Foot traffic at Target fell 3.9% year over year in June, marking the fifth consecutive month of declines for the retailer since it announced it was rolling back some of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.

While June’s foot traffic decline was worse than those in April (-3.3%) and May (-1.6%), the drop was not as precipitous as February (-9%), the first full month after the company’s DEI shift, or March (-6.5%), according to data from Placer.ai.

In the 22 weeks following its ending some of its DEI initiatives, Target’s foot-traffic fell from 2024 levels for all but two weeks, posting modest increases of 0.4% in the week that began April 14 and 0.1% in the week that began April 21, per Placer.ai.

In a May 21 earnings call, Target CEO Brian Cornell attributed declining traffic and revenues at Target to “five consecutive months of declining consumer confidence, uncertainty regarding the impact of potential tariffs, and the reaction to the updates we shared on belonging in January.” Here “belonging” refers to DEI: The company’s now-archived DEI page was replaced with one called “Belonging at the Bullseye.”)

Keep reading here.—AAN

“Summerween,” the summertime twist on October’s ghoulfest, by most accounts originated in 2012, when an episode of the Disney animated series Gravity Falls called “Summerween” first aired. But as Retail Brew noted last summer, the notion of actually celebrating the holiday didn’t really take hold until 2024, when social-media videos about Summerween went viral. Last July saw searches reach a then-historical high, according to Google Trends.

Now it’s back, and it’s even bigger than last year. Internet searches for “Summerween” have skyrocketed yet again, more than doubling this July over last year, according to Google Trends.

On TikTok, hundreds of videos hashtagged #jackomelon show celebrants carving watermelons instead of pumpkins; others feature jack-o-lanterns carved from pineapples. Yet others highlight more newly minted traditions for the holiday, like cheeseburgers where the cheese slices have been cookie-cuttered into the shape of ghosts, and hot dogs wrapped in strips of crescent dough to look like mummies.

Retailers, naturally, are cashing in on the enthusiasm.

Keep reading here.—AAN

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Ankur Daga is co-founder and CEO of online jewelry retailer Angara.

How would you describe your job to someone who doesn't work in retail? My job is to lead the Angara team in reinventing the jewelry buying experience, transforming it from a transaction into a journey. We’re reimagining the entire process of buying fine jewelry, from sourcing gemstones and designing each piece to merchandising to online customers, and ultimately creating an exceptional product. Since our founding, I have remained committed to providing jewelry that blends high-quality design with superior craftsmanship, all at a more accessible and affordable price.

One thing we can’t guess about your job from your LinkedIn profile? I’m a racecar driver in my free time! I love competition and the thrill of constantly calculating risk versus reward. There are a lot of parallels between entrepreneurship and racecar driving—you’re always thinking three turns ahead and figuring out how quickly you can accelerate safely to reach your next goal.

What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on? Recently, Angara entered the Indian market, marking a significant milestone and a notable opportunity for our brand, expanding access to our natural and lab grown diamond and colored gemstone jewelry.

Keep reading here.—EC

Amazon’s Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) program transformed e-commerce shipping, making fast, reliable delivery the new standard. From its 2006 launch to today’s massive, robotic fulfillment centers, FBA helped sellers grow by handling complex logistics and winning the coveted Buy Box. Discover how Amazon built one of the most powerful supply chain systems in retail history—and why it’s now essential for success on the platform.