Fifth Avenue is a retail powerhouse, known for glitzy flagships like Tiffany and Armani. But it's also a time of change for the more than 200-year-old avenue and the nonprofit that keeps it moving.

Tariffs

Why Dame is refunding $10,000 in tariff surcharges to customers

March 03, 2026

Dame is refunding customers who paid its “Trump Tariff Surcharge” last year, becoming one of the first brands to proactively return money tied to President Donald Trump’s now-invalidated tariffs.

Marketplace Briefing: Online merchants aren’t lowering prices despite Supreme Court ruling

February 26, 2026

Many Amazon sellers and online brands say they won’t cut prices despite the Supreme Court ruling that struck down Trump’s tariffs.

Other news to know

Top Stories Mar 16

Retailers turn to digital rebates as alcohol sales slump

March 16, 2026

Grocers and C-stores are turning to digital alcohol rebates to try to boost alcohol sales and digital engagement.

Modern Retail Podcast: What’s in and out in food and beverage for 2026

March 14, 2026

This week's Modern Retail Podcast dives into what food and beverage trends are expected to dominate in 2026, fresh off of Expo West.

Shopify says purchases are coming ‘inside ChatGPT’ through agentic storefronts as OpenAI retreats on Instant Checkout 

March 12, 2026

Shopify told merchants their products will soon be discoverable and purchasable inside ChatGPT through its new “agentic storefronts” feature as OpenAI shifts how checkout works inside the chatbot.

Cymbiotika lands in Ulta just months after launching in Target

March 13, 2026

Supplement startup Cymbiotika has landed in Ulta as its year of retail expansion continues, fueled by a sizable seed round and increased consumer interest in wellness.

Tariffs

Why Dame is refunding $10,000 in tariff surcharges to customers

March 03, 2026

Dame is refunding customers who paid its “Trump Tariff Surcharge” last year, becoming one of the first brands to proactively return money tied to President Donald Trump’s now-invalidated tariffs.

Marketplace Briefing: Online merchants aren’t lowering prices despite Supreme Court ruling

February 26, 2026

Many Amazon sellers and online brands say they won’t cut prices despite the Supreme Court ruling that struck down Trump’s tariffs.

Red and black sneaker on a black hightop on an orange background

Footwear brands navigate uncertainty after latest tariffs flip-flop

February 25, 2026

Shoe brands, which are out billions of dollars from U.S.-imposed duties, are trying to find their footing after recent tariffs whiplash.

Podcasts

Technology

Marketplace Briefing: Amazon expands AI-powered Shop Direct program that lets customers buy from other retailers’ sites

March 12, 2026

Amazon is expanding Shop Direct, a program that lets shoppers find and buy products from other retailers even when those items aren’t sold on Amazon.com.

Customer reviews become a key battleground as AI revolutionizes product discovery

March 12, 2026

Brands are chasing after an old, but powerful tool in the age of AI-powered search engines: customer reviews.

From Prime Day and Black Friday to surprise spikes: Why retailers are rethinking peak sales readiness

February 19, 2026

“Peak sales event” is still a common phrase in retail, and the big calendar moments like holidays and Amazon’s Prime Day absolutely matter. But treating peaks as isolated, predictable windows is outdated. Today, demand can surge at any time. A viral TikTok, a surprise influencer drop or a flash sale on a random Tuesday in […]

Marketing

Brands Briefing: Wellness brands take over Expo West to woo retail buyers

March 10, 2026

Historically focused on natural food and beverage, Expo West is quickly becoming a go-to show for supplement startups and other wellness brands vying for retailers’ attention.

Best Buy wants to be the hub for AI-powered hardware like glasses, laptops

March 10, 2026

Best Buy is positioning itself as the place where people go to shop for AI-powered everything.

Every Man Jack plots a 2026 refresh as men’s personal care category becomes more saturated

March 10, 2026

Men’s grooming brand Every Man Jack is aiming to make 2026 a breakout year, thanks to new products, new packaging and new marketing campaigns.

Operations

Higher tax refunds could boost consumer spending

March 12, 2026

Americans are seeing higher tax refunds this year, which has the potential to drive some consumer spending. But the boon for retailers may be short-lived.

Chicken is having a moment as the high-protein craze continues

March 12, 2026

High-protein chicken snacks are taking center stage, as seen by product launches like Chomps’ new chicken sticks at Expo West 2026.

The next retail advantage is hiding in merchants’ payments systems

January 16, 2026

Cori Voorhees, partner marketing manager, Adobe The start of a new year often brings a shift in focus for merchants. As the urgency of peak shopping season fades, teams turn their attention to how their systems and technology performed. It’s a moment to look beyond seasonal results and examine the infrastructure that supported them. Payments […]