Here are the top stories shaping the world of commerce today. For deeper analysis, data, and strategic insights, upgrade to our Premium Digest.

Today's global business landscape is marked by significant strategic manoeuvres in the supply chain sector, with Hapag-Lloyd's potential acquisition of Zim signalling a major consolidation in shipping. The retail industry is grappling with inflationary pressures, as evidenced by surging chocolate prices, while also exploring new frontiers in AI-powered advertising and customer engagement. In international trade, the US-China relationship remains a focal point, with American carmakers expressing concerns over Chinese competition and the US government identifying Chinese tech giants Alibaba and BYD as having links to the Chinese military. Meanwhile, a potential rollback of US tariffs on metals and a new US-Taiwan trade agreement suggest a dynamic and evolving trade policy environment.

•        Hapag-Lloyd in talks to acquire Zim for $3.5 billion

•        Freight market shows signs of potential breakout

•        Intermodal spot rates yet to catch up with trucking surge

•        Mexico's heavy-duty truck exports to U.S. plummet 54% in January

•        GXO Logistics expects stable North American freight demand

•        Covenant Logistics reports Q4 loss

•        FedEx, UPS closing hundreds of locations amid rising shipping prices

•        White House considers fee on foreign-built vessels

•        Congress to combat "chameleon carriers" with AI

•        Trump administration reassessing steel and aluminium tariffs

•        Global container prices continue to decline

•       Chocolate prices surge 14% ahead of Valentine's Day

•        US inflation shows signs of slowing

•        Albertsons joins ChatGPT ad pilot program

•        Amazon's Ring ends partnership with police tech company

•        Steak 'n Shake to remove microwaves from all kitchens

•        Top consumer themes for 2026: Escapism, trend fatigue, self-preservation

•        Donation requests at checkout: Stress or benefit?

•        Halloween: A year-round retail opportunity?

•        Mattel vs Hasbro: The battle for toy supremacy

•        AI-embellished resumes: A new challenge for retail hiring

•        Robots in beauty retailing: Rejuvenation or ruin?

•        Tech in QSR: Reducing or increasing friction?

•        Amazon's biggest threat: Retailer AI vs. horizontal AI

•        Di Bruno Bros. to close over half of its stores

•       US carmakers concerned by Chinese rivals' US foothold

•        US identifies Alibaba, BYD as linked to Chinese military

•        China's potential "geopolitical win by default"

•        Trump administration to roll back metal and aluminum tariffs

•        US and Taiwan sign trade agreement

•        TSMC's US investment: A $250bn puzzle

•        European banking M&A surges to post-2008 high

•        UK's "Global Britain" strategy: The India trade pact

•        Weak US dollar unlikely to trigger central bank action

•        Singapore warns of global "fragility" impacting its economy

•        China pushes domestic demand amid global trade uncertainty

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