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The news: Skims, the shapewear brand founded by Kim Kardashian, is on an expansion tear as it nears $1 billion in annual sales, per Business of Fashion. The company plans to open 16 stores in the US this year, bringing its total domestic footprint to 22. Over the next nine months, Skims expects to establish itself in seven new markets—including stores in Mexico, London, and Dubai. Our take: While stores are hugely important to Skims’ growth, the company has several advantages over the rest of the D2C field. Unlike most other D2C companies, Skims doesn’t need to rely on its stores as billboards given its high-profile founder, who is also a fixture of its ad campaigns. Its partnership with Nike will give it access to an even larger audience and smooth its entry into the athleisure category—assuming production delays don’t get in the way. The launch will also considerably increase Skims’ retail presence without needing to invest in premium real estate.

Nvidia woos global AI partners, HP shifts output to Mexico and Vietnam, and Lenovo pivots to India—clear signs that risk mitigation now outweighs China’s diminishing cost advantage.

"Retail media could have a key role to continue driving growth for advertisers which sell products through retail," said Jonathan Fasano, business development director at Walmart Connect Mexico and Central America, during a recent Ä¢¹½AV Summit on commerce media.

Constellation Brands imports all of its beer from Mexico: That puts the Modelo parent in a challenging position in wake of US tariffs on imported canned beer and empty aluminum cans.

Mercado Libre will grow its headcount by 33% this year to solidify Latin America ecommerce dominance: The company looks to strengthen its business in Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina—its three largest markets.