Wholesale news and trends

Nike Reports Continued Channel Shift From D2C to Wholesale
Retail // June 27, 2024

Nike continued its shift from direct-to-consumer (D2C) to wholesale channels over the past three months. During the quarter ended May 31, the footwear, apparel and equipment company’s Nike Direct revenues were down 8% on a reported basis, to $5.1 billion, while its wholesale revenues were...

Sam’s Club Says AI Exit Scans Are in 120 Stores
Retail // April 30, 2024

Sam’s Club said its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered exit scanners are now in 120 stores. The technology, first announced in January, eliminates the practice of having customers wait in line as they exit the bulk retailer to have their receipts checked by employees. “Sam’s Club’s rapid deployment of its exit...

Bank of England Seeks Input on Retail, Wholesale Payments Technology
Payment Methods // April 15, 2024

The Bank of England is studying the use of new technologies to enhance both retail and wholesale payments functionality. While the central bank has been focused on establishing regulatory regimes for the use of stablecoins for retail payments, “we are increasingly complementing that work with a focus...

Wholesale Inventories Rose 0.5% in February, Matching Economists’ Expectations
Economy // April 10, 2024

U.S. wholesale inventories rose 0.5% in February compared with January. When compared with February 2023, these total inventories declined 1.5%, the U.S. Census Bureau said in a Wednesday (April 10) press release. The monthly rise in wholesale inventories was expected by economists polled by Reuters, the media outlet reported Wednesday....

Interviews & Exclusives
Inventory Data Hints at Summer Slowdown — and Main Street Merchant Markdowns

April 11, 2023
When goods pile up on shelves and in wholesale channels,  markdowns loom. And among the latest spate of economic data, there are hints that a summer slowdown for many merchants may be in the offing. As reported by the Census Bureau on Monday (April 10), U.S. wholesale inventories were up in February, where there had […]

Thriving Middle East Trade Breeds New Business Marketplace Opportunities

August 09, 2022
Like any other part of the world, there’s been a rapid adoption of digital services in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where the value of cross-border trade...

Quick Reads
Costco to Raise Membership Fees for First Time in 7 Years

July 10, 2024
Costco will raise its annual membership fees in the United States and Canada for the first time in seven years. Effective Sept. 1, in those countries, the retailer is adding $5 to the cost of its Gold Star (individual), Business and Business add-on memberships and adding $10 to the price of its Executive Memberships, Costco […]

Nike Reports Continued Channel Shift From D2C to Wholesale

June 27, 2024
Nike continued its shift from direct-to-consumer (D2C) to wholesale channels over the past three months. During the quarter ended May 31, the footwear, apparel and equipment company’s Nike Direct revenues...

Sam’s Club Says AI Exit Scans Are in 120 Stores

April 30, 2024
Sam’s Club said its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered exit scanners are now in 120 stores. The technology, first announced in January, eliminates the practice of having customers wait in line as...

Bank of England Seeks Input on Retail, Wholesale Payments Technology

April 15, 2024
The Bank of England is studying the use of new technologies to enhance both retail and wholesale payments functionality. While the central bank has been focused on establishing regulatory regimes for the...