April: Consumer prices rose 0.2% last month, bringing the annual inflation rate to 2.3%, an unexpectedly cooler reading than the 2.4% increase seen in March at CNN

 

US slashes ‘de minimis’ tariff on small China parcels to 54% at Reuters/Yahoo. “…the levies will be reduced to 54% from 120% for items valued at up to $800 sent from China via postal services, with a flat fee of $100 to remain, starting from May 14. Carriers can pay either the 54% or the $100 fee per package, industry experts said.” Read more

 

Is Jeff Bezos Selling Out the Washington Post? at The New Yorker

 

On Q1 net sales +43% Press release

 

Crafters Mourn the Demise of Their ‘Little Happy Safe Place’ at WSJ. “Cernansky, 73, and legions of crafters are mourning the end of Joann, saying it will leave a quilt-sized hole when it goes dark this month…More than a quarter of Americans who worked on at least one craft project over roughly the past year bought supplies from Joann, according to research firm Mintel.” WSJ subs.

 

Under Armour Q4 revenue down 11% Press release

 

**A note from Sensi Smart Thermostats. People are talking — and the reviews have been exceptional: Esquire – Best Smart Thermostat 2024. MSN – Best Overall User Experience 2024. Energy Star Partner of the Year 2020-2024. Website | info@eyeonretail.net

 

JD.com Grows Fastest Since 2022 Amid Contest with Meituan at Bloomberg/Yahoo. “…reported a 16% rise in sales to 301.1 billion yuan ($42 billion) for the March quarter. JD is now handling close to 20 million food orders daily, executives said Tuesday, surging from just a month ago and already about a fifth of Meituan’s 2024 peak of about 98 million.” Read more

 

…Chinese ecommerce giants make expensive bets on fast deliveries at The Economic Times/MSN. “Chinese ecommerce giants Alibaba and JD.com have opened a new front in the ongoing battle for market share, with both expanding aggressively into so-called instant retail centred around delivery speeds of 30 to 60 minutes this year.” Read more

 

Apple to Support Brain-Implant Control of Its Devices at WSJ. “Synchron has implanted its Stentrode device in 10 people since 2019. Morgan Stanley has estimated that around 150,000 people in the U.S. who suffer from critical upper-limb impairments could be early candidates for brain computer-interface devices. It anticipates that the first commercial approval for such a device will come in 2030. Oxley said he believes Synchron will receive approval before then.” WSJ subs.

 

Sweets & Snacks Expo Announces 2025 Most Innovative New Product Awards Winners Press release

 

USDA and Federal Partners Target SNAP Fraud in Landmark Operation at MSN. “More than 100 locations across southern California, including numerous SNAP retailers, were placed under surveillance as part of the coordinated enforcement effort. The operation resulted in multiple arrests and the seizure of significant evidence related to SNAP retail fraud.” Read more

 

Half-Price Air Conditioners Are Sparking Frenzy for China Brands in Brazil at Bloomberg. “In the weeks after Donald Trump was elected president, Chinese companies flooded Brazilian stores with home appliances and electronics…Chinese brands now account for 20% of all electronics sold in Brazil, up from 16.5% in 2019, according to NIQ, a research firm.” Read more

 

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