June 24, 2025

  • Amazon is expanding same- and next-day delivery to over 4,000 small towns and rural communities by the end of 2025, part of a $4 billion effort to grow its rural network and stay competitive with rivals like Walmart and Temu (via CNBC).
  • Tesla’s new robotaxi service in Austin is under federal scrutiny after videos showed vehicles driving erratically, prompting NHTSA to request more information (via CNBC).
  • Nordstrom’s annual anniversary sale runs July 12-Aug. 3, featuring over 65 new brands and deeper discounts. The event comes as the now-private retailer ramps up in-store and online events to compete with other major summer sales (via Retail Dive).
  • Ford is warning that 1,700 jobs at its $3 billion Michigan EV battery plant could be at risk if Congress cuts clean energy tax credits, a key part of the company’s funding plan under current law (via Bloomberg).
  • Uber and Waymo have launched their commercial robotaxi service in Atlanta, allowing Uber users to hail Waymo self-driving cars across a 65-square-mile area (via TechCrunch).
  • DoorDash has added Big Y, Citarella, Gelson’s, and Gordon Food Service Store to its platform as part of its ongoing expansion into grocery and food retail delivery (via DoorDash).
  • Amazon is building one of the world’s largest AI-focused data center complexes in Indiana to support its partnership with Anthropic, consuming enough electricity to power a million homes (via The New York Times).
  • JCPenney will permanently close its Alliance Supply Chain facility in Haslet, Texas, by Nov. 1, affecting nearly 300 employees (via Retail Dive).
  • Claire’s is reportedly exploring a potential sale of part or all of its business as it faces financial strain and works to restructure its finances ahead of a $500 million loan due in 2026 (via Crain’s Chicago Business).
  • Canadian CPG brands like Blume and Mid-Day Squares are growing in the U.S. by starting small with select retailers like Whole Foods and Sprouts, using physical stores to build trust and expand gradually (via Forbes).