The Latest

  • A lululemon logo displayed through a window as people walk by.
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    5 of the biggest retail horror stories of 2026

    From Nike’s turnaround setbacks to Chip Wilson’s battle with Lululemon, the spookiest sights weren’t found on retailers’ shelves this year.

  • Businesswoman interacting with AI chatbot on tablet in modern office
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    FG Trade via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Glance

    Agentic commerce: The infrastructure is ready for AI agents. Is your store?

    With the holidays approaching, check these signals to assess your AI readiness (and check it twice).

  • People and a dog going into a clothing store.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Gap Inc. launches AI hiring tool in time for the holidays

    The retailer expects around 200,000 seasonal employment applications. Its new AI platform aims to reduce the administrative tasks associated with hiring. 

  • Person laying back on a couch with a computer and a credit card shopping.
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    Getty Images
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    Most consumers aren’t using AI for product discovery, yet

    Retailers should consider the quality of their metadata to prepare for a predicted upswing in AI usage, new research finds.

  • A person walks past a shoe store.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Could this running brand rescue Vans owner VF Corp?

    The Altra footwear brand’s revenue grew 40% in Q2 and is on pace to offset ongoing declines at the company’s faltering skater brand.

    DTC
  • Image of Lord of the Rings Tales of Middle Earth art from Magic the Gathering.
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    Courtesy of Hasbro
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    Hasbro names third Wizards of the Coast president in under 5 years

    Dan Ayoub, who now leads Wizards and Hasbro Digital Games, has been playing D&D with the same group of friends since he was 10 years old. 

  • A Dollar General sign and brick storefront on a cloudy day with the company's signature black on yellow logo
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    Permission granted by Dollar General
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    Dollar General sued by FTC over ‘deceptive pricing practices’

    The agency, along with 20 states, allege that customers are charged more at the register than prices displayed on tags and in ads.

    Updated Oct. 27, 2026
  • Actor Walton Goggins portrays Ebeneezer Scrooge in a dark scene where he is haunted by the ghosts of Muppets Statler and Waldorf.
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    Permission granted by Walmart
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    Walmart’s chief marketer breaks down retailer’s Muppet-fueled holiday campaign

    For a unified push during the holidays, the retailer is recreating the world of “The Muppet Christmas Carol” and extending its “Who Knew?” brand platform.

  • People walking down the street in New York City.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Aritzia banks on store openings, product expansions to double revenue in 5 years

    The company plans to open as many as 14 U.S. stores a year and expand into bags, beauty and shoes on its path to becoming “world famous.”

  • Actor Seth Rogen, wearing a taupe overshirt, shows a pimple patch stuck to his left pointer finger while standing in a Sephora store.
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    Retrieved from Sephora on October 27, 2026
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    Sephora casts Seth Rogen for holiday ads targeted at gift-givers

    “The Studio” star plays a clueless shopper in a campaign aimed at consumers who aren’t in-the-know about beauty but are seeking thoughtful presents.

  • A giant building with giant letters with the name Etsy on it.
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Etsy CEO addresses friction of AI vs. human creativity

    The e-commerce marketplace saw active buyers in Q3 grow for the first time in two years and is utilizing AI to improve product recommendations.

  • A Jos A Bank store in Peachtree City, Georgia
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    Courtesy of Tailored Brands
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    Jos. A. Bank puts customer experience at the center of new store concept

    The menswear retailer’s new space, which was developed using customer insights, features an area for consultations, fittings and personalized service.

  • A room with wood furniture and decorationslike a painting and a vase of branches.
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    Courtesy of Target
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    Target overhauls Threshold home goods brand

    The $3 billion private label has improved quality, merchandising and, in some cases, prices, and added more than 800 items to the assortment.

  • People walking past a city department store building.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    These 3 department stores need a good holiday

    Kohl’s, J.C. Penney and — once again— Saks Fifth Avenue have a lot riding on this year’s shopping season.

  • Two people wearing sports fan apparel.
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    Courtesy of Target
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    Target spruces up SoHo store, fan shops ahead of the holidays

    In both cases, a localized presentation is key to what the retailer calls its “merchandising authority.”

  • A person with white hair shopping for red and green holiday decorations in store
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    Courtesy of Walmart
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    Walmart debuts longer Black Friday, Cyber Monday sales events

    The mass retailer's deal events will total 14 days this season, compared to 10 in 2025.

  • Partners in Crime bookstore in Chicago
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    Kaarin Moore/Retail Dive
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    Genre bookstores are having a moment — especially in Chicago

    From romance to horror, genre readers are done settling for just a few shelves. Now they are coming for the entire store. 

  • Banana Republic cover art for its "The Agency" social media content series.
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    Courtesy of Banana Republic
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    Banana Republic debuts TikTok content series in bid for younger shoppers

    The effort spotlights various styles and arrives as parent Gap Inc. continues to emphasize entertainment marketing.

  • A collection of toys at CVS
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    Courtesy of CFS Pharmacy
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    CVS wants to sell more Pokémon, collectibles

    The pharmacy retailer is expanding its assortment of toys and collectibles as adults fuel growth in those segments. 

  • Belk storefront.
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    Kaarin Moore/Retail Dive
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    Column

    The Weekly Closeout: Torrid CFO exits and Belk secures financing

    Paula Dempsey will leave the apparel retailer next month. The department store, meanwhile, will use some of its new funds for seasonal inventory.

  • The outside of the Macy's store in Herald Square in NYC during the holidays.
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    Kaarin Moore/Retail Dive
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    Macy’s revamps Santaland, brings back Holiday Square

    The department store is leaning into the festive season at its Herald Square flagship in New York with a variety of activations.

  • Bath & Body Works Feel Good concept store
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    Courtesy of Bath & Body Works
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    Bath & Body Works introduces new store concept

    The Feel Good concept is now open in Charlotte, North Carolina, and features easy navigation and enhanced testing experiences.

  • A yellow room outfitted with yoga mats, with "take a second and breathe" on the wall.
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    Courtesy of Beyond Yoga
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    Beyond Yoga aims to have ‘many’ stores. They’ll probably be yellow.

    CEO Nancy Green says the brand color is reflective of a broader focus on joy — and making progress over perfection.

  • A person sits outside in the corner of a big store window looking at a mobile phone.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Lululemon adds former product chief to board

    Tara Poseley, who led product at the athletics retailer from 2013 to 2015, is joining the board as part of the company’s agreement with founder Chip Wilson.

  • A corporate building in San Francisco.
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    Heather Diehl via Getty Images
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    Levi’s distribution network transition saga continues to drag

    Due to a facility fire during Q3 and the complexity of its SKU mix, the retailer doesn't expect to see benefits from its overhaul until 2027.

  • People walking around a store that is decorated for the winter holidays.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Shoppers expect less for more this holiday season. That could mean a sales decline.

    Some of the latest projections suggest spending could drop, but even those that predict growth recognize consumers are pressured.