Levi's grows through DTC, data and diversification

Levi Strauss looks to double down on DTC growth with hiring, data

At Levi Strauss & Co., strengths in the most recent quarter were accented by three focus areas: DTC, diversification and data. The iconic apparel company is hiring new top executives and upgrading ERP software as it seeks to continue driving forward with a direct-to-consumer focus that began years ago.

Shopify raises monthly seller fees by more than 34%

The cost of a monthly subscription for a Shopify basic plan is set to increase from $29 to $39, the ecommerce software company announced this week. Also going up: Shopify and Advanced plans. This is the company's first significant price hike in nearly 12 years. –Ecommerce Bytes

Walmart ups bid for marketplace growth with new-seller promotion

Walmart’s latest promotion is targeting brands that may be interested in selling through its third-party marketplace. Commission rates will be reduced 25% for the next 90 days, as Walmart looks to introduce sellers to its fulfillment and advertising services. It continues a focus on marketplace growth at Walmart, as the company looks to up the SKU count in the ecommerce assortment.

Mobile commerce is on the rise, but obstacles remain

Over the last three months, 37% of adults used mobile phones to make a purchase. That’s up 29% in 2021, according to Forrester. Continuing to create better mobile experiences will only help to boost these numbers, survey results indicate. A key feature to get there: Guest checkout. –Retail Dive

Consumer spending, inflation cool in December, as sentiment perks up

A bevy of economic data released this week offers a mixed picture of the U.S. consumer. Household spending and inflation were both down, suggesting that the Fed’s campaign of raising interest rates is starting to show up at the retail level. Meanwhile, the buying mood continued to rise in January.

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