How Target is rethinking search for generative AI

While most shoppers are still using one or two keywords for a traditional online search, longer, more complex queries are on the rise.

AI shopping tools are evolving, but are they ready for the holidays?

Most consumers are open to generative AI-powered guidance, but only 3% will start their shopping journey with a ChatGPT-type search, according to Coveo.

Best Buy builds retail media chops with in-store takeovers, sports deals

The retailer touted the strength of its advertising services for brand partners during its inaugural Best Buy Ads showcase.

Retailers battle the rising costs of medical, liability claims

Second quarter earnings results across the industry showed that heightened claims costs are impacting even the strongest performers.

Claire’s acquisition closes with plans for smaller store footprint

Ames Watson wants to keep the piercing retailer's mall locations relevant through upgraded merchandising, piercing services and store concepts.

Macy’s kicks off ‘100 Days to Christmas’ with new merchandise, curated gift ideas

The department store, which said its holiday assortment features more than 40% newness, will also expand its experiential Holiday Square concept.

The holidays should be OK for retailers that try hard enough

Sustaining robust sales growth into Q4 will mean sharp vendor negotiations — and a keen understanding of the customer, analysts say.

Dallas-area Neiman Marcus store will close after next year

Owner Saks Global continues the renovation of the Neiman Marcus NorthPark anchor and a “potential reimagination” of the downtown store.

Amazon taps agentic AI to help sellers manage inventory, shipments

An enhanced version of the e-commerce giant’s Seller Assistant tool can flag slow-moving products, product safety violations and compliance requirements.

No US stores in Forever 21’s comeback plans

The fast-fashion brand, whose U.S. operator went bankrupt this year, has inked three new partnerships for its e-commerce and wholesale businesses.

J.C. Penney operator names chief wholesale and business development officer

Catalyst Brands has tapped Michael Fernandez, who previously worked at The Levy Group and Perry Ellis International, for the position.

Gap Inc. teams up with Klarna on flexible payments

The apparel retailer is offering Klarna’s payment services to U.S. shoppers across its portfolio of brands, including Old Navy and Athleta. 

Amazon adds Walmart, Shopify, Shein to Multi-Channel Fulfillment coverage

The announcement is one of several logistics and fulfillment upgrades for sellers the e-commerce giant revealed Thursday.

Love Your Melon to relaunch after founder reacquires brand

Zachary Quinn bought back the company, known for its beanie caps, that Win Brands Group acquired in 2022.

Macy’s bets on automation to drive retail revival

The retailer is moving workloads to the cloud, simplifying IT operations and adding AI to processes, executives said during an industry conference.

Back to school, inflation help drive August retail sales up 5.5%

Promotional events last month also sent shoppers online, as e-commerce surged more than 8% year over year.

Updated Sept. 16, 2025

Rent the Runway says its CX efforts are paying off. The financials aren’t as rosy.

The clothing rental company saw active subscriber growth and improved NPS, but reported a net loss of $26.4 million and increased prices for subscriptions.

What Gap Inc. beauty, accessories hires say about its ambitions

The four executives and advisers announced Wednesday are among the top merchants and designers in these categories.

How the retail sector teams up to defend against cybercrime

The cyberthreat intel-sharing and collaboration group RH-ISAC is helping companies confront cyberattacks. But the challenge is delivering timely intelligence in a dynamic threat environment.

Kirkland’s to convert all stores to Bed Bath & Beyond, pivot to wholesale

The home retailer will rebrand about 250 to 275 of its current locations, close the rest and open more in traditional Bed Bath & Beyond markets.

Holiday retail sales projected to grow 4%, below 10-year average

While in-store sales are expected to grow 2.75% from last year, e-commerce sales growth is slowing, according to a recent report from Bain & Company.

Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days event returns in October

The sale, which marks the company’s kickoff to the holiday shopping season, is scheduled for Oct. 7 and Oct. 8. 

Journeys remixes ’90s hit for debut of ‘Life on Loud’ brand platform

A reimagining of New Radicals’ “You Get What You Give” includes a music video nodding to renewed interest in mall culture among Gen Z.

Pinterest brings ‘where-to-buy’ links to image ads

Available to U.S. advertisers in the coming weeks, the platform found the links drove higher user engagement compared to other campaigns.

What it takes for a mall to be ‘evergreen’

Do enclosed mid-tier malls need expensive renovations — or do they just have to be good enough?