Shopify Posts Strong Q2 Results

After fending off a $47.2B takeover bid from rival Alimentation Couche-Tard, Seven & i Holdings has unveiled its “transformation of 7-Eleven” plan—aiming to open 1,300 new U.S. large-format, food-focused c-stores by 2030. The strategy targets stronger foodservice, digital reach, and fuel supply integration to counter slowing fuel demand and shifting consumer habits.

🏪 Store Network Expansion: Adding ~185 new U.S. stores annually through 2030, with formats tailored to fresh food and differentiated experiences

🍔 Foodservice Push: Plan to open 1,100 proprietary restaurants, improve fresh food perception, and expand private-label offerings to boost value and quality image

📲 Digital & Delivery Growth: Scaling 7NOW delivery platform to 200 more stores per year, aiming for 50% U.S. population coverage

⛽ Fuel Strategy: Leveraging vertical integration to capture untapped profits within 7-Eleven’s fuel supply chain amid declining gasoline demand

A coalition of 57 alcohol trade groups says the U.S.’s new 15% tariff on EU goods could wipe out nearly $2 billion in sales and put 25,000 American jobs at risk. The Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition — representing European producers, U.S. distillers, glassmakers, retailers, and restaurants — warns the move hits right before the holiday season, pushing up prices for consumers and squeezing an already pressured industry.

⚠️ Sales Threat: Tariff lands just before the October–December peak, the sector’s busiest quarter, risking $2 billion in lost alcohol sales.

💸 Past records: According to data from the US Distilled Spirits Council, the US exported $2.4 billion worth of spirits in 2024.

⏸️ No retaliation: The EU has suspended counter-tariffs until early 2026, temporarily sparing U.S. bourbon and other exports from fresh duties.

Shopify’s shares surged 21% after the e-commerce platform delivered a strong Q2, beating estimates and signaling minimal impact from President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Revenue climbed 31% year-over-year to $2.68 billion, surpassing expectations of $2.55 billion, while adjusted EPS hit $0.35 versus $0.29 forecast. Gross merchandise sales rose 29% to $87.8 billion, well above projections.

CFO Jeff Hoffmeister said tariff-related headwinds “did not materialize,” and the company has seen “no slowdown” in U.S. demand through early August. Shopify expects Q3 revenue growth in the mid-to-high 20% range, above analyst forecasts.

Net income jumped to $906 million from $171 million a year earlier, with operating expenses projected to ease slightly as a share of revenue. The company continues to invest heavily in AI tools, including its “AI store builder” and new AI shopping agent integrations, which executives say are helping attract and retain merchants.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren has called on the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice to consider blocking Dick’s Sporting Goods’ proposed $2.4 billion acquisition of Foot Locker, citing antitrust concerns. In a letter to the agencies, Warren argued the merger could create a sneaker retail duopoly with JD Sports, potentially raising prices, reducing competition, and putting smaller retailers at a disadvantage in supplier negotiations.

If approved, the combined company and JD Sports would control roughly 5,000 US athletic shoe stores. Warren warned the deal could lead to higher costs for families already facing back-to-school price pressures.

Antitrust experts note the combined company’s market share would be around 15% of the sporting goods sector, likely below the typical threshold for major regulatory pushback.

Crocs Inc. expects third-quarter revenue to fall 9–11%, far below analyst forecasts for growth, as U.S. shoppers cut back on discretionary purchases and new tariffs drive up costs. CEO Andrew Rees said consumer traffic is down and pricing power is limited, with higher duties hitting production hubs like China, which supplied 22% of U.S.-bound Crocs in Q1. The company also sources heavily from Vietnam, Indonesia, India, and Cambodia, where tariffs are adding to pressures.

Crocs has withdrawn full-year guidance, citing global trade policy uncertainty, and will focus on cost cuts, inventory reductions, and fewer promotions to protect its brand image. The slowdown mirrors headwinds facing other apparel and footwear brands such as Steve Madden and Lululemon.

Dollar General and Uber Eats have teamed up to bring more than 14,000 Dollar General and pppshelf locations onto the Uber Eats platform, enabling customers to order affordable essentials, groceries, and on-trend items for same-day delivery. The rollout began last week and will expand through August, with both on-demand and scheduled delivery options.

