AGP Executive Report

Retail Earnings Watch: U.S. markets opened lower as weak July retail sales data (down 0.6% month-over-month) pushed back expectations for a September Fed hike, with major retailers like Walmart, Target, Lowe’s and Home Depot set to report this week. Consumer Behavior: New Circana data says shoppers are buying more selectively, with growth driven by need-based purchases rather than broad promotions—an early read on back-to-school demand. Retail Crime & Safety: Tukwila PD asked for help identifying a suspect in a coat theft case and stressed organized retail theft is a “shoplift for profit” problem tied to reselling. Payments Shift: The Philippines’ central bank reported digital payments hit 64.7% of retail transactions by volume in 2025, with QR Ph overtaking cards for the first time. Retail Expansion: L.L.Bean will open Aug. 28 at Greene Town Center in Beavercreek, its first Greater Dayton store. Corporate Moves: Great American Holdings named Joe Malfitano President & Head of its Retail, Merchant & Industrial Solutions business. Tech for Retail: GemFind launched JewelCloud 2.0’s Global Pixel Analytics to track jewelry engagement across hundreds of retailer sites. Online Retail Growth: Switzerland’s online retail turnover rose 11% in H1 2026, while overall retail grew 2.6%. Market Tech Costs: DDR5 RAM prices in Germany jumped sharply, with SSD pricing pain expected to last until 2030.

Retail Earnings Watch: JB Hi-Fi reported record sales and higher earnings, but warned second-half momentum softened as supplier price rises and tech stock shortages hit availability; shares slid as investors weighed resilience against cautious consumer demand. Market Mood: Wall Street dipped after U.S. retail sales fell 0.6% in July, cooling rate-hike expectations; gold edged higher on a softer dollar while oil stayed supported by Middle East tensions. Retail Security Tech: Coles and Woolworths trial facial recognition to improve staff safety amid rising in-store crime, with privacy concerns still in the mix. Consumer Complaints: India’s government said Flipkart, Amazon and Meesho led 2025 consumer grievances, with non-delivery and refunds prominent. Food & Pricing Pressure: Pakistan’s LPG auction results are delayed amid legal hurdles, with officials warning retail prices could jump ~15%—a direct hit to household “poor man’s fuel.” Groceries Policy: New Zealand’s Greens push a bill to curb “excessive” supermarket pricing, seeking penalties up to $10m. Supply Chain & Health: Monsoon rains and transport strikes in Pakistan disrupted perishables, keeping food prices above official rates. Investor/Shareholder Action: Slater and Gordon filed a class action against James Hardie over FY26 guidance and disclosure allegations tied to a sharp market-value drop.

Sports Loyalty in Qatar: Qatar has launched the Hayyoh app, letting fans earn points by linking tickets and staying until full-time, with rewards spanning food, retail, telecoms, beauty, leisure, hotels and auto services. Retail Deals in the UK: Home Bargains is still selling its “Made Up Beauty” 10-piece Face Edition kit for £29.99 (down from a £210 total value), positioning it as a limited-edition gift/pamper set. Luxury Retail Rescue: Frasers Group has saved Harvey Nichols from collapse via a pre-pack administration, after the luxury chain posted heavy losses and issued viability warnings. Shopping as an Experience in Qatar: Visit Qatar’s Hala Summer shopping festival (Aug 1–31) spotlights mall-and-dining promotions across nine destinations, from Doha Festival City to Villaggio Mall. Cost Pressure Watch (UK): UK inflation is expected to jump as energy bills rise, with economists warning the Bank of England’s rate-cut path could get harder. Consumer Tech Pricing: “Chipflation” is pushing up electronics prices in the UK as AI-driven memory-chip shortages feed through to consumer devices. Target Overstock Handling: Target says excess kitchen items and returns are managed via restocking, markdowns, clearance, salvage stores and bulk liquidation channels like Target Auction/B-Stock. War Hits Retail Logistics (Russia/Ukraine): Ukraine’s drone strikes reportedly hit Wildberries warehouses, underscoring how conflict is disrupting major retail supply chains. Fuel Price Snapshot (Philippines): Davao del Sur logged the lowest regional averages for premium and regular gasoline, while diesel varied sharply across provinces.

