The Weekly Closeout: Revolve debuts magazine and Cato closes 120 stores

The fashion retailer wants to connect more deeply with shoppers through a print publication. Meanwhile, the specialty apparel brand is accelerating closures.

By Retail Dive Staff • Oct. 2, 2026

Consumer AI use a boon for the holidays as AI traffic doubles

Consumers using AI engage with brands’ offers at a higher rate than non-AI traffic and generate more revenue per visit, a survey from Adobe found.

By Matt Vartabedian • Oct. 1, 2026

Explore the 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

Consumer confidence sags to 12-year low, eroded by inflation, job anxiety

Inflation will probably not slow to the Federal Reserve’s 2% target until 2028, New York Fed President John Williams predicted.

By Jim Tyson • Oct. 1, 2026

Senate passes Common Cents bill

The measure to provide merchants a cash rounding framework and to formally phase out the penny now heads to the White House.

By Justin Bachman • Sept. 30, 2026

Target cuts prices as consumer sentiment sours

With the holiday season ramping up, the mass retailer reduced pricing on nearly 2,000 home and apparel products.

By Dani James • Sept. 29, 2026

Inflation slams consumer sentiment to 4-month low

Despite their dimming sentiments toward inflation and business conditions, consumers have shown no sign of cutting spending.

By Jim Tyson • Sept. 29, 2026

Retailers, consumers both on edge as the holidays approach

Shoppers will find lean inventories this season as they scour stores for the right items at the right price — and the hunt has already begun.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 29, 2026

Walmart CEO addresses dynamic pricing concerns

John Furner issued a letter attempting to dispel pricing concerns about digital shelf labels and Sparky, but some say a Walmart patent leaves the door open.

By Dani James • Sept. 28, 2026

Consumers aren’t just buying gifts this holiday season. They’re stocking up on essentials.

Total online spend in the U.S. will top $275 billion, according to Adobe, but many will use seasonal deals to stockpile necessities. 

By Lara Ewen • Sept. 28, 2026

Black Friday 2026 ready: The infrastructure and compliance checklist retailers can’t afford to skip

Large databases are vulnerable to tough new barriers targeting high numbers of consumer complaints and large unsubscribe rates.

Sept. 28, 2026

The Weekly Closeout: What will happen to Michael Kors and J. Crew celebrates its Barn Jacket

Also, Sweaty Betty owner Wolverine World Wide eliminated the active group president role last week.

By Retail Dive Staff • Sept. 25, 2026

Halloween spending expected to reach $13.5B

Shoppers are approaching the holiday “with affordability in mind,” and looking for ways to maximize value, according to a new report. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 24, 2026

Consumers trust AI to advise, but don’t consent to it purchasing for them

Consumers are turning to AI to find deals, but won’t allow it to delegate purchase decisions, an ACI Worldwide survey found.

By Matt Vartabedian • Sept. 23, 2026

More lower-income households feel financially vulnerable

With pandemic-era support gone and inflation taking a toll, many consumers can't pay their bills and feel bleak about the future, according to research from The Financial Health Network and the University of Southern California.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 23, 2026

Shoppers burned by bad AI recommendations

As more consumers turn to AI to suggest purchases, some regret following the technology’s advice, a new survey finds.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 23, 2026

Dairy milk’s demand remains strong across retail

Capture more trips and unlock incremental growth by making Dairy Milk an intentional part of the basket.

By MILKSCAPE™ • Sept. 21, 2026

Old Navy’s new subbrand is a big bet on activewear

The category has long been a strength at Gap Inc.’s value banner, and giving the assortment its own brand identity could propel that further.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 15, 2026

Teens start to trust AI recommendations more than friends, parents

There's a generational shift among consumers as they bring AI into their purchasing process, according to a Mastercard report.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 14, 2026

Why SoHo is still a retail favorite

The New York neighborhood is seeing record low retail rental availability rates while some of the city’s other shopping corridors struggle.

By Lara Ewen • Sept. 14, 2026

E-commerce to outpace overall holiday sales growth as shoppers lean on AI

The channel is expected to grow up to 8.4%, aided in part by consumers’ embrace of digital tools such as artificial intelligence, per Deloitte.

By Lara Ewen • Sept. 10, 2026

Holiday spending forecast to top $1 trillion

Inflation is expected to account for much of the increase, according to a new report from Bain & Company.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 8, 2026

The Weekly Closeout: Reebok partners with Hilary Duff and Saks Fifth Avenue launches fall campaign

The pop icon is the athletic retailer’s latest ambassador. Meanwhile, the department store, and sister brand Neiman Marcus, debuted seasonal campaigns. 

By Kaarin Moore • Sept. 4, 2026

Sephora to pilot TikTok Shop experience

The beauty retailer will debut exclusive monthly drops through the social media's e-commerce feature with content-led videos and a TikTok Live.

By Dani James • Sept. 2, 2026

Ulta leans into exclusivity amid Target Beauty Studio competition

The specialty retailer reported strong Q2 sales and raised its full-year guidance, though makeup comps were nearly flat compared to last year.

By Dani James • Aug. 28, 2026

The Weekly Closeout: Arc’teryx vet heads to Helly Hansen, Avon North America to be acquired

Kontoor Brands tapped C.J. King to lead Helly Hansen’s North American sports division, while Regent’s deal reunites the beauty company with Avon International.

By Retail Dive Staff • Aug. 28, 2026