Walmart is cutting hundreds of store-support roles, its latest move to simplify structure at the world’s largest retailer https://t.co/XjxBkvCjg1 ...

Group 1: Earnings Outlook - Many big technology stocks are expected to perform well, while consumer staples stocks are projected to have negative earnings growth of around 3% and consumer discretionary stocks are expected to average negative growth of approximately 5.4% [1] - Persistent inflation in consumer-facing areas, particularly food, is affecting earnings outlook, leading companies to hedge or refrain from issuing future guidance due to uncertainties around tariffs [2] Group 2: Company-Specific Insights - PepsiCo's stock is down 11.75% in 2025 and over 18% in the last 12 months, with revenue declining year-over-year for four consecutive quarters, resulting in negative earnings per share growth [4][5] - Procter & Gamble's stock is down 9.1% in 2025, hitting a 52-week low, as consumers shift towards private label brands, and the company missed on topline expectations while beating EPS expectations by 1 cent [8][9] - Costco Wholesale has delivered a total return of 233.5% over the last five years, but its high P/E ratio over 55x may deter some investors despite its strong growth and profitability [12][13] Group 3: Technical Analysis - PepsiCo's stock shows signs of a bullish reversal with the price above the 50-day simple moving average, although potential resistance exists at the current level [6] - Procter & Gamble's stock is trading at 24x earnings, around the average of the S&P 500, but at a discount to its historical averages, with a significant portion of revenue generated overseas [10] - Costco's stock may face further declines if it breaks support at its 200-day SMA, with a notable support and resistance area around $957 [15]

Investment Rating - The report indicates a cautious outlook on near-term growth momentum despite a strong GDP print, suggesting the need for more policy stimulus to boost investment demand and support the labor market [6]. Core Insights - China's 2Q25 GDP grew by 5.2% year-on-year, slightly below the 5.4% growth in 1Q25, but above market consensus of 5.1% [1][8]. - Industrial production (IP) showed a surprising increase to 6.8% in June, driven by resilient export activities, with manufacturing IP accelerating to 7.4% [3][8]. - Retail sales growth moderated to 4.8% in June, lower than the previous month and consensus expectations, indicating potential weakness in domestic demand [4][8]. - Fixed asset investment (FAI) growth slowed to 2.8% year-to-date, with a significant contraction in property investment at -11.2% year-on-year [5][8]. - The urban unemployment rate remained stable at 5.0% in June, with disposable income per capita increasing by 5.1% year-on-year [10][11]. Summary by Sections Economic Growth - 2Q25 GDP growth was reported at 5.2% year-on-year, with a sequential increase of 1.1% quarter-on-quarter [1][8]. - In the first half of 2025, real GDP growth reached 5.3%, surpassing the annual policy target of "around 5%" [1]. Industrial Production - IP growth rose to 6.8% in June from 5.8% in May, with manufacturing IP accelerating to 7.4% [3][8]. - Growth was observed in 36 out of 41 industries, with notable increases in industrial robots and integrated circuits [3]. Retail Sales - Retail sales increased by 4.8% year-on-year in June, down from 6.3% in May, influenced by earlier promotions and subsidy halts [4][8]. - Catering services saw a significant slowdown, with growth dropping to 0.9% year-on-year [4]. Fixed Asset Investment - FAI growth moderated to 2.8% year-to-date, with a single-month growth of only 0.5% year-on-year [5][8]. - Property investment continued to decline sharply, with a contraction of -11.2% year-on-year [5]. Labor Market and Income - The urban unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.0% in June, with average weekly hours worked at 48.5 [10][11]. - Disposable income per capita reached RMB 9,661 in 2Q, reflecting a 5.1% year-on-year increase [11].

Core Insights - Costco Wholesale Corporation's recent sales data indicates its strength as a defensive retail stock, achieving an 8% year-over-year growth in net sales to $26.44 billion, reflecting its value-driven membership model [1][4] Sales Performance - U.S. comparable sales increased by 4.7%, while Canada and other international markets saw gains of 6.7% and 10.9%, respectively, with total comparable sales growing 6.2% in June when excluding gas and forex impacts [2][8] - E-commerce sales rose by 11.5% in June, enhancing Costco's ability to capture consumer spending across various channels [3][8] Market Position - Costco's consistent traffic and resilient comparable sales, along with digital growth, reinforce its reputation as a reliable performer in a challenging retail environment [4] - The stock has outperformed the industry, with shares rising 14.4% over the past year compared to the industry's 6.6% growth [7] Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects Costco's sales and earnings per share to grow by 8.1% and 11.6% year-over-year, respectively [10] - Current financial-year sales are estimated at $274.97 billion, with a year-over-year growth estimate of 8.06% [13]

Joining us right now to talk about what's ahead for big box retailer Target among plummeting amid plummeting sales and sluggish sales shares and sluggish sales. I should I can't say that amid plummeting shares and sluggish sales. That's that's hard.It's a good one. CNBC. com reporter Melissa Repco is here.Her latest piece on CNBC. com is titled Lost Their Identity: Why Target is Struggling to Win Over Shoppers and Investors. Melissa, welcome.Thanks for having me. It's a really complicated time for Target be ...

