--- title: "February 2024: Monthly Consumer News Roundup" description: A compilation of news stories from all corners of the consumer landscape, from CPG, retail, beauty, tech, hospitality, real estate, deals, investments, and more. image: https://flipfit-cdn.akamaized.net/flipfit-prod-tmp/items/1706930197590-750365925RED6V1.thumb.webp --- [![logo-vert-traub (2)](https://blog.traub.io/hs-fs/hubfs/TRAUB_September2019/Image/logo-vert-traub%20(2).png?width=456&height=312&name=logo-vert-traub%20(2).png "logo-vert-traub (2)")](http://traub.io/) - [Who We Are](https://www.traub.io/who-we-are/) - [What We Do](https://www.traub.io/what-we-do/) - [Meet Our Team](https://www.traub.io/our-team/) - [See Our Work](https://www.traub.io/case-studies/) - [Read Our Content](https://www.traub.io/read-our-content/) - [Traub Capital](https://www.traub-capital.com/) # February 2024: Monthly Consumer News Roundup By [TRAUB](https://blog.traub.io/blog/author/traub) On February 29, 2024 [![Share on facebook](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/3275719/hubfs/hs_marketplace_assets/modules/Social_Sharing/81/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.traub.io/blog/monthly-news-feb-2024&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) [![Share on linkedin](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/3275719/hubfs/hs_marketplace_assets/modules/Social_Sharing/81/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.traub.io/blog/monthly-news-feb-2024&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) [![Share on twitter](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/3275719/hubfs/hs_marketplace_assets/modules/Social_Sharing/81/twitter-color.png?width=24&name=twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://blog.traub.io/blog/monthly-news-feb-2024&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://blog.traub.io/blog/monthly-news-feb-2024&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) Each month, we'll be sharing a compilation of the biggest news stories from all corners of the consumer landscape, from CPG, retail, beauty, tech, hospitality, real estate, deals, investments and more. --- **Here's our roundup of recent consumer and retail news articles: ** Macy’s Will Close 150 Stores but Expand Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury The retailer, under a new chief executive and facing a takeover bid, outlined a three-year strategy to achieve “sustainable, profitable growth.”[ NYT](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/27/business/macys-earnings-strategy.html?utm_campaign=Weekly%20News&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9t_Nd2awA1yp9PmpOBqkKNoOo3e953Y24xfmYf-V8VAadwXLMtygG4JZtC-IPU-U0DK3Mb)   ESPN, Fox and Warner Team Up to Create Sports Streaming Platform New service will be available as a stand-alone app, and to Max, Hulu and Disney+ subscribers as part of a bundle. [WSJ](https://www.wsj.com/business/media/fox-warner-bros-discovery-and-disney-create-new-sports-streaming-venture-c9836792?mod=hp_lead_pos4&utm_campaign=Weekly%20News&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9t_Nd2awA1yp9PmpOBqkKNoOo3e953Y24xfmYf-V8VAadwXLMtygG4JZtC-IPU-U0DK3Mb)   Why Costco is so loved Costco is the world’s third-biggest retailer, behind Walmart and Amazon. Though its sales are less than half of Walmart’s, its return on capital, at nearly 20%, is more than twice as high. [The Economist](https://www.economist.com/business/2024/02/15/why-costco-is-so-loved?utm_campaign=Weekly%20News&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9t_Nd2awA1yp9PmpOBqkKNoOo3e953Y24xfmYf-V8VAadwXLMtygG4JZtC-IPU-U0DK3Mb)   The High Cost of Eating Out in America As restaurants struggle with staffing and inflation, fast food has an advantage in the post-pandemic dining landscape. [Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-02-23/restaurant-prices-keep-us-diners-at-home-slowing-sales?srnd=businessweek-v2&embedded-checkout=true&utm_campaign=Weekly%20News&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9t_Nd2awA1yp9PmpOBqkKNoOo3e953Y24xfmYf-V8VAadwXLMtygG4JZtC-IPU-U0DK3Mb)   ![](https://blog.traub.io/hs-fs/hubfs/e.l.f.-App-by-Obsess-2-e1707337694217.jpg?width=318&height=170&name=e.l.f.