Emerald vs NRF

Apollo Funds Complete Acquisitions of Emerald and Questex

Read the Press Release.

Apollo Funds Complete Acquisitions of Emerald and Questex, Creating a Scaled, B2B Experiential Events and Media Platform Positioned to Drive Sustained, Long-Term Growth

Announces Additional Executive Leadership Team Appointments

Kohl's launches another back-to-school deals promotion

Kohl’s launched a new set of back-to-school promotions on Aug. 19, 2026, cutting prices up to 50% across school supplies, apparel and beauty items and offering $10 in Kohl’s Cash for every $50 spent, plus a weekend giveaway of $5–$100 in Kohl’s Cash while supplies last. The retailer earlier promoted “thousands of products under $25” for the season. Placer.ai data cited in the story shows Q2 store visits fell 1.4% year-over-year (improving from a near-8% decline in Q1). Analysts and market research firms (Morgan Stanley, Circana, NRF) offer mixed outlooks for the back-to-school season, with NRF forecasting nearly 10% sales growth to $43.3 billion but some firms urging caution.

• Kohl’s launched a new back-to-school promotion on Aug. 19, 2026.
• Kohl’s said it is cutting prices as much as 50% on school supplies, apparel and beauty items and previously advertised thousands of products under $25.
• Customers can earn $10 in Kohl’s Cash for every $50 spent; the retailer is also running a weekend giveaway offering $5 to $100 in Kohl’s Cash while supplies last.

NRF: Retailers Stocked Up Ahead of Tariff Changes

The National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates' Global Port Tracker report found a 13.2% year-over-year increase in 20-foot containers (TEUs) at major U.S. ports in June as retailers imported inventory ahead of tariff changes. NRF now expects July imports to fall 7.6% year over year and projects August imports to decrease 4.2% year over year. NRF Vice President Jonathan Gold said retailers accelerated shipments because of upcoming tariff shifts and other supply-chain disruptions, including the conflict in Iran. Temporary 10% Section 122 global tariffs expired July 23 and a new round of Section 301 tariffs took effect July 24. A Deloitte study cited earlier buying timelines, with many holiday orders placed by the end of May.

• Global Port Tracker (NRF and Hackett Associates) reported a 13.2% year-over-year increase in 20-foot containers (TEUs) at major U.S. ports in June.
• NRF previously projected nearly 19% growth for June but revised that figure down.
• NRF now expects July imports to be down 7.6% year over year and projects August imports to decrease 4.2% year over year.

NRF: Shoplifting Stabilizes, Online Gift-Card Fraud Grows

The National Retail Federation (NRF) reports that shoplifting incidents have stabilized and fallen for the first time in several years, a trend the NRF attributes to retailers’ investments in store hardening, technology and staff training. Meanwhile, loss-prevention specialists at over 60 major retailers cite increases in phone scams, e-commerce/digital fraud, and gift-card and return fraud; the report also highlights supply-chain vulnerabilities such as cargo theft. The NRF surveyed senior loss prevention and security executives at 66 retailers (143 brands) from February to April 2026. The article notes the NRF no longer publishes an annual shrink report (stopped in 2024) and references other research showing shoplifting rises in some U.S. cities. The U.S. House passed anti-organized retail crime legislation earlier in 2026, an NRF lobbying priority.

• The NRF surveyed senior loss prevention and security executives from February to April 2026 across 66 retailers representing 143 brands.
• According to the NRF, the average number of shoplifting and merchandise theft incidents fell for the first time in several years.
• Loss prevention specialists reported increases in phone scams, e-commerce/digital fraud, and theft/fraud related to gift cards and returns.