Bain & Co. projects that U.S. retails sales will slow to 3.5% growth in 2026. This statistic can be compared to the 4% growth exhibited by the American retail sector in 2025. Rising unemployment, persistent strain on cash-strapped consumers due to inflation and a lack of consumer confidence, and slowing labor supply growth are some of the named headwinds (via Chain Store Age).

The U.S. dollar has had a rough past four weeks, falling to a four-year low as measured by the Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index. A “resurgent” Yen is just one of the headwinds exerting pressure on the dollar (via Bloomberg).

McDonald’s is leaning into persistent nostalgia, bringing back an ’80s-favorite Happy Meal toy. The “Changeables were — by far — the most requested Happy Meal program on X, across social media platforms and through customer service,” said McDonald’s Senior Marketing Director Guillaume Huin (via TheStreet).

Tesla is slated to deliver its quarterly earnings report on January 28, with analysts projecting $24.9 billion in revenue and earnings per share of $0.44. The earnings report follows news that the EV automaker had delivered nearly 420,000 vehicles, trending below Wall Street estimates (via USA Today).

A proposed class-action lawsuit regarding Costco’s claim that its rotisserie chickens contain “No preservatives, MSG, gluten, artificial flavors, or colors” could be launched. The complaint, filed in a San Diego federal court, alleges that the chicken contains additives sodium phosphate and carrageenan (via TheStreet).