Retail AI in the spotlight: Andon Labs’ experimental San Francisco “Andon Market” uses an AI agent (Luna) to run day-to-day store operations, and it reportedly recommended firing a human employee after repeated late shifts—then a human team carried out the dismissal. Food safety crackdown: Maharashtra’s FDA suspended licenses for four Domino’s outlets (plus one Pizza Hut) over hygiene, grease, rust, insect issues, and missing expiry dates. Beauty retail retrenchment: Douglas Group accelerated store closures, shutting 31 locations in the first nine months of 2026 as shoppers shift online and management tightens focus on profitability and foot traffic. Shopping center comeback: Palisades Village in Pacific Palisades reopened after a $100M restoration, returning 99% leased with more than 40 businesses and major names like Erewhon and Blue Ribbon Sushi. Consumer spending pressure: Multiple reports point to a sharp July retail sales slump after summer tax-refund boosts faded, adding to worries about demand and sentiment. Back-to-school support: Calgary groups ran backpack giveaways to ease costs and help kids feel ready for school. Global retail promotions: Dubai’s “Summer Surprises 2026” is pushing big shopper incentives, including home, gold, car, and scholarship draws.

Store Openings: Hobby Lobby is set to open a new Lehigh Valley store on Sept. 14 at the Airport Center in Hanover Township, taking over space left by a former Christmas Tree Shops. Consumer Mood & Retail Demand: U.S. inflation cooled in July, but Americans cut spending anyway—retail sales fell 0.6% and consumer sentiment weakened, adding to signs of fatigue. Markets Watch: The S&P 500 hit a fresh record high as inflation eased and earnings stayed strong, even as retail data raised caution. Retail Crime & Enforcement: A Wayne County court handed down multiple sentences tied to retail theft and related offenses, underscoring ongoing pressure on retailers and communities. Labor vs. Big Delivery: New York City’s push for a “Delivery Protection Act” would force Amazon to use city-based employees instead of subcontractors, with Amazon and logistics groups warning of higher costs. Fuel Prices: Nigeria’s petrol depot prices fell in several major markets, including Lagos and Calabar, as competition among marketers intensified. Retail Tech & Shopping: Plato’s Closet is leaning into resale for back-to-school, using a “hidden school hallway” experience to sell confidence without overspending. Travel Retail Upgrade: A €2.6m Maxol redevelopment in Dooradoyle will add a Burger King, expand deli offerings, and bring new seating and retail options. Retail Finance: Suez Canal Bank reported H1 2026 profit growth, supported by deposit expansion and stronger retail funding.

Retail Sales Watch: US retail sales fell 0.6% in July and consumer sentiment weakened, cooling Fed-hike odds and rattling markets as investors weighed a slowdown. Gold & Commodities: Gold and silver climbed after the retail-sales miss, with rate-hike expectations fading even as oil risk and yields stayed in focus. Pharmacy Regulation: Nevada’s proposed rule limiting pharmacists to 250 prescriptions per day drew pushback from retailers, who warn it could force closures and hurt patients. Food Safety: Texas-produced eggs were recalled over potential Salmonella contamination, with FDA risk upgraded to “high risk.” Retail Crime: Multiple reports highlighted organized retail theft crackdowns and arrests, underscoring ongoing pressure on store operators. Travel Retail & Tourism: Coca-Cola India’s “Locally Yours” backs Srinagar entrepreneurs, while travel retail data shows vodka outperforming in global airport shops. Experiential Retail: Crunchyroll’s immersive “next chapter” pop-ups return Aug. 22 at The Loop, with exclusive collectibles tied to major anime. Local Retail Expansion: El Pollo Loco is set to open a new Albuquerque West Side location after renovating a former Carl’s Jr. Consumer Finance: Puerto Rico’s credit profile stayed strong, with delinquency rates generally stable or improving.

US Retail Slowdown: July U.S. retail sales fell 0.6% month-on-month, the biggest drop since May 2025, with core sales also weaker; the miss is weighing on rate expectations and helping lift gold as consumers show “fatigue.” Market Moves: The dollar slid to its weakest since May after the data, while Wall Street opened mixed as investors digested retail numbers and Middle East developments. Gold Jumps: Spot gold spiked to about $4,387/oz following the retail-sales drop, with traders leaning toward a Fed “hold” in September. Retail Tech & Security: A new look at digital signage at scale warns retailers to treat connected displays like IoT, isolate them from payments, and tighten admin access and network segmentation. EU Trade Pressure: Proposed EU pesticide residue “mirror” rules could force suppliers to stop using certain hazardous substances, raising prices and potentially cutting agricultural imports. New Retail Financing: Malaysia’s Resintech secured RM41m Islamic financing for a Selangor hostel plus four retail shops, with the project expected to lift gearing. Brand/Marketing Hire: Death Wish Coffee named a new CMO to drive marketing, digital, and retail expansion. Venture Access for Retail: Robinhood launched Ventures Fund II on the NYSE, letting everyday investors buy into early-stage startup shares.

