USA case

Francis Scialabba

President Trump’s impending tariffs on many foreign-made goods has piqued consumers’ interest in products made stateside, which could spur more companies to center marketing around “Made in USA” claims. This could be a smart move—if companies don’t take liberties with it.

When they do, or at least a company’s competitors think they do, it’s often the job of Phyllis Marcus, VP of the National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs, along with her team of attorneys, to vet these “Made in USA” claims. BBB National Programs is an independent, nonprofit entity formed in 2019, when the Council of Better Business Bureaus restructured, and now oversees advertising industry self-regulation programs.

Outside of those applying to automobiles, textile, wool, and fur products, there are no laws requiring consumer goods companies to report US content of their products. However, if they do, “they have to do so carefully,” because there are plenty of Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations around what they can say, Marcus told Retail Brew.

While it currently has a “robust body of cases,” NAD has yet to see an influx of cases related to Trump’s tariffs, but they could be coming, Marcus said. “We do predict based on the current economic climate that making these claims may become more important to companies, advertising programs, and campaigns,” she added.

Marcus—who previously spent more than 17 years at the FTC, including as its chief of staff in the division of advertising practices—broke down NAD’s process of regulating these claims, and recent cases it’s taken on.

Keep reading here.—EC

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 now.

STORES

Foot in the door

Dick's and Foot Locker logos side-by-side

Dick's Sporting Goods, Foot Locker

Dick’s Sporting Goods will spend $2.4 billion to acquire rival Foot Locker, hoping to boost its international footprint, attract a younger and more urban customer base, and corner the market on ~~striped referee shirts~~ Nike products.

While Dick’s draws a suburban, older crowd that’s probably more interested in being fitted for golf clubs and Skechers, Foot Locker’s youthful customers are more likely to be into the sneaker culture that Dick’s sees as key to its growth:

UBS analysts believe Nike could account for 35% of Dick’s total sales when the deal is completed.
Foot Locker, which will continue as a standalone brand, has 2,400 locations and some actually aren’t in American malls. (It operates in 20 countries, while Dick’s has yet to expand beyond US borders.)

Keep reading here on Morning Brew.—DL

RETAIL

Earn the hard way

Mario Tama/Getty Images

The steepest China tariffs are on pause, so why not take a breather as well and tune in for an educational week of earnings, conferences, and webinars.

Here’s a quick rundown of what’s happening:

In earnings: It’s a big week for retailer earnings, with all the major categories represented. In the home improvement category, Home Depot reports on Tuesday, and Lowe’s reports on Wednesday.. Both companies showed signs of life in Q4, as they broke out of their respective losing streaks and expressed long-term optimism that consumers would start investing in their homes despite higher mortgage rates. In the discount category, TJX Companies reports on Wednesday, and Ross Stores reports on Thursday. Discounters have generally excelled in this economy, and TJX arguably most of all. The parent company of TJ Maxx and Marshalls last quarter said it benefitted from a strong holiday season and was in a position to benefit from the chaotic market conditions ahead. In the big-box and warehouse categories, Target reports on Wednesday, and BJ’s Wholesale Club reports on Thursday. The former had a solid holiday quarter, but saw declining profits, and investors will be watching their Q1 earnings closely for whether its ongoing turnaround efforts are working.

Keep reading here.—AV

SWAPPING SKUS

Today’s top retail reads.

Writing’s on the Wal: President Trump attacked Walmart on social media after the retail giant said it will have to raise prices due to his tariffs. (the Wall Street Journal)

Kickin’ it gold school: Why luxury jewelry company Richemont—owner of brands including Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Cartier—is growing. (CNBC)

Home field advantage: How farm stops, which essentially are grocery stores with locally grown and prepared food only, could teach supermarkets a lesson. (the New York Times)

Two minutes: That’s all the time it takes to complete this brief survey—and be entered for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card. Start here.*

^{*A message from our sponsor.}

HOT TOPIC

At the mall, it’s where band tees are the only tees. In Retail Brew, it’s where we invite readers to weigh in on a trending retail topic.

Starbucks instituted a more restrictive dress code for baristas in the US and Canada, requiring them to wear a solid black shirt under their green aprons paired with khaki, black, or denim bottoms. Starbucks Workers United, the union that represents 570 of the 10,000 company-owned Starbucks, is arguing that the change should have been agreed to as part of collective bargaining rather than imposed on workers. More than 1,000 workers have participated in a strike against the policy at 75 US stores so far.

You tell us: Should Starbucks have let workers weigh in on its new dress code? Cast your vote here.

Circling back: Last week, we told you that the Trump administration is reportedly planning to shut down Energy Star, the program that for 33 years has helped consumers save on energy costs by estimating the products’ annual energy costs. We asked if you thought the program should be shut down, and 84.8% of you said it should not be shut down, while just 15.2% thought it should be.

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

☕ Stars and gripes