Next Sunday is Father’s Day, and major retailers are highlighting, and in some cases discounting, dad-coded products ranging from the traditional (grills, lawnmowers, and golf clubs) to the cutting edge (a bird feeder with an embedded camera). Whatever route you decide to go, the National Retail Federation is expecting you to shell out. A new survey from the trade group predicts spending will hit a record $24 billion, up from $22.4 billion in 2024.
Here’s what else is going on in retail this week:
In data releases: The consumer price index for May is due out on Wednesday, and economists are predicting the number to be in line with what we saw in April, which saw the inflation gauge rise slower than expected at 0.2% month over month and 2.3% year over year. The annual rate was notably the lowest since 2021. If the Trump administration’s steepest tariffs had gone into effect, perhaps the number would be different, but a 90-day pause has once again kicked the can down the road.
In conferences: Supply chain professionals from across the globe are gathering in Amsterdam this week for Deliver Europe 2025. Topics on the agenda include returns, freight forwarding, last-mile delivery, and, predictably, the role of AI and automation in innovating the fulfillment process.
In executive talks: Lowe’s CEO Marvin R. Ellison is participating in a fireside chat hosted by Oppenheimer & Co. on Wednesday. The home improvement chain recently announced the acquisition of Artisan Design Group, which offers interior design and installation services.
In training: More than 14,000 Starbucks supervisors are headed to Las Vegas this week for the coffee chain’s “Leadership Experience.” Pitched as “more than just a conference,” the educational event will give store managers the opportunity to take part in interactive sessions, skills training, and hear directly from senior executives.