Wage Pressure Meets Legal Pushback (Philippines): Metro Manila’s minimum wage is set to rise to P85/day (P60 from July 25, plus P25 on Jan. 20, 2027), but a Pasig court issued a temporary restraining order after construction firms argued the hike ignores employers’ ability to pay. Retail Profit Watch (Russia): Grocery chain X5 reported IFRS net profit down 39.3% in H1 2026, even as revenue and gross profit grew, with staff and shipping costs rising. Premium Brand Expansion (China): Alo Yoga launched on Alibaba’s Tmall, hitting 10 million yuan in first-day sales within a minute, signaling strong demand for higher-priced activewear and footwear. Ad Tech Growth (Australia/NZ): Guideline SMI expanded its booking database with more independents and Accenture Song, now covering about $200B in annual media spend and building an Australia/NZ ad pricing product. Health & Consumer Safety (US): A CDC Foundation analysis found 69.4% of tracked e-cigarette dollar sales in late Dec. 2025 went to products the FDA never authorized. Airport Retail Upgrade (NZ): Auckland Airport will add standalone Aesop and Le Labo stores as part of a duty-free and retail revamp. Food Inflation Hits Shelves (South Korea): Paris Baguette and other firms are raising prices in the second half, adding fresh pressure to household budgets. Retail Crime Spotlight (US): Cape Coral police arrested a woman tied to multiple Target thefts totaling $1,305.73. Retail Property Moves (Canada): Coaldale, Alberta broke ground on a six-building, grocery-and-pharmacy anchored shopping centre, Coaldale Crossing. Retail Deals (India): V-Mart’s “Mahabachat Ka Double Offer” is drawing strong response ahead of its Aug. 16 deadline. Tech for Retail Robotics (South Korea): XYZ secured Nvidia H100/H200 GPUs to support humanoid robot development, with deployments planned for retail sites.

Retail Partnerships: National Retail Solutions is teaming up with Uber Eats to let independent merchants offer remote ordering for delivery or in-store pickup via the Uber Eats app, aiming to bring chain-level digital tools to local stores. Consumer Value Pressure: UK research flags shrinkflation as a top shopper frustration, with 33% citing reduced pack sizes as a major “mug off,” alongside broader anger at hidden fees and unclear value. Luxury & Store Openings: Nespresso Canada reopened its Sherway Gardens boutique in Toronto with a redesigned, more personalized premium experience, while Lagardère Travel Retail brought Burberry back to Amsterdam Schiphol Lounge 2 after a year-long absence. Brand Expansion: Lunchskins is rolling out home-compostable freezer bags nationwide at Albertsons banners and compostable cling wrap at Sprouts ahead of back-to-school. Payments & Checkout Flexibility: valu Jordan partnered with Hypermax to add BNPL at point-of-sale terminals and online, expanding flexible payment options across categories. Corporate Restructuring: QVC Group exited Chapter 11 after cutting debt by more than $5B and securing a new $600M credit line.

Retail Crime & Enforcement: Victoria Police is adding 150 Protective Services Officers and expanding Operation Pulse across more shopping strips and centres, aiming to boost daily retail patrol coverage and crack down on shop theft and drugs. Consumer Goods & Pricing: Ottogi will raise shipment prices on select cup noodle and dumpling brands from September, citing higher raw material and packaging costs, while India’s retail inflation inched up to 4.45% in July as food inflation hit 5.52%. Retail Strategy & Brands: Chewy is consolidating multiple private labels into one master “Chewy Made” brand to simplify shopping and support future proprietary growth. Retail Finance & Regulation: Greece’s finance ministry says banks control ATM placement, but allows village shops to voluntarily offer cash withdrawals to improve cash access in low-infrastructure areas. Store Openings & Spaces: The first U.S. HARIBO retail store opened at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, bringing a dedicated candy-and-merch destination to gummi fans. Competition Watch: The ACCC conditionally approved Black Rhino’s acquisition of Club Hotel Motel Roma, requiring divestments to protect liquor retail competition in rural Queensland.

