#retail-earnings

#retail-earnings

Tech is weighing on markets, with Nvidia ( NASDAQ: NVDA) down about $7 a share on news that Meta ( NASDAQ: META) is considering using Google ( NASDAQ: GOOG) AI chips. In fact, according to The Information, as reported by CNBC, "Meta is considering using Google's tensor processing units (TPUs) in its data centers in 2027. Meta may also rent TPUs from Google's cloud unit next year, the publication reported."

Americans are spending selectively. That's the picture painted by this quarter's earnings season, and it's not surprising. Consumer sentiment is at its lowest level since 2022, job cuts are rising sharply, and tariffs are making shopping trips more expensive. Lower-income shoppers aren't the only ones feeling the heat. Analysts say well-off consumers are also "trading down" on some purchases and switching up their shopping routines to get better deals.

Richard Dickson, CEO of Gap Inc., said the brand's "Better in Denim" ad campaign, in addition to being a huge hit on social media, converted into significant sales. "With more than 8 billion impressions and 500 million views, Better in Denim culminated in a global cultural takeover and has become one of the brand's most successful campaigns to date, generating significant traffic and double-digit growth in denim,"

The medium- to long-term outlook for the UK economy does not look favourable. To be clear, we do not believe the UK economy is approaching a cliff edge, Next's half-year earnings report said. At best we expect anaemic growth, with progress constrained by four factors: declining job opportunities; new regulation that erodes competitiveness;, government spending commitments that are beyond its means; and a rising tax burden that undermines national productivity.

As the summer comes to a close, hot-button issues like tariffs, manufacturing and pricing are continuing to dominate conversations at fashion brands. After the chaos of the last few months, some companies are managing to find a way forward. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. recently reported record net sales of $1.2 billion for its second fiscal quarter. Urban Outfitters, Inc. reported a record $252.2 million in net income for its first half of the year.