Week 2026-W03

This week's cover

Jan 11-18th 2026• Built Jan 17, 2026 15:05

Saks Global files for bankruptcy, reflecting ongoing margin compression in the retail sector. Meanwhile, AI Agents and Agentic Commerce are influencing new strategies for consumer engagement, as seen with Etsy's integration of Google AI Mode.

Key themes this week

Saks Global bankruptcyAgentic CommerceAI Agentsmargin compressionEtsy Google AI Mode

90 articles processed this week

Show:per category

38# of articles processed

Ecommerce & Retail Tech

Breakthroughs and trends shaping online commerce, retail, and emerging tech.

How Etsy will sell directly through Google’s AI Mode

Digital Commerce 360•Jan 15

AI summary: Etsy will enable U.S. Google users to buy items from its marketplace through Google's AI Mode, following other online retailers utilizing Google's AI technology.

For retail brands, TikTok Shop’s rise brings viral success — and disruption

Retail Dive•Jan 16

AI summary: Executives at NRF highlighted major sales successes with TikTok Shop, recognizing its disruptive impact on retail fundamentals.

Marketplace Briefing: Inside the marketplace strategies of Target, Best Buy and Nordstrom

Modern Retail•Jan 15

AI summary: Target, Best Buy, and Nordstrom are emphasizing their marketplaces to drive product selection, revenue generation, and customer satisfaction across online and offline channels.

Saks Global files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, receives permission to proceed with financing plan

Digital Commerce 360•Jan 16

AI summary: Saks Global has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after acquiring Neiman Marcus, with a judge approving its financing plans to proceed despite objections.

Walmart takes to the skies nationwide with Wing drone delivery expansion

Digital Commerce 360•Jan 17

AI summary: Walmart and Wing are expanding their drone delivery partnership to reach 150 stores in 2026, aiming to serve over 40 million Americans. Plans for further expansion are in place for 2027.

Lawmakers Eye Dynamic Ecommerce Pricing

Practical Ecommerce•Jan 15

AI summary: American lawmakers are concerned about data-driven price changes in ecommerce, with one senator calling for an FTC investigation into the practice.

Modern Retail Podcast: Cautious optimism at NRF around AI and shopper sentiment in 2026

Modern Retail•Jan 17

AI summary: The Modern Retail Podcast discusses the cautious optimism surrounding AI and shopper sentiment at NRF, the retail industry's major conference in 2026.

9# of articles processed

Jewellery Industry

Key updates and articles across jewellery brands, trade, and supply chain.

Tech boost for Pandora during holiday sales

Jeweller - Business News•Jan 12

AI summary: Pandora experienced lower holiday sales due to weakened consumer demand, impacting its financial performance for the year.

India moves to protect natural diamonds; government mandate issued

Jeweller - Business News•Jan 15

AI summary: India's gem and jewellery industry has secured a government mandate establishing a national standard to protect natural diamonds by reserving the term 'diamond' for them and mandating disclosure for lab-grown alternatives.

Jeweller hits the streets in a bid to sell gigantic white opal

Jeweller - Business News•Jan 12

AI summary: A San Francisco jeweller is facing challenges in selling a large white opal to fund his retirement, as reported in a special feature by Jeweller - Business News.

Europe rocked by another multi-million dollar heist

Jeweller - Business News•Jan 12

AI summary: Criminals stole $AUD52 million in cash, gold, and jewellery from a German savings bank's vault during the holiday season, causing a major heist in Europe's jewellery industry.

Criminal gang faces court over Australian jewellery burglary

Jeweller - Business News•Jan 12

AI summary: Four French individuals have been arrested and charged in connection with a multi-million dollar luxury goods theft in Australia, leading to a criminal gang facing court over the jewellery burglary.

Unique Russian diamonds reflect holiday spirit

Jeweller - Business News•Jan 12

AI summary: Alrosa, a Russian diamond producer, has unveiled two diamonds that bear a striking resemblance to Christmas ornaments, adding a festive touch to the jewellery industry.

Pink Panthers members reportedly responsible for Greek heist

Jeweller - Business News•Jan 12

AI summary: Two members of the 'Pink Panthers' gang were arrested for a luxury goods heist in Greece, as reported by Jeweller - Business News on January 12, 2026.

36# of articles processed

Artificial Intelligence News

The latest advances and strategies in artificial intelligence and business transformation.

AI in Retail: Digital Workers Transform Operations | Deloitte US

deloitte.com•Jan 17

AI summary: AI in Retail: Deloitte US explores how digital workers can transform retail operations by enhancing agility and intelligence through AI-sourcing, offering a blueprint for retailers to implement at scale.

GenAI reshapes CPG, retail and consumer relationships | EY - US

ey.com•Jan 17

AI summary: Brands and retailers are reconsidering their use of large language models (LLMs) to protect their reputation in consumer relationships, as highlighted in a recent article by EY.

Using Agentic Commerce to Improve AI Visibility for Fashion

envive.ai•Jan 17

AI summary: Agentic commerce in AI systems goes beyond answering questions to taking autonomous actions for shoppers, such as researching products, to enhance visibility in the fashion industry.

AI Agents & Agentic Commerce: Key Insights from PLS 2025

edgardunn.com•Jan 17

AI summary: AI Agents & Agentic Commerce were key topics discussed at the Payment Leaders’ Summit in Amsterdam, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities in the sector related to Artificial Intelligence.

Artificial Intelligence in Jewelry Retail: Hype vs. Reality

jewel360.com•Jan 17

AI summary: AI in jewelry retail is being utilized for inventory demand forecasting, AI-assisted marketing content creation, automated customer communication, and product photo enhancement, according to a 2026 article on jewel360.com.

Gartner: 60% of brands will use agentic AI for one-to-one engagement

Digital Commerce 360•Jan 16

AI summary: Gartner predicts that by 2028, 60% of brands will utilize agentic AI for personalized customer interactions, replacing traditional marketing methods. This shift towards autonomous AI systems aims to enhance one-to-one engagement and streamline marketing strategies.

Brands Briefing: How leaders at Fabletics, PayPal and more are thinking about the agentic AI opportunity

Modern Retail•Jan 13

AI summary: Leaders at companies like PayPal and Fabletics discussed the need for increased trust in AI for completing transactions at NRF, recognizing there is still progress to be made in this area.

7# of articles processed

Fashion & Luxury

Innovations and changes in luxury and wider consumer products, experiences, and brands.

Amazon says its Saks Global investment is ‘worthless’

Retail Dive•Jan 15

AI summary: Amazon deems its investment in Saks Global as 'worthless,' hinting at a potentially challenging bankruptcy process for the luxury retailer.

The future of luxury during the rise of AI | Deloitte US

deloitte.com•Jan 17

AI summary: The future of luxury is being reshaped by the rise of AI, prompting luxury brands to adapt their strategies and embrace new tools according to Deloitte US.

Beverage brands update Dry January marketing based on changing consumer habits

Modern Retail•Jan 12

AI summary: Beverage brands in the nonalcoholic sector are adjusting their marketing strategies for Dry January to align with changing consumer behaviors, focusing on positive and supportive messaging rather than shame.

Tatcha Names New CEO

BoF - News (The News in Brief)•Jan 17

Diesel Names Andrea Rigogliosi New CEO

BoF - News (The News in Brief)•Jan 17

CFDA Releases New York Fashion Week Schedule

BoF - News (The News in Brief)•Jan 17

Italian Judge Acquits Influencer Chiara Ferragni Over Charity Fraud Claims

BoF - News (The News in Brief)•Jan 17