Good morning, CFOs. Retailers aim to slow down the shopping experience; U.S. trade deficit collapsed in April; Musk-Trump feud batters Tesla stock; plus, our weekly highlights.

Retailers are trying to slow down the shopping experience, adding amenities like VIP lounges and cafes, in hopes that customers linger and buy more coats, bags and other merchandise in-store.

While some retailers prioritize speedy in-store visits for time-constrained customers, others want shoppers to hang around and relax, with companies from Canada Goose to Coach owner Tapestry and outlet and open-air shopping center giant Tanger investing in store ambience in a bid to get consumers to stick around and buy more. The idea is that leisurely shopping translates into higher spending, and brands have been investing in the retail atmosphere for decades in an attempt to keep their shoppers shopping.

“Postpandemic, we have definitely seen a shift where, when consumers decide to shop in-store, they are expecting an experience,” said Grant Gustafson, head of retail consulting and analytics at Sensormatic Solutions, a retail technology firm that tracks traffic in stores. Once there, certain comforts can mean more sales.

✏️ Do you think retailers' investments in enhancing their spaces and shopping experiences for consumers will result in higher traffic and sales? Join the conversation.

📈 Economic Indicators

The BLS releases the jobs report for May.

The U.S. trade deficit collapsed in April, as tariffs took a huge bite out of imports.

The trade deficit narrowed to a seasonally adjusted $61.6 billion in April, the Commerce Department reported on Thursday, its lowest level since September 2023. That was down sharply from the record $138.3 billion it hit in March, when businesses were racing to bring in imports before the “Liberation Day” tariffs that President Trump imposed April 2.

In dollars, the drop was the largest monthly change in the goods and services deficit in data back to 1992. By percentage, the 55% drop was second only to a 59% decrease recorded in February 1992.

• Live Q&A: Deficit, Debt and Markets—We Answer Your Biggest Questions
• Trump Says He Discussed Trade, Rare Earths in Call With Xi
• When Does the National Debt Become Genuinely Bad? [Video]

📰 Other headlines

• The Trump-Musk Relationship Ruptures in Real Time
• Crypto Firm Circle’s Shares Soar in Stock Market Debut
• Companies Quietly Water Down Climate Claims in Latest Investor Reports
• Broadcom Sales Climb on Booming AI Demand
• Labor-Market Outlook Cautious Ahead of May Jobs Report
• OpenAI Says Significant Number of Recent ChatGPT Misuses Likely Came From China
• Apple’s Growing List of Problems Clouds AI Reboot
• Supreme Court Makes It Easier to Pursue Reverse Discrimination Claims
• Why U.S. Apparel Brands Are Becoming Tough Customers

• Morgan Stanley has built its own AI tool to help modernize its legacy code—something it says existing tools on the market still struggle with.
• After last year’s relative calm, U.S. companies are now dealing with rising logistics costs, supply-chain upheaval and uncertain consumer demand.
• Climate startups are feeling the impact of President Trump’s attacks on the energy-transition sector, as funding and job cuts, operational halts and bankruptcies rack up.
• Private equity is feeling the heat as buyout fund backers look for cash returns while firms hold tens of thousands of unsold companies.

The Wall Street Journal's CFO Journal offers corporate leaders and professionals CFO analysis, advice and commentary to make informed decisions. We cover topics including corporate tax, accounting, regulation, capital markets, management and strategy.

Follow us on X @WSJCFO. The WSJ CFO Journal Team comprises reporters Kristin Broughton, Mark Maurer and Jennifer Williams, and Bureau Chief Walden Siew.

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