Costco June comp sales (ex-fuel & f/x) +7.0% (US +7.6% / Canada +4.9% / Other Int’l +5.6% / Digital +21.5%) “…net sales of $29.24 billion for the retail month of June, the five weeks ended July 5, 2026, an increase of 10.6 percent from $26.44 billion last year.” Press release

 

He Earns $33 an Hour as a Costco Cashier. Now He’s a Millionaire. at WSJ. “Barzar has been asked to become a supervisor but has declined. He likes the direct contact he has with shoppers as a cashier and feels he can act as an effective mentor to other employees, in part because he isn’t their boss. “I would say this is my calling, right where I’m at,” he said.” WSJ subs.

 

PepsiCo earnings miss estimates as North American consumers tighten their budgets at CNBC. “Its North American food business reported flat volume for the quarter, and its North American beverage division saw volume drop 4%.” Read more

 

Why Everything Is Tiny: Maxed-Out US Shoppers Embrace ‘Mini Effect’ at Bloomberg. “Lowe’s Chief Marketing Officer Jen Wilson says her staff coined the “mini effect” phrase last year. A product example: the retailer’s pint-sized version of its standard blue plastic bucket. It recently came out in limited-edition pink and teal, for under $2 per bucket, to great acclaim. “This idea of small indulgences is really meaningful at a time when consumers want something that makes them feel good,” Wilson says. She adds that they sell out fast in part because they aren’t swiftly restocked and “scarcity” fuels demand.” Bloomberg subs.

 

Deloitte: Back-to-School Spending Holds Steady During Economic Uncertainty “Back-to-school spending for K-12 students will likely remain steady, estimated to reach a collective $30.4 billion, or approximately $557 per student…” Press release

 

Grocery prices top financial stress for Americans, survey says at USA Today. “Majorities of Democrats (84%), independents (67%), and Republicans (78%) say they are comfortable with government ‘cracking down on price gouging and corporate practices that eliminate competition, even if it means more regulation,’” the report says.” Read more

 

How the Gap’s CEO uses ‘brand love’ to track the company’s comeback at Fast Company. “He breaks down why he tracks “brand love” metrics on a dashboard hourly, why Sydney Sweeney’s viral jeans ad was actually good news for the whole industry, and why the biggest risk a brand can take is playing it safe.” Fast Company subs.

 

Family that founded egg empire pocketed $320M during alleged price-fixing scheme: report NY Post

 

White House touts launch of 25 Freedom Fuel gas stations at The Hill. “Twenty of the stations are located in Pennsylvania, while five are in New Jersey, according to the Freedom Fuel network’s website. A White House official told The Hill the Freedom Fuel Network is a private company and did not receive subsidies from the administration.” Read more

 

Buc-ee’s Is on a Rampage and No Mascot Is Safe at WSJ. “Buc-ee’s is expanding at a steady clip around the U.S. That pace is matched only by its race to knock out rival mascots—including an alligator, a duck and chickens…“Behind the friendly, cap-wearing Beaver with the goofy smile is a hit-style trademark enforcement legal team that is slowly taking-out cartoon animals one by one,” trademark attorney Alice Denenberg wrote…” WSJ subs.

 

Cramer on Wed: Startling call: Goldman Sachs upgraded RH to hold from sell and raised its price target to $155 from $86. That’s still below yesterday’s close of $163.70. Analysts said the luxury home furnishings company could see stronger sales and margin improvement in 2027 following several earnings misses. 

 

Sam’s Club and Weight Watchers Collaborate “Sam’s Club Plus members may receive a complimentary three-month Weight Watchers Core membership, while all Sam’s Club members can save up to 50% on select Weight Watchers programs.” Press release