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the vibrant consumer experience and significant growth in retail sales in the Zhongmu New District, driven by innovative marketing strategies and government support for consumption [3][9]. Group 1: Consumer Experience - The Zhongmu New District has integrated various commercial resources, creating a commercial matrix led by the Shanshan Outlets, which attracts over 120,000 visitors daily [3]. - Events like the "Feitian Kunpeng Bubble Art Week" enhance the shopping experience, combining shopping with family-friendly activities [3][7]. - The district's strategy includes monthly themes and weekly activities to continuously engage consumers and stimulate spending [7]. Group 2: Retail Performance - The Shanshan Outlets achieved a revenue of over 1.3 billion yuan in the first half of 2025, marking a significant year-on-year increase of 26% [7]. - From January to May 2025, the total retail sales of consumer goods in Zhongmu New District reached 9.95 billion yuan, with a year-on-year growth rate of 7.4% [9]. - Specific sectors saw remarkable growth, with automotive consumption increasing by 5%, home appliance sales by 51%, dining by 15%, and department store sales by 27% [9]. Group 3: Government Initiatives - The Zhengzhou government collaborates with platforms like Alipay and Douyin to provide consumption subsidies, enhancing the market atmosphere for spending [9]. - The district has successfully developed a provincial-level brand consumption aggregation area and multiple convenient living circles to boost local commerce [7].

Core Insights - The consumption market in Zibo is experiencing significant changes and growth driven by various policies and new commercial forces Group 1: Consumption Data - During the Spring Festival (January 28 to February 3), Zibo recorded 10,428 transactions for mobile phones, tablets, and smart wearables, generating a consumption of 29.35 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 118% [1] - During the Qingming Festival, monitored sales in key sectors reached 10.58 million yuan, up 12.14% year-on-year [1] - The "May Day" holiday saw sales in key commercial enterprises approach 800 million yuan, with monitored retail enterprises reporting a total sales of 35.8 million yuan, a 5.68% increase year-on-year [1] - The Dragon Boat Festival recorded total sales of 9.43 million yuan from 21 monitored retail and catering enterprises, marking an 11.07% year-on-year growth [1] Group 2: Policy Impact - The implementation of new consumption policies, including a "replace old with new" initiative, has been crucial in stimulating sustainable consumption growth and economic circulation [2] - The government has introduced various measures such as distributing 4 million yuan in consumption vouchers and expanding the scope of the "replace old with new" policy, which has provided solid support for the consumption market [2] - The policies have shifted consumer behavior from short-term spikes in spending to a more sustained growth pattern, enhancing the overall resilience of the consumption market [2] Group 3: Market Dynamics - The "replace old with new" policy has significantly impacted the market, with companies like New Star Appliances reporting a 23% year-on-year sales increase during the "618" shopping festival due to effective strategies and government support [3] - New Star Appliances achieved sales exceeding 32 million yuan during the summer consumption season, indicating strong consumer demand driven by policy support [5] - The opening of new commercial complexes, such as Xinma Wuyue Plaza and Hengtai City, has attracted significant foot traffic and sales, with 560,000 visitors and sales of 25 million yuan recorded in just ten days for Xinma Wuyue Plaza [5][7]

Investment Rating - The report indicates a cautious outlook for the second half of 2025, expecting real GDP growth to slip below 4.5% year-on-year [3][9]. Core Insights - The divergence between real and nominal GDP has widened, with real GDP growth at 5.2% year-on-year in Q2, supported by front-loaded production and strong fiscal support, while nominal GDP fell to 3.9% year-on-year due to deepening deflation [2][9]. - Growth is anticipated to slow in the second half of 2025 due to weaker exports, fading fiscal impulse, and a continued deflation feedback loop [3][9]. - The report suggests that deflation is likely to persist, with a modest fiscal stimulus package of Rmb0.5-1 trillion expected in September/October, but this may not effectively address the underlying issues [4][9]. Summary by Sections Economic Performance - Q2 GDP growth was better than expected at 5.2% year-on-year, driven by fiscal and export front-loading [9]. - Nominal GDP year-on-year dropped by 0.7 percentage points to 3.9%, marking the first growth below 4% since COVID-19 [2][9]. Sector Analysis - Industrial production showed a year-on-year increase of 6.8% in June, with manufacturing up by 7.4% [6]. - Fixed asset investment year-to-date growth was 2.8%, with manufacturing investment at 5.1% and infrastructure at 5.3% [6]. - The property sector continues to struggle, with sales down by 7.2% and new starts down by 13.1% year-on-year [6]. Future Outlook - The report anticipates a slowdown in growth to below 4.5% year-on-year in the second half of 2025 due to various factors including weaker global trade and continued deflation [3][9]. - June activity indicators show reduced transshipment and weaker retail sales, indicating a deepening drag from the housing sector [3][9].

Core Insights - Leslie's, Inc. has appointed Amy College as the new Chief Merchandising and Supply Chain Officer effective July 20, 2025, succeeding Moyo LaBode who left the company on July 15, 2025 [1][2] Company Overview - Leslie's, Inc. is the largest direct-to-customer brand in the U.S. pool and spa care industry, serving both residential customers and pool professionals nationwide [4] - The company operates over 1,000 physical locations and a robust digital platform, providing a wide range of essential pool and spa care products [4] Leadership Experience - Amy College brings over 25 years of retail operations leadership experience, having previously served as Chief Merchandising and Supply Chain Officer at Petco and held various leadership roles at Best Buy [2][3] - Her responsibilities will include merchandising, inventory, supply chain, logistics, manufacturing, and overseeing the company's digital marketplace business [1][2] Strategic Vision - The CEO of Leslie's expressed confidence in Amy College's strategic vision and operational expertise, highlighting her values-driven leadership style and commitment to customer experience as key factors for the company's transformation initiatives [3]

So, I spoke to customers, former employees, suppliers, and the common theme that came through is is that Target has lost a lot of the unique qualities that made it stand out from the retail pack. Things like neat stores, unique merchandise, and having very friendly employees. Now, a lot of them when they go to the store are finding out of stocks.They're noticing that employees are distracted by filling online orders. And then all that is on top of that, Target is dealing with the fact that it's facing stiff ...