Retail Brew // Morning Brew // Update

May 27, 2025

It’s Tuesday, and President Trump is delaying a proposed 50% tariff on the EU until July, ensuring this summer will be busy for countries negotiating with the US, not to mention a possible reprieve for retailers trying to find their footing.

In today’s edition:

—Vidhi Choudhary, Alex Vuocolo

E-COMMERCE

Linking up for success

Google

Over the years, Google’s AI strategy for merchants has focused on streamlining content creation and personalization.

On Wednesday, the tech giant took that premise a step further with the rollout of a new set of AI tools that online sellers can use to save them from endless hours of content-tweaking and video-resizing headaches. At Google Marketing Live, Google unveiled Asset Studio, Image-to-Video, and Brand Profiles, which will all soon be available to retailers in the US.

Google’s Asset Studio is the mothership for all creative tools in Google Ads, and advertisers can use it to upgrade basic product photos to professional-level lifestyle images. Brand Profiles within Google’s Merchant Center allow retailers to define and establish their kind of website on Google.

In an exclusive chat with Retail Brew, Jenny Cheng, VP and GM of merchant shopping at Google, and Jyotika Prasad, senior director of retail ads, discussed big-picture themes and Google’s overall AI strategy for e-commerce.

“Weʼve been on this journey the last year or two to really bring in more AI into our products and tools,” Cheng said, adding that online brands of all sizes have expressed anxiety about missing out on AI advancements. With these new tools, the idea is to make businesses more productive and impactful across Google services.

“It really is about making sure that AI enables that creative partner aspect in Merchant Center, but also across Google as a whole,” Cheng said. “The bigger vision is that Merchant Center is going to be this comprehensive content hub to allow different businesses to really emphasize and show their brand.”

Keep reading here.—VC

From The Crew

A retailer’s guide to mastering customer data

Transform your retail business with data-driven insights.. Through customer information, retailers gain the ability to predict trends, understand seasonal demands, and create shopping experiences tailored to individual preferences. A strong data strategy balances privacy regulations with customer-first initiatives.

Today’s leading retailers use data to generate actionable insights, maintain optimal inventory levels, and develop personalized experiences. This comprehensive guide reveals the untapped potential of retail data and its impact on customer loyalty and revenue. Download it now.

STORES

Category shuffle

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

After a strong Q1 in which increasing customer transactions fueled sales, TJX Companies, owner of TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods, says it has a plan for dealing with tariff-related inventory issues: If a certain product category becomes less available, the company will just shift availability to a different product.

CEO Ernie Herrman put it this way: “The good thing with our flexibility is, we will just take advantage of an adjacent category. We’d have a little less inventory on that and we’ll go after the ones where we think there’s more exciting value to put out there.”

This flexibility stems in part from the simplicity of TJX’s value proposition, Herrman explained.

“I always emphasize this: Our only contract to the customer is that we will have great value on the goods that we put out there, and it will be below the out-the-door price of traditional retailers, specialty retailers, etc.,” he said.

In other words, it’s all relative.

Keep reading here.—AV

RETAIL

Week in the knees

Bing-Jhen Hong/Getty Images

Memorial Day weekend is over, and the summer is (unofficially) here. Now retailers just need to navigate a Q2 rife with uncertainty around tariffs, tax bills, geopolitical instability, and any number of other obstacles and challenges. In the meantime, here are some retail happenings to keep you busy:

In conferences: SubSummit is coming to Dallas this week from Wednesday through Friday. The industry gathering brings together 2,000-plus professionals focused on subscription, membership, and recurring revenue, from firms ranging from direct-to-consumer (DTC) startups to streaming giants. Retailers such as Albertsons, GNC, and Alibaba are sending speakers.

Keep reading here.—AV

Together With Bazaarvoice

Fast-track the campaign trail. Creation, conversion, growth, and revenue—Bazaarvoice Vibe can do it all. They’re the all-in-one campaign management tool designed to supercharge your campaign strategy. Connect with 21.1m verified consumers and creators to spark social buzz and drive conversions. Give it a whirl.

Level up your career with these resources from our sponsors!

Long story short: Seamless shopping retail success

Transform retail data into revenue: Learn to predict customer trends, create personalized shopping experiences, and drive results. Download now

SWAPPING SKUS

Today’s top retail reads.

Outside hire: 7-Eleven just approved the hire of Stephen Hayes Dacus as CEO. (the Associated Press)

Going private: More retailers are considering going private again as Trump’s trade war makes for a tough environment for public companies. (Reuters)

Temu tumble: Temu owners PPD Holdings is struggling with increased competition and trade restrictions, and shares have tumbled accordingly. (Bloomberg)

JOBS

Be part of something bigger than job boards.. CollabWORK taps into niche communities and newsletters like Retail Brew to connect you with relevant opportunities. Expand your network and discover roles that are just right for you—click here to see jobs selected for Retail Brew.

Creative Project Manager - Retail Media at Albertsons Media Collective (hybrid)
VP of Marketing & Brand Strategy at Stephen Silver Fine Jewelry (in person)
Head of E-commerce at a global CPG brand (hybrid)

SHARE THE BREW

Share Retail Brew with your coworkers, acquire free Brew swag, and then make new friends as a result of your fresh Brew swag..

We’re saying we’ll give you free stuff and more friends if you share a link. One link.

Your referral count: 0

Click to Share

Or copy & paste your referral link to others:
retailbrew.com/r/?kid=6b35f7e7

ADVERTISE // CAREERS // SHOP // FAQ

Update your email preferences or unsubscribe .
View our privacy policy .

Copyright © 2025 Morning Brew Inc. All rights reserved.
22 W 19th St, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10011

☕ Tool your heels