Introducing the Modern Retail Vanguard. To create this series, we selected individuals from companies like Walmart, Erewhon, Wayfair, and more, who exemplify the skills needed to succeed in today’s retail environment. Check out the full list here: buff.ly/3KJmpyH

Knix's latest product launch, a line of underwear called Invisible Cotton, was more technically challenging to develop than its seamless nature suggests. Here's what it took over 18 months and 31 prototypes to finally bring the product to life. buff.ly/coKC3BY

Unilever Wellbeing is betting on the continued convergence of beauty and wellness as GLP-1 drugs and AI-driven health data impact what consumers are looking for. buff.ly/Ez2uRAR

Entry-level talent is challenged by AI in the workforce. What are some of the solutions for that cohort? buff.ly/zz6dCga

Duer, a performance jeans brand based in Canada, is leaning into print amid an analog resurgence. The company is publishing a quarterly magazine called Interval, with the first issue dropping in October. buff.ly/lmhQXdG

This week's episode of the Modern Retail Podcast digs into how AI product recommendations are reshaping retail shelves. Increasingly, brands are strategizing around how to get their products surfaced in ChatGPT and Gemini results. buff.ly/s6GK35P

‘Drowning in measurement,’ marketers mull priorities in an internet where ‘two audiences’ exist. buff.ly/3GIaQba

Costco's business is increasingly living beyond the doors of its core warehouses, as digital sales and partnerships with platforms like DoorDash and Uber Eats are helping it attract newer, younger customers. buff.ly/PO5Zmm0

Best Buy is increasingly putting its electronics roots at the heart of its retail media pitch. On Wednesday, Best Buy held its annual showcase event highlighting what’s coming up in its retail media business — including a new part of its advertising business that the company is branding as Best Buy CTV. buff.ly/rIAWo5E

On Saturday, Sephora kicked off its TikTok Shop launch with a livestreamed shopping session hosted by Mikayla Nogueira, the mega influencer and co-founder of POV Beauty, offering shoppers access to an exclusive new holiday value set. It hints at what Sephora's strategy may look like on the platform going forward. buff.ly/GgQOzXb

Instacart CEO Chris Rogers says lower online markups, loyalty perks and cheaper delivery options are crucial to driving more online grocery growth in the coming years. buff.ly/6fAz5vo

This year, dog food brand Spot & Tango is funneling $3.5 million into top-of-funnel marketing, an effort that spans from out-of-home ads to connected TV to events. It's a notable shift from last year, when the brand spent effectively $0 on top-of-funnel marketing. buff.ly/wCFKNYe

Brands like Lela Rose, Public Goods and Quilt are betting on hotels in picturesque locales to market their products to new audiences. buff.ly/iL8uagL

Seasonal dominance belongs to the brands that capture consideration weeks before the register rings. Sponsored by Keen Decision Systems. buff.ly/PfilBcx

This year, Dave’s Killer Bread is bringing pumpkin spice bagels — which it originally discontinued seven years ago — nationwide as part of a year-round seasonal shelf strategy. Here's why the company is embracing more LTO products. buff.ly/ebCnfku

A few years ago, only a small percentage of prescription eyewear purchases happened online. Today, the estimate is closer to 15%. Sponsored by Optimax Eyewear Group. buff.ly/0tzDnmz

The price of gas overall is up about 50% in the U.S. since the start of the conflict between the U.S., Iran and Israel on Feb. 28. But last week, some states started to see alarming price increases on top of that. It could put a damper on holiday preparations for both consumers and retailers. buff.ly/4PPrKPi

Creators and brands are starting holiday campaigns months early to build awareness and test sales strategies. In turn, the campaign calendars have shifted to feature Christmas content as early as August. buff.ly/E9tUICl

Walking around a Target store today, shoppers are going to find far more K-beauty brands than they would have a year ago as the retailer seeks the latest trends and as Korean brands seek to expand into U.S. mass retail. buff.ly/0S2z3Cx

While other DTC footwear brands like Allbirds struggled, Rothy’s surpassed $200 million in sales by growing carefully, testing retail and wholesale, and managing to avoid DTC's costly expansion traps. Rothy’s CEO and president, Dayna Quanbeck, joined the Modern Retail Podcast to talk about the brand's expansion strategy. buff.ly/5pwwYPm

In the past decade, creators in the fashion and beauty space have shifted from influencers to strategic partners. That was a big topic of discussion at Glossy Pop NYC earlier this month. buff.ly/kBa3H9F