-App-by-Obsess-2-e1707337694217.jpg) Brands are betting on Apple Vision Pro’s potential as a shopping channel For some brands, the launch of Apple Vision Pro could usher in a new era of online shopping and customer engagement. [Modern Retail](https://www.modernretail.co/technology/brands-are-betting-on-apple-vision-pros-potential-as-a-shopping-channel/?utm_campaign=Weekly%20News&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9t_Nd2awA1yp9PmpOBqkKNoOo3e953Y24xfmYf-V8VAadwXLMtygG4JZtC-IPU-U0DK3Mb)   Ozempic Maker Novo Gets Calls From ‘Scared’ Food CEOs Makers of everything from snack food to knee implants are facing a potential threat from Novo Nordisk A/S’s powerful appetite-suppressing treatments. So they’re calling the drugmaker for advice. [Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-08/-scared-food-ceos-are-calling-ozempic-maker-novo-nordisk-for-advice?srnd=undefined&utm_campaign=Weekly%20News&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9t_Nd2awA1yp9PmpOBqkKNoOo3e953Y24xfmYf-V8VAadwXLMtygG4JZtC-IPU-U0DK3Mb)   Walmart Hits $100 Billion In E-commerce Sales for 2023 The company topped off the year with a strong fourth quarter, but sees revenue growth moderating in 2024. [WWD](https://wwd.com/business-news/financial/walmart-q4-2023-earnings-100-billion-ecommerce-1236202797/?utm_campaign=Weekly%20News&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9t_Nd2awA1yp9PmpOBqkKNoOo3e953Y24xfmYf-V8VAadwXLMtygG4JZtC-IPU-U0DK3Mb)   Google's Gemini Mired in Controversy Over AI Chatbot Push Search company is betting on AI for its next big business, but the tech’s pitfalls are playing out in real time. [WSJ](https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/google-mired-in-controversy-over-ai-chatbot-push-46023dd3?utm_campaign=Weekly%20News&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9t_Nd2awA1yp9PmpOBqkKNoOo3e953Y24xfmYf-V8VAadwXLMtygG4JZtC-IPU-U0DK3Mb)   ![Amazon.com : Carbone Roasted Garlic Pasta Sauce | Tomato Sauce Made with Fresh & All-Natural Ingredients | Non GMO, Vegan, Gluten Free, Low Carb Pasta Sauce, 24 Fl Oz (Pack of 4) :](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/818ezem+BZL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg) Why ‘restaurant CPG’ will grow in the US but won’t disrupt the status quo Restaurant CPG is fast becoming a legitimate competitor to big and emerging brands in the battle for shelf space. [Just Food](https://www.just-food.com/comment/why-restaurant-cpg-will-grow-in-the-us-but-wont-disrupt-the-status-quo/?cf-view&utm_campaign=Weekly%20News&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9t_Nd2awA1yp9PmpOBqkKNoOo3e953Y24xfmYf-V8VAadwXLMtygG4JZtC-IPU-U0DK3Mb)   The future of luxury e-commerce is trending toward DTC The most likely scenario is that luxury brands will continue to build out their own e-commerce stores while partnering with software-as-a-service companies like Shopify and Commerce Layer to handle the operations behind-the-scenes. [Glossy](https://www.glossy.co/fashion/fashion-briefing-the-future-of-luxury-e-commerce-is-trending-toward-dtc/?utm_campaign=Weekly%20News&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9t_Nd2awA1yp9PmpOBqkKNoOo3e953Y24xfmYf-V8VAadwXLMtygG4JZtC-IPU-U0DK3Mb)   --- Inspiring Words to Live By: ![IMG_5432 (1)](https://blog.traub.io/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_5432%20(1).jpg?width=320&height=312&name=IMG_5432%20(1).jpg) For more inspiration, visit @dailystoic and @dailyphilosopher on Instagram.  --- If you don't already, follow us on [The Safari Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/39iJ2gQIJwJavlRUiGnxGz?si=wM65BcdyQqup77A7GTCBsg) as we interview the brightest and most innovative industry leaders who are shaping the retail, brand, and consumer landscape.    ### Subscribe Here! 477 Madison Avenue, 18th Floor New York, NY 10022 (646) 723-2990 [info@traub.io](mailto:info@traub.io) ![TRAUB](https://blog.traub.io/hubfs/TRAUB_September2019/Image/traub-logo.png) - [Who We Are](http://traub.io/who-we-are/) - [What We Do](http://traub.io/what-we-do/) - [Meet Our Team](http://traub.io/our-team/) - [See Our Work](http://traub.io/case-studies/) - [Read Our Content](http://traub.io/read-our-content/) - [Traub Capital](https://www.traub-capital.com/) Traub © 2023