US retail sales grew 0.5% in May from the previous month and April sales were revised upward to 0.3% growth, according to the Commerce Department. May sales were up 3.2% from the same month last year, with increases in 11 of 13 categories including e-commerce, appliances and electronics, sporting goods and books.

Kroger will hold its annual Wellness Your Way festival in Cincinnati this October, and will also expand it to Denver in August. "This festival embodies our purpose, vision, mission and really everything that we're trying to do as a grocer and health care provider across the country," said Kroger Health President Colleen Lindholz.

Walmart has signed a deal with US Solar to subscribe to 36 community solar gardens in Minnesota. Last year, Walmart partnered with SunPower to install solar panels at two distribution centers and 19 stores in Illinois.

True Botanicals, Davines and Ursa Major are among beauty brands bringing clean ingredients to shampoo. "The clean hair care market is underdeveloped compared to skincare, makeup, and even fragrance," says Michelle Connelly of Credo Beauty.

MAC Cosmetics Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo, It Cosmetics Brow Power and L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara are among beauty products recommended by women executives when preparing for meetings or presentations. "When my makeup and skin look good, I feel confident," says Marianna Hewitt, founder of skin care line Summer Fridays.

L'Occitane en Provence-backed LimeLife by Alcone has introduced a monthly subscription box, which it expects to appeal to its network of peer-to-peer sellers. The boxes are themed and deliver one full-size item and at least two travel-sized products each month for $38.

One emerging trend in retail is the practice of several digital brands sharing space for a limited time. The arrangement helps landlords fill space and allows tenants to test out a location without an expensive investment.

Millennial shoppers and mothers are the driving force behind the clean-label movement, said Clean Label Project's Jaclyn Bowen, with product descriptions like "organic," "natural" and "free from" having the highest demand. Retailers including Kroger, H.E. Butt Grocery and ShopRite have added clean products to their private label lines, while small CPG companies are also putting out products to meet the demand.