Italy, the political situation, its widening spread and the increasingly tense relationship with the EU are as topical as Brexit, these days.

Our Acuris Studios editor, Matt O'Brien, takes a look at how consumers will impact the next distressed corporate debt cycle in our latest blog.

• European retail sector has fared well compared to other sectors in spite of uncertainty
• Matalan and House of Fraser have reported positive results amid post-Brexit challenges
• However dark clouds still remain on the horizon as consumers get ever more stretched

Stefan Schwertel, Senior Retail Expert of PwC, discussed with us exactly how the German retail market is changing, as well as what the future may hold in this industry that is now so heavily influenced by the online world.

Jon Berke, Editor of Debtwire Middle Market North America, hosts an Olympic-themed edition of the Middle Market Junction podcast. 

Lowenstein Sandler Partner Ken Rosen, who leads the firm’s Bankruptcy, Financial Reorganization & Creditors' Rights Department, talks with Debtwire Legal Analyst Joshua Friedman about recent developments in retail bankruptcies and restructurings.

Reshmi Basu, Associate Editor covering retail, and Josh Friedman, legal analyst, join the podcast to take us through the Claire's Stores situation.

A roundtable discussion of the potential legal actions that could be forthcoming in the Chapter 11 filings of Aeropostale and Vestis Retail Group.

Listen to April's edition of the Middle Market Junction podcast.

Spotlight on Toys "R" Us and Navios Maritime Acquisition Corp.

Listen to March's edition of the Middle Market Junction podcast.