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

The global business landscape on February 17, 2026, is being reshaped by significant strategic moves in the shipping industry, persistent economic pressures on the retail sector, and a volatile international trade environment. Today's leading stories highlight three dominant themes: industry consolidation and restructuring, economic uncertainty and policy volatility, and geopolitical realignment in global trade.

Key developments include Hapag-Lloyd's landmark $4.2 billion acquisition of Zim, which signals a new wave of consolidation in maritime logistics. In the retail sector, businesses continue to grapple with the effects of inflation and shifting consumer behavior, leading to store closures and strategic repositioning. Meanwhile, international trade is marked by ongoing turbulence in US tariff policy and the formation of new strategic alliances, such as Canada's move to become a key supplier for Europe. 

•     Hapag-Lloyd Acquires Zim in $4.2 Billion Megadeal

•        Carriers Anticipate Pricing Power in 2026 Amid Cautious Optimism

•        US Manufacturing Pipeline Grows with Over $1B in New Factory Investments

•        Weak Freight Demand Continues to Trigger Facility Closures and Layoffs

•        UPS Faces Legal Challenge from Teamsters Over Driver Buyout Packages

•        New York City's Renewed Push for Last-Mile Delivery Licensing Raises Industry Questions

•        Medlog Opens Major Integrated Logistics Park in Saudi Arabia

•        AIT Worldwide Logistics Acquired by Greenbriar Equity Group

•        Trade Organization Warns USMCA Exit Could Jeopardize Millions of US Jobs

•     Amazon Plans New 225,000-Square-Foot Mega-Store in Chicago Suburb

•        e.l.f. Beauty Acquires Hailey Bieber's rhode to Target Gen Z Market

•        Canadian Retailer Aritzia Plans Major Expansion in the US

•        Detroit's Big Three Automakers Take ~$50 Billion Write-down on EV Investments

•        Wendy's to Close Hundreds of Underperforming Stores

•        Chocolate Prices Surge 14% Ahead of Valentine's Day

•        Albertsons Joins ChatGPT's Ad Pilot Program

•        Target Holds Firm on Store Pay Structure Amid Layoffs

•        US Inflation Shows Signs of Easing, Falling to 2.5% YoY

•        Steak 'n Shake to Remove All Microwaves from Kitchens by April

•      Canada Pitches Itself as Europe's 'Supplier of Choice' Amid US-EU Rift

•        Bipartisan Consensus Grows Against Trump's Import Tariffs

•        US Carmakers Concerned as Chinese Rivals Gain Foothold in American Market

•        Analysts Suggest China Could Win Geopolitical Game by Default Amid US Policy Shifts

•        Pentagon Concludes Alibaba and BYD Have Links to Chinese Military

•        TSMC's US Investment at the Center of a $250bn Chip Sector Puzzle

•        Trump Administration Plans to Roll Back Tariffs on Metal and Aluminum

•        Singapore Warns of Global 'Fragility' Impacting its Economy

•        US and Taiwan Sign Trade Agreement to Secure Chip Investment

•        UK Government Shelves £110mn Post-Brexit Border Project

•        France and India Near Completion of $35 Billion Rafale Fighter Jet Deal

•        Fund Managers Take Most Bearish Stance on US Dollar in a Decade

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