In terms of the number of separate moves on the customers' whole paycheck this week, one might dub the race slow. In terms of the number of other verticals pursued outside their core, Amazon and Walmart were both running at a much brisker than usual pace. Amazon is all in on devices and delivery, while Walmart continues to advance on healthcare and reconsider its relationship to the urban affluent consumer. And we have the play-by-play guide here.   Read More...

Inspire Brands plans to acquire the Jimmy John’s sandwich chain, while furniture retailer IKEA looks to put more than $1.4 billion into an expansion drive in China. Which private equity firm backs Inspire Brands, and why is IKEA looking to invest in China? Read this week’s Pulse to find out.  Read More...

The High Cost Of Falling Behind 

The race is not always to the swift, or so the old expression goes, but in the world of payments and commerce, faster almost always seems better. But speed is a tricky proposition when building products for consumers — fast and good is a path to be rewarded, but fast and not fully functional is just a path to flaming out.  Read More...