The Weekly Closeout: Lululemon links up with the NFL, Parade shuts down

The activewear brand is launching an apparel collection tied to the league’s teams, while the intimates brand abruptly ceased operations after six years.

Adidas CEO praises local strategy as sales reach record high

Efforts in China and the U.S. are gaining attention as the activewear brand leans into local trends and sports. 

J.C. Penney, iHeartRadio partner on holiday collection

The move is part of the department store’s broader plans for the season, which also include special 24-hour deals throughout November.

The Backroom: Halloween casts a spell over retail

The creepy-crawly event has grown into a monthslong celebration and a $13 billion business. But is it a harbinger for the holidays?

Etsy CEO to step down after nearly 9 years at the helm

Former Depop chief Kruti Patel Goyal will replace Josh Silverman on Jan. 1, an announcement that came with Q3 results that beat expectations.

Nordstrom relaunches holiday catalog

The department store will host more than 1,500 events this year and will also have Santa Claus at all of its locations for the first time.

How skeletons transcended Halloween

Once a standard spooky time decoration, these figurines now play sports, walk their dogs and otherwise hold court in yards year-round.

Walmart balances whimsy with value in Dr. Seuss-inspired holiday ads

Spots taking place in a town called WhoKnewVille reinforce a messaging platform that challenges consumer perceptions around the retailer’s image.

Why this manufacturer isn’t crumbling under tariff pressure

Cookie-cutter maker Ann Clark shifted to in-house production more than two decades ago and sources most inputs domestically.

Pinterest rolls out AI-powered personalization features

The updates will turn the platform “into a personal shopping assistant” led by the technology, according to executives. 

Amazon to cut 14K roles in effort to stay ‘nimble’

The company is betting AI will change its workforce needs and leaning into job cuts as a way to simplify its organizational structure.

Retailers enter a generative AI feedback loop

The industry is turning to AI to better understand the technology itself, all with the hope of capturing consumer attention.

Wayfair invests in AI to power its customer experience push

The retailer is using the technology in its product image carousels, search engine and contact center operations.

Carter’s to lay off 300, close more stores as tariffs decimate profits

The children’s apparel retailer, already chasing profitability before new import duties, will close 150 locations in North America over the next three years.

A tale of 3 small businesses: How they changed packaging to mitigate tariffs

A Shark Tank startup, skin care brand and local retailer share their stories of navigating changes with packaging suppliers.

Puma taps long-time Nike vet to head global retail

Ronald Reijmers also comes with senior leadership experience at Adidas and Gymshark, and will oversee Puma’s full-price and outlet stores globally.

Gymshark signs Dick’s Sporting Goods as first US wholesale partner

The U.K.-based athletic brand is now available at 12 of the retailer’s House of Sport stores. 

The Weekly Closeout: Amazon hikes fulfillment fees and retailers list AI as a risk factor

The e-commerce giant will increase fees for third-party sellers next year and a growing number of retailers are pointing to AI concerns in their 10-Ks.

State AI rules trigger rising small business angst

Nearly two-thirds of survey respondents said they were worried about potential compliance and litigation costs related to state laws on privacy, AI and technology.

Wayfair CEO says tariffs have yet to impact shopper behavior

Aside from a "short-lived" pull forward of certain purchases, the home retailer said it hasn't seen substantial changes to customers’ habits.

More pressure for US consumers as most states warn food assistance could dry up next month

Grocery stores will be directly affected, but discretionary spending will also take a hit if consumers can’t feed their families, analysts warned this week.

True Religion targets women, college sports fans in holiday campaign

The brand doubles down on the growing intersection of fashion and sports in its first holiday campaign since being acquired earlier this year.

Walmart debuts 2 Black Friday events

The mass retailer will hold multiple deals events in November as it markets its value to price-weary consumers.

Target needs a win. Will the holidays deliver?

The retailer is emphasizing exclusive merchandising and affordability this season as part of a long-term effort to regain growth.

At Home exits bankruptcy with nearly $2B in debt eliminated, most stores open

The furniture retailer is now owned by a group of lenders, which is providing $500 million in new financing to support a turnaround.