Consumer Trends


  • A closeup photo of clothing including jean jackets, hanging on a rack.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    US resale market expected to surpass $78B by 2030

    The U.S. secondhand market last year grew nearly four times faster than the broader retail clothing market, according to ThredUp’s latest report.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • April 3, 2026
  • A display of Converse sneakers in a window of a store.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Column

    The Weekly Closeout: Converse drags down Nike, Wacoal acquires Glamorise

    The sneaker brand’s sales fell more than 30% in the latest quarter, and the deal with Glamorise is aimed at strengthening Wacoal’s U.S. position.

    By Retail Dive Staff • April 3, 2026
  • Trendline

    How artificial intelligence is shaping retail

    More retailers are leaning on AI as a tool, tapping into the tech to improve customer service and support supply chain functions.

    By Retail Dive staff
  • An employee assists a customer at The Home Depot store.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Consumers want associates to handle follow-up communication

    Shoppers want personalized communication, but they want it to come directly from staff, which can in turn drive sales, an Endear study found.

    By Bryan Wassel • April 1, 2026
  • Woman looks at labeling on grocery items
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    Getty Images
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    Consumer sentiment falls 6%, hit by declining stocks, higher gas prices

    Household expectations for inflation in 12 months rose to 3.8% from 3.4% in February in the biggest one-month gain since April 2025, the University of Michigan found in a survey.

    By Jim Tyson • March 30, 2026
  • Two people cross the street in denim jackets and bottoms.
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    Courtesy of Fabletics
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    Deep Dive

    Activewear isn’t over. Everything’s just apparel now.

    The lines between apparel, activewear and everything in between have only continued to blur. That isn’t a problem, except if the customer says it is.

    By March 30, 2026
  • Barbie Cameron, Max Magni and Romaine Bostick at Shoptalk Spring 2026.
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    Courtesy of Shoptalk
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    Retail leaders on embracing AI: ‘We have to keep trying things’

    The theme of Shoptalk Spring was “Retail in the Age of AI.” Executives had strong opinions on the matter.

    By , March 30, 2026
  • The Home Depot Chief Information Officer Angie Brown and Executive Vice President of Customer Experience Jordan Broggi speaking on a panel at Shoptalk Spring in Las Vegas.
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    Permission granted by Shoptalk
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    In the age of AI, Home Depot’s stores have ‘never been more relevant’

    While the retailer has been ramping up its AI-powered offerings, it aims to provide a frictionless experience across a customer’s shopping journey, wherever that may be.

    By March 27, 2026
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    Kendall Davis/Retail Dive
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    Podcast

    The Backroom: Consumer resilience in trying times

    Katie Thomas of the Kearney Consumer Institute talks about nuances in the K-shaped economy that help explain why discretionary retail sales have remained strong despite shoppers’ wariness.

    By Retail Dive Staff • March 26, 2026
  • A boot display in Tecovas' SoHo flagship in New York City
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    Permission granted by Tecovas
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    How Tecovas is leveraging AI to improve the store experience

    The boot brand is using the tech to help with inventory replenishment and allocation, and foster better interactions between associates and customers.

    By March 26, 2026
  • Amanda Bailey, Lowe's Vice President of Customer Marketing and Loyalty, speaks to an audience at Shoptalk Spring
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    Permission granted by Shoptalk
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    How Lowe’s creator network is winning over the next generation of shoppers

    The home improvement retailer has partnered with content creators like MrBeast to connect with Gen Alpha long before they purchase their first home.

    By March 25, 2026
  • GLP-1 users are changing apparel trends

    Some categories, like intimates, are already seeing shifts as shoppers buy clothes for new body sizes and routines, according to a Circana report.

    By Howard Ruben • March 25, 2026
  • A Dollar Tree storefront with parked cars and blue skies
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    Nate Delesline III/Retail Dive
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    Wealthy consumers are heading to dollar stores

    Inflation pushed dollar stores to expand their price points. Higher-income shoppers, pressured by the same headwind, came along for the ride.

