Executive Summary

August 10, 2018

• This week’s note “From the Desk of Deborah Weinswig” discusses five reasons we’re optimistic about this year’s back-to-school shopping season.
• Malls are now being repurposed as startup incubation hubs. Mall operators are teaming up with startup programs to offer startups coworkingspaces, networking and mentorship possibilities.
• UK retail sales grew by6% year over year in July,fueled largelyby a consistently warm summer and food and drink sales.Sales growth inJulywasbelowthe three-monthaverage of 2.7%.
• Walmart is planning to increase its headcount by 1,000 in India to drive technology development and maintenance in the country and to hold off competition from e-commerce rival Amazon.