TikTok Shop spurs Crocs, Heydude DTC sales

Overall, Crocs finished 2025 with a Q4 that beat expectations, and executives even expect struggling Heydude to return to growth later this year.

Wayfair, Affirm expand partnership to UK and Canada

Shoppers will receive a real-time approval decision when they select the payment company’s BNPL service at checkout. 

Ex-Lululemon chief Calvin McDonald to return to beauty as Wella CEO

The 145-year-old hair care company touted the growth and market share gains that McDonald oversaw at the activewear brand and Sephora.

Estée Lauder sues Walmart over alleged counterfeits

The cosmetics giant says the big-box retailer is permitting the sale of fakes on its marketplace that target brands including La Mer and Tom Ford.

Target to test contextual ads in ChatGPT, including through Roundel

Bringing Roundel brands to ChatGPT suggests retail media networks could be a bridge for larger AI chatbot advertising adoption. 

Saks Global to shutter 9 full-line stores

Saks Fifth Avenue is taking the brunt of the plans, with eight stores on the list. The company told a bankruptcy court further closures may be necessary.

How AI commerce threatens eBay, Amazon

Agentic robots that shop and pay without human involvement could render marketplaces obsolete – and major retailers are responding.

Altar’d State owner bids $7M on Francesca’s IP

Stand Out For Good, which operates the faith-based retailer, has emerged as the stalking horse bidder in Francesca's latest Chapter 11 case.

Nordstrom enlists luxury brands for 125th anniversary celebration

The department store is celebrating the whole year, with activations from the likes of Chanel and Christian Louboutin, limited-edition products and an even bigger Anniversary Sale. 

Walmart’s decade of change with Doug McMillon

The longtime CEO has passed the baton to John Furner, but McMillon’s technology and e-commerce legacy is lasting.

Target names COO, chief merchant

CEO Michael Fiddelke announced his successor to lead operations and is transitioning the retailer to a single chief merchandising officer structure.

American Eagle offers creators rewards to keep content flowing

The AE Creator Community is anchored on a rewards system that incentivizes creators to participate in regular challenges around content sharing. 

The Weekly Closeout: Layoffs jump in January and Walmart hits $1 trillion market cap

Last month was the biggest dip in hiring since the Great Recession. Meanwhile, the big-box retailer reached a milestone. 

Fewer consumers are shopping online on a daily basis

The number of consumers who turn to e-commerce daily has declined 12 percentage points from last year, with in-store shoppers on the rise.

Toys R Us Canada files for creditor protection

The company is evaluating strategic alternatives and reducing its retail footprint as part of a restructuring process. 

Warby Parker taps Macy’s vet as CFO

Adrian Mitchell, who has more than two decades of leadership experience, most recently served as Macy’s chief financial and operating officer.

Target cuts 500 roles, invests in store payroll

The mass retailer, which cut about 1,000 corporate positions last year, is now putting "significantly" more investment into store labor and hours.

Top retail conferences in 2026

These events will cover the topics that are top of mind for executives, including AI, customer behavior and technology.

Brooks Running revenue up 16% in 2025

The retailer posted its ninth consecutive year of growth and took the No. 1 market position in performance running footwear at U.S. specialty retail in Q4. 

Francesca’s files for bankruptcy, again

The retailer, which previously filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy about six years ago under a different owner, has about $30 million in secured debt.

Lulus expands to all Nordstrom stores

The move comes after the fashion brand extended its wholesale presence in Urban Outfitters and Dillard’s.

Anta plots first US flagship

Located in California’s Beverly Hills, the store will serve as Anta’s “brand hub” and comes just days after its parent company bought a stake in Puma.

What to watch in retail in 2026

From the trajectory of the department store segment to the rise of generative AI, here’s what Retail Dive is keeping an eye on this year.

Eddie Bauer files for bankruptcy, begins winding down all stores in the US and Canada

Going-out-of-business sales have begun and, unless the brick-and-mortar operations find a buyer, all 175 locations will close by April 30, per court filings.

Ulta Beauty taps women athletes for marketing push

The retailer teamed up with six athletes for its Ulta Beauty Roster as a way to show the “transformative power of both sport and beauty.”