Visa, Mastercard track roughly 4% US holiday retail sales growth

The 2025 holiday season saw consumers shopping across channels to land the best deals and maximize convenience, according to new reports. 

Run retail run

Over 54,000 runners recently participated in the Chicago Marathon, with some 1.7 million spectators lining the streets. They came to race — and to shop.

Bed Bath & Beyond operating chief out as Marcus Lemonis takes on CEO role

Lemonis outlined a plan that moves the company beyond retail and into insurance, financial tools and “mortgage related solutions.”

Lululemon founder Chip Wilson scuffles with board amid CEO search

The brand says it wants to avoid a proxy fight but that Wilson “declined to engage further” after nominating three people to its board.

Combating the consumer ‘joy deficit’ this season

Prices are high, shoppers are stressed out and anxiety-inducing marketing doesn’t help. Here’s what retailers can do instead.

White House delays furniture tariff increases for a year

The U.S. is pushing back duty increases due to "productive negotiations" with trading partners, keeping the current 25% rate in effect.

Saks Global CEO Marc Metrick exits

Executive Chairman Richard Baker is taking over the top position at the luxury retailer as bankruptcy speculation swirls.

Are secondhand sales beefing up this little retail segment?

Wells Fargo economists suspect that sales of used items helped push sales at “miscellaneous retailers” up more than 8% in the last 10 months.

Returns expected to spike in the new year

Compared to earlier in the holiday season, returns will rise by up to 15% in the first two weeks of this month, according to Adobe Analytics.

Pat McGrath Labs seeks a buyer

Bids are due to Hilco Global by Jan. 26, with a public auction for the beauty brand’s assets to be held on Jan. 27. 

Most consumers interacted with AI customer service during holiday shopping

Consumers’ response to AI and automation is largely positive, but a majority still say humans provide better support, a Liveops survey found.

Is surveillance pricing ripping off loyal customers?

If customers thought “that loyalty data were being consumed for that purpose, they would opt out of loyalty,” said Brierley loyalty consultant Don Smith.

Lovesac reshores key manufacturing process

The direct-to-consumer furniture retailer plans to start domestic production of core inserts for its primary product line.

Deal to sell 120 J.C. Penney stores for $950M falls through

When it was announced in July, the deal to private equity firm Onyx Partners faced questions from investors over the selling price.

Saks Global doesn’t rule out bankruptcy

The department store conglomerate says it’s “exploring all potential paths” toward stability but insists the luxury market is strong.

Mattel brings on vet from Netflix, Disney

Natalia Premovic was named chief consumer products and experiences officer as the toy company draws on its IP for new projects.

Zales debuts next-gen retail concept, The Edit

The locations feature customization areas, consultations and a digital companion tool that connects customers to the jewelry brand’s full in-store assortment.

Dollar Shave Club’s first AI-generated ad makes tech the punchline

The brand and partner Too Short for Modeling leveraged AI to animate complex visuals while keeping to a development timeline of just a few weeks.

Target beats drum on value beyond pricing

The retailer is working to "prioritize value perception" with a balance of merchandising newness and affordability, according to Jefferies analysts.

Lululemon to enter 6 new markets in 2026

The athletics retailer is expanding its international presence as it executes on a turnaround plan, which includes finding its next leader.

Coty taps Procter & Gamble vet as executive chair, interim CEO

Markus Strobel’s appointment comes days after the beauty giant sold its remaining stake in hair care brand Wella for $750 million.

Instacart to pay $60M in settlement of FTC lawsuit

The agency alleged that the company misled consumers over delivery promotion fees, made it hard to initiate refunds and did not fully disclose Instacart+ membership trial terms.

As it enters the ‘middle innings’ of a turnaround, Nike’s path is far from smooth

Performance in North America buoyed the brand in Q2, but one analyst called its position in China “particularly dire.”

The Honest Company to halt DTC sales, shutter mobile app

The change is part of the company’s turnaround plan, which also includes exiting apparel and closing brick-and-mortar and online stores in Canada.

Pacsun opens first US stores in nearly 20 years as foot traffic picks up

The apparel retailer, which is also expanding abroad for the first time next year, sees its physical locations as “cultural touchpoints.”