Dollar General CMO Tony Rogers said the move aligns with the retailer’s mission to provide accessible and affordable products, while Uber’s Head of Grocery & Retail, Hashim Amin, noted it meets growing consumer expectations for speed and convenience. The partnership marks another step in Dollar General’s push into last-mile fulfillment and expands Uber Eats’ footprint in value retail.

Amazon is broadening its Amazon Autos service to include used and certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles, starting in Los Angeles and rolling out to more cities in the coming months. Participating dealers can now list their used inventory on Amazon, giving customers access to a wider range of cars and trucks alongside new vehicles.

The program, which builds on Amazon Autos’ December 2024 launch, already has dealer participation in over 130 U.S. cities. Key features include transparent pricing, vehicle history reports, a 3-day/300-mile return policy, and a minimum 30-day/1,000-mile warranty. The expansion aims to connect local dealerships with millions of Amazon shoppers while streamlining online browsing and purchase steps before in-person pickup.

Warby Parker will phase out its long-running home try-on program by year-end as it shifts focus to in-store and digital experiences. The decision comes after the company found most users live within 30 minutes of one of its 300 stores. The eyewear retailer will continue engaging customers through physical locations and online tools like virtual try-on.

The move was announced alongside Q2 results showing 14% year-over-year revenue growth to $214.5 million and a narrowed net loss of $1.8 million. The company is expanding aggressively, opening 11 net new stores in the quarter and targeting 45 openings in 2025, including five Target shop-in-shops. Eye exams, now available at many locations, grew 44% and represent 6% of total revenue.

IKEA has opened a digital store on Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com, marking its second major third-party platform in the country after Tmall. The Swedish retailer aims to attract new customers with a mix of premium and budget offerings, including a 2,999 yuan ($417) gaming chair and its popular 249 yuan BILLY bookcase.

The store will feature 6,500 products and leverage JD.com’s logistics network for home delivery. Special discounts will accompany the launch. IKEA says one in five new customers in China now comes from Tmall, and it expects JD.com to further boost reach.

The move is part of Ingka Group’s 6.3 billion yuan ($877 million) investment plan in China through 2027. Despite three new store openings in the past year, China’s share of Ingka’s global sales has remained flat at around 3.5%. IKEA entered China in 1998 and currently operates 40 stores nationwide.

Claire’s has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware, its second in less than a decade, as it grapples with online competition, debt, and tariff-driven cost pressures.

The 64-year-old accessories chain will keep North American stores open while exploring restructuring and potential sale options. Once a mall-era staple for tweens, Claire’s is weighed down by a $496 million loan due in Dec 2026, unpaid rent on unprofitable stores, and falling relevance among younger consumers. The brand now operates about 2,750 stores in 17 countries, down from 4,500 in 2018,

Despite President Trump’s campaign pledge to lower grocery prices, Americans say food costs remain a major source of stress—and they’re changing shopping habits to cope. An AP–NORC poll found 53% of respondents view grocery costs as a “major” stress and 33% as a “minor” one.

While grocery inflation has slowed to 2.4% over the past year from a 9.4% peak in 2022, prices for staples like eggs, beef, and orange juice remain high due to supply shifts and extreme weather. Tariffs on imported fruits, canned goods, coffee, and other items are adding to the strain. Shoppers are buying smaller sizes, using coupons, skipping discretionary items, and eating more meals at home

Once-bankrupt Bed Bath & Beyond has reemerged under new ownership, opening its first physical store since liquidation in Nashville, Tennessee. Now called Bed Bath & Beyond Home, the brand is operated by The Brand House Collective, which plans up to 75 store conversions through 2026. The reboot comes with legacy perks — the chain will honor its iconic 20% coupon, no matter the expiration date.

The revival follows a winding corporate journey: Overstock bought the IP in 2023, rebranded as Beyond Inc., then partnered with Kirkland’s (now The Brand House Collective) for store rollouts. Nashville was chosen for its proximity to HQ to fine-tune the model before broader expansion.