Rundown: July retail sales bounce back, beauty brands bootstrap their businesses & eTail East comes to Boston

Retail sales in the U.S. bounced back unexpectedly in July, spurred by seasonal promotions and a positive job market. Beauty brands are pivoting to self-funding, seeking government loans as VC funding dwindles. Insights from the eTail East conference highlight the shifting dynamics of retail, especially in embracing profitability. Furthermore, AI's role in e-commerce is dissected, revealing a mix of excitement and skepticism, particularly among Gen Z. Brands are also navigating social media strategies to engage consumers effectively.