platform strategies as competition for visibility intensifies.
Primark is expanding in the United States, opening stores in Willowbrook Mall (Houston area) and Castleton Square Mall (Indianapolis). Both locations will be about 30,000 square feet in size, joining a growing U.S. footprint that now reaches 44 stores. The openings follow a New York City flagship and reflect Primark’s strategy to prioritize brick-and-mortar growth in established malls.
WeWard has introduced Walking Mode, a feature that locks certain apps until users complete a daily step goal, aiming to reduce screen time and encourage physical activity. The feature, supported by Venus Williams, builds on the company's rewards system and shows the firm exploring AI-assisted development.
Independent coverage shows Costco will close on July 4, with other retailers and services adapting hours. Walmart, Target and Kroger are expected to operate with regular or varied hours, while Trader Joe’s and Aldi implement shorter hours. Stock exchanges and postal services follow holiday schedules in early July 2026.
Several lawsuits allege that Driscoll’s strawberries and Orgain Organic Protein Powder contain toxic substances. Plaintiffs claim brands failed to disclose pesticide residues and heavy metals, risking consumer health; companies deny misconduct as investigations unfold.
A three-judge panel in New York has ruled that lower courts improperly excluded expert testimony linking acetaminophen use during pregnancy to autism and ADHD. The decision remands the case for further proceedings, with the panel noting ongoing scientific debate and cautioning that the issue is not political.