Costco's luxury favorites, Walmart's big bet, McDonald's egg promise: Retail

Start Slideshow

Image for article titled Costco's luxury favorites, Walmart's big bet, and McDonald's egg promise: Retail news roundup — Graphic: Images: Gary Hershorn, Ethan Miller, Justin Sullivan, Shelby Knowles/Bloomberg

Costco and bulk-buying go hand-in-hand, but the retailer won’t sell just anything – although its wealthier shoppers have a big love for Rolex watches and even Porches. Walmart may have lost its revenue crown to Amazon, but it’s flexing its muscles to compete, all while winning favor with President Donald Trump. McDonald’s says it has cracked the code and won’t raise egg prices for customers, at least for now. Meanwhile, Target put DEI on the chopping block – only to push shoppers away. Check out these stories and more in this week’s roundup.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

2 / 12

A Costco executive on the luxury items its wealthy customers love

People walk through the parking lot at a Costco on Feb. 1, 2025, in Bayonne, New Jersey.

Costco (COST) is best known for its no-frills, bulk-buying experience, but the warehouse giant also moves a surprising amount of luxury goods.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

3 / 12

Walmart’s bold bet to beat Amazon and win Trump’s favor

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon delivers a keynote address during CES 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Walmart (WMT) is betting big it can win over affluent shoppers, outpace Amazon (AMZN), and gain favor with President Donald Trump.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

4 / 12

McDonald’s says it won’t charge extra for eggs

McDonald’s is bucking the trend of rising egg prices – at least for a limited time.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

5 / 12

Target put DEI on the chopping block. Then fewer customers showed up

Target (TGT) announced it was scaling back its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts one month ago. Now, the retail giant is seeing a rapid decline in store visits.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

6 / 12

Papa John’s is beating Domino’s in the pizza wars

A Papa Johns Pizza Sign at sunset on University Drive in Huntsville, Alabama.

Papa John’s is gaining ground in the competitive pizza market, outperforming Domino’s as the latter struggles with a tough macroeconomic environment.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

7 / 12

Will Trump spare restaurants from tariffs?

Waiter Alexander Alioto prepares to serve lunch to customers at Alioto’s Seafood Restaurant in San Francisco, California.

The restaurant industry is on edge, urging President Donald Trump to exempt food and beverage imports from a proposed round of tariffs set to take effect on March 4, which could cost the sector $12 billion.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

8 / 12

Generic brand groceries are winning big as inflation makes a comeback

A package of Kirkland Signature brand paper towels sits in a customer’s shopping cart while he waits to check out a Costco.

Image: Tim Boyle/Bloomberg (Getty Images)

Inflation is hitting consumers hard, and both grocery shoppers and restaurants are feeling the squeeze.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

9 / 12

Ben & Jerry’s founders eye a sweet deal to reclaim their brand from Unilever

Ben & Jerry’s (UL) founders, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, are reportedly in talks to buy back their namesake ice cream brand from Unilever.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

10 / 12

Starbucks is laying off more than 1,000 workers

A Starbucks at the Cancun International Airport.

Starbucks is laying off 1,100 corporate employees as part of an effort to streamline operations and focus on its core business, CEO Brian Niccol said in a statement on Monday.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

11 / 12

Subway is bringing back the discounted footlong. Here’s what you get for $6.99

Restaurants continue to respond to price-weary consumers with value meals and deals. The latest to entry the fray: Subway.

Costco's luxury favorites, Walmart's big bet, and McDonald's egg promise: Retail news roundup

Plus, Papa John's slices the competition as Domino's warns tariffs could drive up pizza prices