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November consumer prices rose at a 2.7% annual rate vs. 3.1% expected at CNBC. “Core CPI, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, was also cooler than anticipated, increasing 2.6% over 12 months. It was expected to have increased by 3%.” Read more

 

Elliott Builds Over $1 Billion Stake in Lululemon at WSJ. “Elliott has been working closely with veteran retail executive Jane Nielsen, a former chief financial officer and chief operating officer at Ralph Lauren, who they see as a potential Lululemon CEO candidate, the people familiar with the matter said.” WSJ subs.

 

Walmart’s $115,000 Starting Pay and Better Rigs Draw Women to Trucking at Bloomberg. “While competitors worry about potential worker shortages, Walmart Inc. has grown its trucking workforce by 33% in the last three years by making the job more attractive to people who might otherwise eschew the field…About 18% of Walmart’s truckers are women, data firm Revelio Labs estimates, nearly double the rate of the female drivers at competitors.” WSJ subs.

 

The United States of Fraud at Business Insider. “…some people have turned to petty fraud, policy abuse, and small acts of sabotage as a means of getting back at their economic overlords. They’re engaging in spurts of shoplifting, taking part in return shenanigans, and using their credit cards for “friendly fraud” that’s anything but. They see — or at least excuse — these acts not as stealing but as small moments of deserved vengeance in a system that violates their sense of basic fairness at every turn.” Read more

 

All That Cheap Chinese Stuff Is Now Europe’s Problem at WSJ. “Upstart cargo airlines are forging what they call a modern silk road, connecting factory hubs in China to population centers across Europe, where Chinese immigrants get paid to store goods in spare rooms…China is outfoxing Trump’s efforts to isolate Beijing, with shipments to Europe and Southeast Asia more than offsetting the nearly 20% contraction to the U.S.” WSJ subs.

 

UPS company deploys AI to spot fakes amid surge in holiday returns at Reuters. “Nearly one in every 10 retail items that are returned for a refund in the U.S. is fraudulent…This holiday season, UPS-owned boxless returns processing company Happy Returns is testing its AI fraud detection tool with a handful of clients, including apparel sellers Everlane, Revolve, and Under Armour…” Reuters subs.

 

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DoorDash Launches Grocery Shopping App Within ChatGPT Press release

 

Private Equity Is Ruining a Beloved Fly-Fishing Brand, Retailers Say at Bloomberg. “Fly shops across the US are publicly dropping Simms…Observers say the boycott is a sign of the turbulent waters in which fly-fishing finds itself amid private equity roll-ups and broader changes in commerce also hitting cycling and skiing.” Bloomberg subs.

 

Medical center that employs woman who berated Target worker over Charlie Kirk shirt bombarded with over 6,000 ‘profanity-laced’ calls at NY Post

 

Despite tariffs, China consumer giants push into the US as domestic market stalls at AP. “Younger, cost-conscious Western consumers – already shopping on Chinese platforms like Shein and Temu offering better value with prices – would be the most likely target market, analysts said. “Chinese brands today are positioning themselves as more affordable alternatives while building reliability,” said Morningstar analyst Ivan Su. “Have you tried a pair of Chinese running shoes? They’re good.” Read more

 

NYC’s viral grocery store founder breaks silence: ‘I’m an active target’ — and it’s good for business at Fox Business. “Meadow Lane is a high-end prepared-food market in Tribeca, positioned as a gourmet grab-and-go concept rather than a traditional supermarket. Now in its fourth week of operations, the shop initially exploded onto social media with long lines and critics seizing on price tags, luxury branding and Nussdorf’s highly public startup journey.” Read more

 

Visa and Partners Complete Secure AI Transactions, Setting the Stage for Mainstream Adoption in 2026 Press release

 

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