These layoffs feel personal

Letting go is hard. Especially for small businesses with longtime employees who feel like family. We look at the latest jobs data and what retailers say about why they’re shedding jobs. Also this week, we examine the ways that store design can increase engagement and boost customer experience.

But first, a brief look at the history of the price tag, and what’s replacing it.

What’s in store? Check out which retail store boasts the best interactive tech.

Football Fanatics. The sports apparel retailer to run FIFA World Cup retail.

Slimmed down Sears. The department store has only five stores remaining.

Big cheese. Murray’s Cheese Shop unveils first holiday window.

Passing the buck. Why dollar stores actually cost customers more.

How retail design can inspire shoppers in 2026

We all know a well-designed store boosts engagement and customer experience. Richard Bennett, creative director at the branding and marketing agency Dalziel & Pow, offers six ways retailers can rethink their design in 2026: Immersive escapism to wow and entertain shoppers; spaces that tap into local culture and build communities; inviting shoppers to co-create and collaborate with customizations; flexible and responsive spaces; stores that bring your brand values to life and tell your brand story.  

Why this matters: According to Bennett, retail is now defined by emotion, purpose and participation and stores need to respond to human—not just market­—needs. (Little Black Book)

For small business owners, layoffs are personal

Companies with fewer than 50 employees cut 120,000 jobs last month, according to payroll processor ADP, a move that portends a weakening labor market. Others are pausing hiring or not replacing workers who leave. A drop in demand and an increase in cost are driving these decisions. But for small businesses, it’s painful and personal to lay off longtime workers who are like family members. The administration insists economic headwinds caused by tariffs and deportations are temporary, but retailer anecdotes tell another story. 

Why this matters: Cutting workers ahead of the busy holiday season is a sign that small businesses aren’t thriving in the current economy. The shrinkage could be long-term or even permanent. (NBC News)

Black Friday, Cyber Monday turnout sets record 

NRF says retail imports will continue to decline in 2026

Consumers’ new strategy: focus on value, finance purchases

13 ways to transform a business into a brand

How Amazon’s new AI agents will transform retail

How AI is changing the finance game for SMBs

René Lacerte, founder and CEO of BILL—a financial operations platform and payroll processor—thinks AI and automation will be the great equalizer when it comes to how Fortune 500 and Fortune 5 million companies do business. In fact, he predicts that the largest companies will soon want the agility of SMBs. BILL posits that AI agents can absorb enough of the financial back office that small businesses can redirect scarce energy toward creativity, strategy and growth.

“In a Fortune 500 firm, all the accounting happens by a team of people,” he added. “In SMB, you wear all the hats. You are a Jack or a Jill of all trades." -René Lacerte, Founder and CEO, BILL

Why this matters: The transition from paper to cloud has eliminated the need for a physical office and all its potential vulnerabilities, and AI simply adds another layer of resilience. Lacerte says that empathy is the key to human advantage in an AI-driven world. (PYMNTS)

These small business owners are putting AI to good use

Can generative AI serve as your CFO? For some small business owners, it comes pretty close. They use it to create reports on their cost of goods, schedule shifts, provide quotes, answer customer service inquiries, update their websites, create podcasts and videos and visualize room colors or layouts. A U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey found that 58% of small businesses are using genAI.

Why this matters: Small business owners have largely had to figure out for themselves how to make AI work for them. But it’s enabled them to save money on hiring junior employees, web developers and yes, even CFOs. (WSJ)

Thanks for reading this week's edition!

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The SKUpe is curated and written by Marcy Medina and edited by Bianca Prieto.