Retail Pricing & Policy: Malaysia’s MoF cut non-subsidised fuel prices for Aug 13–19, with RON97 down 20 sen/litre, RON95 down 15 sen, and diesel down 10 sen, while subsidised rates stay unchanged. US Retail Legislation: The Common Cents Act is advancing after House and Senate passage, aiming to let retailers round cash totals to the nearest five cents when exact change isn’t available (card totals unchanged). Labor & Groceries: Vermont grocer Healthy Living is asking the NLRB to undo union recognition, arguing a hiring surge was a “salting” campaign; workers voted 105–69 in April. Corporate Moves: Home Depot said CEO Ted Decker is taking temporary medical leave, with Ann-Marie Campbell and Richard McPhail stepping in. Retail Tech: NRS launched a direct POS integration with Uber Eats so independent retailers can sync inventory and fulfill delivery orders in one workflow. Market Signals: JLL reported U.S. retail net absorption of 10.2msf in Q2 2026, with vacancy staying low as construction remains constrained. Consumer Pressure: India’s retail inflation edged up to 4.45% in July, driven by higher food and jewellery prices. Expansion & Openings: Fabletics plans to open about 20 new international stores over the next 12 months, adding markets like India and the UAE. Retail Real Estate: A new retail park is proposed near Raynesway in Derby, including drive-through units and terrace retail space.

International Retail Expansion: Ayala Corp. is rolling out ACX Retail in the Philippines to bring in more international fashion, lifestyle and specialty brands, starting with an exclusive distribution partnership for Musinsa Standard and building on past deals with Anko, Makro and Spinneys. Platform Power Debate: Nongfu Spring founder Zhong Shanshan criticized e-commerce platforms for algorithm-driven pricing and traffic allocation that squeeze traditional distributors and reduce impulse shopping. Beauty Retail Experience: Fenty Beauty opens its first Australian concept store, Fenty Beauty Lane at Myer Melbourne, leaning into immersive services and exclusive launches. Off-Price Growth: Shinsegae’s Shinsegae Factory Store debuts overseas with a franchise off-price location in Laos, then plans more Southeast Asia expansion. Retail Crime & Compliance: Police charged suspects in a multi-jurisdiction organized retail theft ring targeting 100+ businesses and $500,000+ in goods; in Australia, Victoria’s watchdog seeks to stop Panda Mart trading over product safety and labeling concerns. Consumer Goods Launch: Goldfish rolls out certified gluten-free cheese crackers this November. Local Retail Development: Fort Worth moves to rezoning around its TEXRail station to spur mixed-use residential and retail growth.

Retail Crime & Safety: Retailers Against Crime (RAC) is rolling out a UK billboard campaign in Glasgow to teach shoppers how to spot distraction theft, counterfeit gift cards, ATM fraud, compensation scams, and impersonation scams, with guidance on what to do if targeted. Back-to-School Retail Access: iDental Orthodontics in Racine launched a Medicaid/BadgerCare Plus “Back-to-School Smile Access Initiative,” offering Saturday orthodontic appointments and an Oral-B electric toothbrush for the first 100 qualifying patients. Mass Retail New Products: PiiPER debuts edible buttercream frostings and edible glitter/color products at Target and Walmart, with wider rollout planned for Kroger, Michaels, and Amazon. EV Charging for Shoppers: QuickCharge by Integra Energy joined ChargeHub’s Passport Hub, adding 1,000+ charging ports across New York and the Northeast at hotels, apartments, and retail sites. Consumer Prices Watch: Numerator’s July Consumer Goods Price Index shows everyday household prices up 2.6% year over year, with inflation cooling in July. Omnichannel Delivery: National Retail Solutions (NRS) launched direct POS integration with Uber Eats, letting independent retailers sync inventory and fulfill delivery orders through one workflow. Retail Tech & Signage: Wix launched Symphony, an agentic AI platform for SMB operations, while Nanolumens introduced NanoBanner, a plug-and-play 72-inch portrait LED signage display for retail and lobbies. Food Safety: A Florida and Texas recall covers nearly 30,000 pounds of Argentine beef due to missed import reinspection steps.