    By March 23, 2026
  • Exterior shot of a DXL store.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Destination XL hit by ‘volatility’ of GLP-1 usage

    The plus-size apparel retailer reported Q4 total sales decreased 6% and expects the merger with FullBeauty Brands to close in the second quarter. 

    By March 20, 2026
  • The outside of a Lowe's store
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    Spencer Platt/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Lowe’s launches subscription service for in-home maintenance

    For $99 annually, HomeCare+ subscribers can have two in-home visits a year, spanning services like electric dryer vent cleaning and electric water heater flush.

    By Howard Ruben • March 20, 2026
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    Screenshot: National Retail Federation/YouTube

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    NRF forecasts 4.4% retail sales growth this year despite rising uncertainty

    The group acknowledged a softening labor market, persistent inflation and fallout from geopolitical tensions, but said “underlying fundamentals” and higher tax refunds should boost consumers.

    By March 19, 2026
  • A man sits in front of a computer with a hand on his head.
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    Getty Images
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    Half of consumers prefer brands that don’t use generative AI, Gartner finds

    Consumers who are ambivalent or distrust the technology may walk away if they feel forced to use AI, one analyst said.

    By Bryan Wassel • March 18, 2026
  • Beige storefront with red lettering saying Bob's Discount Furniture
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    Courtesy of Bob's Discount Furniture press kit
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    Bob’s Discount Furniture posts 17% revenue gain in 2025, plots store openings

    Fresh off its IPO, the furniture retailer represents a bright spot in an otherwise challenged home sector.

    By March 18, 2026
  • Close-up of young woman hand using smartphone
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    Getty Images
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    The US consumer is hitting a rough patch

    Even before the Iran war’s oil price spikes, people were getting more cautious about spending. That means buying less from retailers.

    By March 17, 2026
  • A delivery driver holds a package while wearing Amazon's smart glasses.
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    Courtesy of Amazon
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    Amazon launches 1-hour, 3-hour delivery options

    The offerings, now available in select cities and towns, feature a "supercenter" product assortment as the e-commerce giant battles competitors like Walmart.

    By Max Garland • March 17, 2026
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    Retrieved from Adobe Stock.
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    Sponsored by Facteus

    The economy is confusing. Your consumer understanding doesn’t have to be.

    Retailers are using daily transaction insights to understand subtle (yet important) nuances of how consumer spending shifts during economic turbulence.

    March 16, 2026
  • A customer shopping in an At Home store. Baskets of various colors and sizes line shelves.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    In the home sector, ‘the weak will get weaker’ this year

    Retailers in the category face a poor housing market, elevated interest rates, low consumer confidence and ever-changing tariff policies.

    By March 10, 2026
  • A woman smiles while holding her phone over a payment terminal held by a man in a cafe. The setting is bright and welcoming with a brick wall backdrop.
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    Shutterstock.com/PeopleImages

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    Sponsored by Affinity Solutions

    What last year’s receipts say about the year ahead

    Retail wasn’t out of style in 2025, shoppers simply chose more carefully. See the trends that filled bags, emptied shelves, and set the tone for retail’s 2026 runway.

    March 9, 2026
  • A person walks on a sidewalk near a wall that has letters spelling out "Court of International Trade Watson Courthouse."
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Tariff refunds: Court provides first step with liquidation order

    The Court of International Trade on Wednesday directed Customs and Border Protection to remove defunct tariffs when finalizing non-liquidated entries.

    By Phil Neuffer , Antone Gonsalves • March 5, 2026
  • People walking past and into a store.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    ‘Target is not an everything store’: CEO

    The retailer unveiled its multiyear turnaround plan, which includes an additional $1 billion operational investment and revamps of some private labels.

    By March 4, 2026
  • Leslie Bibb for Brooks Brothers
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    Courtesy of Brooks Brothers
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    How Brooks Brothers is refreshing the oldest apparel brand in the US

    Marisa Thalberg, chief customer and marketing officer at Catalyst Brands, details how the “Make It Yours” campaign transforms the brand’s positioning.

    By Chris Kelly • March 4, 2026