The Latest

  • Several people walk pass an Under Armour store.
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    Photo illustration: Industry Dive; Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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    Column

    SKU’d: Will 2023 be the year Under Armour realizes that women exist (and have money)?

    With a female CEO at the helm, the brand says it's prioritizing women. But its biggest design hire is famous for menswear.

  • Family opening Christmas presents together
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    Shutterstock.com

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    Sponsored by Vericast

    Returning to traditional warmth: 7 pivotal trends impacting this year’s holiday season

    Vericast’s 2023 Retail TrendWatch, “A Joyful Return to the Holiday Spirit,” reveals a renewed appetite for traditions of old.

  • Redken products backstage at the Bondi Bather show on May 19, 2016 in Sydney, Australia.
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    Mark Nolan via Getty Images
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    Redken launches DTC website

    While products have been available for sale in local salons, Amazon and Ulta, the site allows consumers to buy items directly from the brand online.

  • The Federal Trade Commission headquarters is pictured in Washington, D.C. The agency's proposed noncompete ban may face legal challenges on several grounds.
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    RiverNorthPhotography via Getty Images
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    FTC names Amazon execs in ‘dark patterns’ complaint

    The agency also revealed details from previously redacted internal messages from the e-retailer’s employees, warning leadership of unfair practices.

  • The inside of an apparel store, with clothes hanging on a rack underneath a sign that reads "Toad Again."
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    How Toad & Co. is making online resale work

    The brand, which controls its own processing and is choosy about what it accepts, so far is turning a profit on the zooming side gig.

    DTC
  • Grouping of pumpkins.
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    olcayduzgun via Getty Images
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    Halloween spending to reach $12.2B this year: NRF

    Consumers once again plan to spend a record amount on Halloween as participation in the holiday is projected to surpass pre-pandemic levels.

  • Person walking their dog outside of Walmart's Pet Services center.
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    Courtesy of Walmart
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    Walmart leans into pet care with first Pet Services Center

    A Georgia store is piloting the concept, and the retailer aims to expand it over time. The center offers a variety of grooming and veterinary services.

  • chamberlain coffee
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    Courtesy of Chamberlain Coffee
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    How Chamberlain Coffee aims for broad appeal while catering to Gen Z

    The viral brand said qualities like sustainability are desired in beverages from consumers across generations.

  • A collection of skincare products in blue containers, as part of E.l.f. Beauty's Holy Hydration skincare line.
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    Courtesy of E.l.f. Skin
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    E.l.f. Beauty reformulated over 300 SKUs in FY2023

    The beauty company's latest impact report revealed new sustainability goals, such as further improving its packaging. 

    DTC
  • Person hands two blue bags to person at the front door of a residence.
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    Courtesy of Walmart
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    Walmart wants employees to make more last-mile deliveries

    The number of deliveries currently made by company associates is small compared to what's handled by independent contractors.

  • A customer pays for a purchase with a mobile device
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    Creative via Getty Images
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    Small businesses embrace digital payments

    Small business owners envision a cashless future, according to Visa, even as some legislators move to protect unbanked and underbanked consumers.

  • Two Meta avatars posing for the DressX x Diesel collection.
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    Courtesy of DressX, Diesel
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    Diesel partners with DressX on collection for Meta Avatars

    The digital wearables are available through the Instagram, Facebook, Messenger and Quest VR online stores.

  • Amazon's office at Lord & Taylor's former building in New York City
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    Courtesy of Amazon
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    Column

    The Weekly Closeout: Amazon moves into former Lord & Taylor building, Belk celebrates 135 years

    The e-commerce giant took over the New York City space previously occupied by the department store, while Belk plans a party in honor of its first location.

  • Amazon truck loaded for Prime Day.
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    Courtesy of Amazon
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    Amazon to hire 250,000 people for the holidays

    That amounts to 100,000 more seasonal employees than the e-commerce giant planned to bring on last holiday season.

  • A person doing a squat while holding weights and following an instructional Peloton video, with the exercise brand's Peloton Bike also in view.
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    Permission granted by Peloton
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    Could Peloton’s brand refresh mark the start of its comeback?

    Director of Marketing Oli Snoddy details how the embattled exercise brand is leveraging real users to broaden its reach and grow its app. 

  • An "H&M" sign with red letters juts out from a building against a dramatic blue sky.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    H&M will expand return fees for online orders

    The fast-fashion retailer has begun charging customers in the U.S., U.K. and most of Europe, unless they belong to its free loyalty program.

  • U.S. Postal Service workers scan parcels at the Los Angeles Processing and Distribution Center on December 11, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
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    David McNew/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    US Postal Service won’t levy peak surcharges this holiday season

    Agency officials credited more workers moving into career positions and network investments as to why the added fees are no longer needed.

  • A quotation mark on a blue background.
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    Kendall Davis/Retail Dive
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    Podcast

    The Backroom: A look back on the first half of 2023 for DTC brands

    The team talks about the latest financial results from various players as the holidays quickly approach.

  • Image rendering of Melissa & Doug's first retails tore featuring a parent and child in jackets and a light blue storefront sign
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    Courtesy of Melissa & Doug
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    Toy brand Melissa & Doug plans first store

    The company is opening its 1,600-square-foot brick-and-mortar location just in time for the holiday season. 

    DTC
  • Three rows of APL shoes in a variety of colors on a neutral background.
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    Courtesy of Athletic Propulsion Labs
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    Athletic footwear brand APL’s fit tech leads to reduced returns

    The luxury sneaker company’s partnership with True Fit has slashed fit-related returns by 15%.

  • Walmart Cummins CNG natural gas
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    Provided by Walmart. 

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    Walmart, Target follow Amazon with early start to holiday sales

    Consumer electronics retailer Best Buy has also stepped up, with deals set to start several weeks ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

  • The HanesBrands headquarters in North Carolina is pictured.
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    Courtesy of HanesBrands
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    Hanes evaluating options for its Champion business

    After signing a recent license agreement with G-III, HanesBrands is now weighing additional strategies for the brand, including a potential sale.

  • Amazon's tech at work at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.
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    Courtesy of Amazon
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    Amazon adds RFID to cashierless tech to support apparel purchases

    The new capability enables cashierless shopping for softline goods like clothing, fan gear, hats and shoes.

  • A man in a blue uniform and yellow hard hat removes a package from a shelf.
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    Andreas Rentz via Getty Images
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    Ikea expands on sustainability initiatives with 2 clean energy projects

    The home furnishings retailer is installing solar power, and renewable heating and cooling, in multiple locations across the United States.

  • A bottle of Ritual's melatonin capsules.
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    Courtesy of Ritual
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    Expanding its assortment, Ritual launches melatonin capsule

    The product is now available on the DTC supplement brand’s website and will be offered on Amazon in early October.

  • An Amazon Prime delivery truck
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    Courtesy of Amazon
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    Amazon confirms dates for Prime Big Deal Days

    The retailer is positioning the October sale as a way for consumers to get deals earlier than the traditional start of the season on Black Friday.