TLDR

Dick’s names a slate of executives to lead Foot Locker as deal closes: Dick’s Executive Chairman Ed Stack will oversee Foot Locker alongside two presidents, including 26-year Nike veteran Ann Freeman. Barnes & Noble to acquire bankrupt Books Inc. for $3.25M: The California-based book chain would maintain its independent fleet of nine stores and join …

Nepal blocks 26 social media platforms in historic crackdown: The Nepali government on Thursday instituted a widespread block on major social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, … Social media users raise R42k for children of fallen SAPS officers: Social media users and influencers raised a total of R42 134 for the children of South …

Gap Inc. bets big on beauty, accessories: At the Goldman Sachs Global Retailing Conference Thursday, Gap Inc. CEO Richard Dickson called these high-margin “sleeper categories” that its customers want. Ulta expands globally with Mexico store openings: The beauty retailer debuted two locations in the country last month and says it is on track to open …

How to keep the ‘off’ in ‘off price’ in the tariff era: In order to make good on their value promise, TJX, Ross and Burlington are being hyper-vigilant about pricing across the industry. Macy’s posts first sales growth in years, but tariffs cast a shadow: More staff and better visual merchandising in stores drove the …

Johnnie Walker strikes a bolder note with Sabrina Carpenter partnership: Announced around the release of the singer’s new album, the multiyear pact is part of the whisky maker’s efforts to better appeal to young consumers. Depop eyes larger US presence with ads touting style ‘Depopelgangers’: The online fashion reseller’s “Where Taste Recognizes Taste” campaign spotlights …

Chinese law requiring clearly identified labels on all AI-generated online content goes into effect; government says effort is meant to combat misinformation. Google’s AI Overviews and AI Mode and ChatGPT disagree on brand picks nearly two-thirds of the time, new data shows. AI tool use is accelerating in everyday search, with ChatGPT use nearly tripling …

Meta Verified’s Search Optimization feature quietly shifts the game for small business marketers and creators: accounts subscribed to Meta Verified now get priority placement across Instagram and Facebook search results. Why Your YouTube Shorts Flatline and What You Can Do About It: Ever post a YouTube Short, see a quick spike in views, and then…nothing? …

Meta Licenses Midjourney: Meta has struck a licensing deal with Midjourney, a leader in generative AI imagery, to embed its acclaimed aesthetic technology into future Meta models and products. The move enhances Meta’s ability to compete with rivals like OpenAI and Google by improving visual features across its platforms and potentially lowering content creation costs. …

Meta Licenses Midjourney: Meta has struck a licensing deal with Midjourney, a leader in generative AI imagery, to embed its acclaimed aesthetic technology into future Meta models and products. The move enhances Meta’s ability to compete with rivals like OpenAI and Google by improving visual features across its platforms and potentially lowering content creation costs. …

Regional off-pricer Gabe’s under new ownership, avoids bankruptcy: A group of lenders has taken over the retailer, a deal with buy-in from vendors and landlords that has significantly reduced its debt. Lululemon names AI exec to improve product innovation, speed: The brand’s CIO is departing the company while Ranju Das takes on a newly formed …