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Retail Media Networks Buyer’s Guide Released by IAB

| Mike O'Brien

Given the explosion in retail media networks, and the vast potential of their rich first-party data insights, the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) has released a buyer’s guide that explains the market and the players, helping brand advertisers more intelligently build media planning and buying strategies. Kroger and Walmart talk about the power of data science in their media networks.

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Shopify Offloads Logistics Assets to Flexport, Ocado

| Mike O'Brien

Shopify has pulled the plug on its ambitious in-house logistics business built up in recent years, selling Deliverr to global supply chain provider Flexport and warehouse robotics firm 6 River Systems to UK-based fulfillment automation firm Ocado. “We are changing the shape of Shopify significantly today to pay unshared attention to our mission,” said Shopify CEO Tobi Lutke in a letter to employees.

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Boxed Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

| Mike O'Brien

Boxed, purveyor of bulk home products that likened itself to an online Costco, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after failing to find a buyer and enduring sustained weak revenue and earnings, a far cry from the promise of its SPAC IPO in December 2021. An affiliate of its main creditor may purchase its software service.

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Layoffs Proliferate Across Operations Units

| Mike O'Brien

The pain from pullbacks in retail and ecommerce spending is being felt across the board in logistics, delivery and shipping operations, both internal and external, with layoffs announced at a number of companies resizing in line with lowered demand. From Walmart to 3PLs, trucking, supply chain and robotics, reports continue to pour in.

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Boxed Considers Bankruptcy, Hopes For a Buyer

| Mike O'Brien

Boxed, the once high-flying online answer to price clubs like Costco, BJ’s Wholesale and Sam’s Club, is considering a bankruptcy filing if it can’t find a buyer as its struggles continue 15 months after going public in a much-anticipated SPAC deal. At the same time, Boxed said it plans to lay off about 25% of its 136 employees.

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Cincy Brands Aims to Be the Anti-Amazon Aggregator

| Mike O'Brien

Cincy Brands, a startup acquirer, is focused on measured growth in the “better for you” category of brands offering healthier, less chemical-intensive products, seeing itself as the opposite of mega-aggregators that grew massive in a hurry and have found themselves retrenching.

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Kroger and Albertsons Deal Facing D.C. Antitrust Scrutiny

| Mike O'Brien

Senators are asking for a hearing and FTC oversight to review the proposed $24.6 billion mega deal merging Kroger and Albertsons into a grocery powerhouse, expressing concerns about its impact on the competitive landscape and on consumers dealing with soaring prices. The FTC has its work cut out with a hot political football.

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Putting Kroger and Albertsons in Context

| Mike O'Brien

Last week Kroger announced it was acquiring Albertsons for $24.5B, a major deal on the order of Amazon buying Whole Foods in 2017 that immediately reshaped the power structure in grocery. Neil Saunders, managing director and retail analyst at GlobalData Retail, helps us put the deal in context in our latest MCM CommerceChat podcast.

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Kroger’s 84.51° Labs: Pushing the Boundaries of Data Science

| Mike O'Brien

Kroger and its data arm, 84.51°, have launched a Science and Technology Solutions team. The focus is on delivering science and technology solutions that revolutionize customer engagement in retail. Andrew Cron, Chief Scientist and SVP of Science, and Barbara Connors, VP of Strategy and Acceleration at 84.51°, explain more in this podcast.

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Inflation Fears Outpace COVID, Drive Desire for BNPL Expansion

| Mike O'Brien

Fears of inflation eating away at household incomes continues to run ahead of COVID-19 concerns, according to a May trend report from 84.51˚, the consumer data and analytics arm of Kroger. These concerns are also causing more consumers to want BNPL to expand beyond products to services, according to a Harris poll.