Retail Partnerships: Pag-IBIG Fund teamed up with Landers Superstore, letting Pag-IBIG Loyalty Card holders nationwide get a free Shopping Pass plus membership discounts at 16 Landers branches through Oct. 31, 2026. AI in Retail: ChatGPT and Yelp deepen their tie-up so users can book tables or join waitlists directly via Yelp Reservations inside the chat. Retail Crime & Policy: Australia’s retail leaders are pushing for stronger tools after a violent shoplifting case, with “retail barring orders” under discussion to keep repeat offenders out of stores for up to a year. Store/Center Redevelopment: Edmonton City Centre has a new owner and a major multi-phase plan adding residential, retail, entertainment and wellness uses; in the U.S., Oak Park Mall owners filed plans for apartments, a hotel, restaurants and expanded entertainment space. Streaming Monetization: Ad-supported tiers are set to drive 54% of North American subscription streaming revenue by end-2026, with consumer goods and retail brands leading the shift. IPO Buzz: China’s Unitree Robotics IPO drew massive retail demand, with the retail portion oversubscribed 5,526 times. Food Safety: Taylor Fresh Foods recalled jalapeño-containing private label products after Salmonella concerns tied to fresh jalapeños. Consumer Spending Pressure: Heat is reshaping shopping behavior, with footfall cooling as shoppers avoid high temperatures. Retail Finance/Markets: Namibia’s central bank cut its 2026 growth forecast to 2.1% as diamond mining contracts and construction weakens. Retail Promotions: Grocery Outlet will mark its 80th anniversary with a discount weekend across Ohio stores Aug. 14-16.

Retail Crime & Safety: Balanga City police arrested three suspects in an Aug. 8 robbery of a tools-and-equipment store, using security footage to track them to Baguio. Retail Operations & Services: Levi’s and Uniqlo are leaning into Gen Z repair culture, with Levi’s expanding its Wear Longer handstitching program to help shoppers keep clothes in “second life.” Healthcare Retail Access: A-S Medication Solutions is pushing point-of-care dispensing as retail pharmacy closures and pharmacy deserts squeeze access. Omnichannel Delivery: Instacart and Academy Sports + Outdoors teamed up for same-day delivery in as fast as an hour, including Academy private brands. Retail Tech & Media: Directable launched a free digital signage player on Amazon supporting Vega OS, aiming to cut deployment costs for retailers. Retail Expansion & Real Estate: Ayala’s ACX Retail platform will scale international fashion and lifestyle brands across the Philippines using Ayala’s footprint. UK Retail Turnaround Watch: John Lewis department store boss Peter Ruis is stepping down, with Will Kernan set to replace him amid tough trading. Luxury Retail Stress: Harvey Nichols warned it may need a rescue deal, with about 1,200 jobs and its UK store portfolio at risk. Consumer Goods & Food: Crafty Ramen is expanding from Canada into more than 4,000 U.S. shelves, bringing frozen “puck” ramen to grocery aisles. Payments & Energy Choice: BonChon’s local operator joined the Philippines’ retail electricity choice program, tapping EvoEnergi for 17 facilities.

Retail Safety & Recalls: Taylor Fresh Foods is recalling finished products made with jalapeno peppers after a voluntary jalapeño recall tied to possible Salmonella contamination, with FDA/CDC warning for vulnerable groups. Cost-of-Living Rules: UK PM Andy Burnham says he’ll crack down on misleading discount claims and “subscription traps,” with new rules from January 2027 aimed at clearer pricing and easier cancellations. Food Inflation Watch: South Korea’s heat wave is driving “heatflation,” pushing up retail prices like spinach (+152%) and cucumbers (+55%), while livestock deaths add pressure. Retail Tech & Privacy: RMIT launched a Marketing Technology Lab to train marketers on privacy-first martech as AI personalisation grows. AI in Commerce: Glovo rolled out a “Shopping Assistant” for ChatGPT and Claude to help users discover, compare, and order retail items by natural language. Convenience Retail Supply Chain: GS25 says it’s running a dedicated Del Monte banana farm in Vietnam to secure steady quality and supply for “Fresh Week” promotions. Consumer Spending Boost: Massachusetts’ tax-free weekend drew back-to-school shoppers, especially for items under $2,500. Retail Finance & Investing: Kakao Pay Securities expanded fractional-share trading for Korean stocks, while Molbio Diagnostics’ IPO opens today with a retail bid allocation. Retail Property: McDonald’s is selling down its Hong Kong shop portfolio, finding buyers for nearly half its sites despite a weak retail property market.