U.S. economy grew 2% from January-March at AP. “Growth in consumer spending, which accounts for 70% of U.S. economic activity, slowed to 1.6% in the first quarter from 1.9% at the end of 2025. But business investment, likely driven by investments in artificial intelligence, rose at an 8.7% pace.” Read more

 

eBay Inc. Q1 revenue +19% Press release

 

Amazon earnings beat expectations at CNBC. “Revenue in its online stores segment…grew 12% in the first quarter to $64.3 billion, higher than analysts’ estimated $62.7 billion…announced this year’s Prime Day discount bonanza will be held in June, a month earlier than its typical time frame…Advertising revenue jumped 24% year over year to $17.24 billion, above Wall Street’s expectations for growth of 21.2%.” Read more

 

Wayfair Q1 total net revenue +7.4% / Active customers +1.4% Press release

 

Two NJ Malls Separated by Just Four Miles — and Very Different Fates at Bloomberg. “The Livingston Mall is all but dead. The Mall at Short Hills is thriving. It’s a lesson in the cruel economics of consumerism.” Bloomberg subs. 

 

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. Q1 comp sales -1.7% Press release

 

Amazon Discusses ‘Apprentice’ Reboot—With Don Jr. as a Potential Host at WSJ. “Discussions are still in the early stages and Amazon hasn’t approached the Trump family, but if the show gets made, it would appear on Amazon’s Prime Video service.” WSJ subs.

 

Walmart Opens Third Owned and Operated Milk Processing Facility in Robinson, Texas Press release

 

Target opens its first-ever ‘receive center’ at Chain Store Age. “…located in Houston. The $265 million facility intakes products directly from its global vendors and holds the product until it’s needed elsewhere, replenishing inventory in response to store and customer demand.” Read more

 

Amazon and Meta are among the big companies set to lobby India’s payments body over the dominance of Walmart-owned PhonePe and Google Pay at TechCrunch

 

Maryland Bans Surveillance-Based Grocery Pricing at The Shelby Report. “HB 895 targets a specific practice – using personal data and surveillance to set individualized prices.” Read more

 

Amazon launches an AI-powered audio Q&A experience on product pages at TechCrunch. “For example, shoppers can ask questions like whether a coffee maker is suited for beginners or whether a sweater feels itchy based on customer reviews. Rather than giving generic answers, Amazon says the AI builds on previous responses to provide more relevant and helpful information…” Read more