Consumer Trends
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Courtesy of Coach
Coach unites celebrities, Gen Z storytelling under new brand platform
Developed with Gen Z input, &Coach tries to break from fixed luxury campaign narratives to focus on co-authorship.
By Peter Adams • June 17, 2026 -
Mario Tama via Getty Images
Consumer sentiment rises from 4-month slump as gas prices fall
Consumers are “still seeing a lot of risks on the horizon,” according to Joanne Hsu, director of consumer surveys at the University of Michigan.
By Jim Tyson • June 15, 2026 -
Trendline
Retail's quest to improve the customer experience
From new store concepts to AI-enabled offerings, retailers are constantly shifting their approach to better cater to shopper needs.
By Retail Dive staff -
Drazen Zigic via Getty Images
Consumer pain worsens as inflation hits 3-year high
Ending the Iran war could help ease the pressure, but the worst is likely still to come for categories like food, according to economists.
By Daphne Howland • June 10, 2026 -
Getty Images
Why marketers must rethink loyalty as AI reshapes consumer connections
Over half of consumers are comfortable filtering their brand communications entirely through AI, according to research from Gale.
By Peter Adams • June 10, 2026 -
Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
Beauty shoppers are hunting for value. Dollar stores are ready.
The category — which continued to grow in Q1 — has become more relevant to Dollar Tree in recent years, the retailer’s chief merchant told Retail Dive.
By Dani James • June 10, 2026 -
Courtesy of Adidas
Deep DiveNike and Adidas take their rivalry to the World Cup. Who will win?
The brands are both at a crossroads, and their campaign centerpieces play up soccer bona fides alongside the sport’s stars and other pop icons.
By Chris Kelly • June 9, 2026 -
Courtesy of Stellantis
Deep DiveHow brands are celebrating 250 years of America amid political polarization
Major marketers looking to engage U.S. consumers around the milestone must prove their bona fides or risk looking like bandwagoners.
By Chris Kelly • June 8, 2026 -
Courtesy of Five Below
Five Below nixes ‘Five Beyond’ store section
The retailer — which reported a 32% sales bump for Q1 thanks to viral squishy toys — moved the higher-priced inventory in line with the rest of the store.
By Dani James • June 4, 2026 -
Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
Ulta’s prestige beauty shines despite consumer pressure
The retailer's sales jumped 11% in Q1 with the help of higher-end offerings. Meanwhile, the company is plotting an experiential store in New York City.
By Dani James • June 3, 2026 -
Permission granted by Dollar General
Dollar General sales soar as customers trade down at ‘accelerated’ rate
The discount retailer’s Q1 sales jumped 3.4% as rural shoppers see an outsized impact from increased gas prices.
By Dani James • June 2, 2026 -
Courtesy of Amazon
Amazon reveals Prime Day dates
The e-commerce company moved the event to June, and is encouraging shoppers to use its Alexa for Shopping AI tech.
By Kaarin Moore • June 2, 2026 -
Getty Images
Mass retailers draw level with supermarkets as primary grocery destinations
People have become just as likely to cite a retailer like Walmart or Target as a supermarket when asked where they spend most of their food budget, according to data from FMI.
By Sam Silverstein • June 2, 2026 -
Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
Fashion misses at Old Navy spell trouble for Gap Inc.
Internal flubs, not customer malaise, were the cause and have been addressed, Gap Inc. CEO Richard Dickson said Thursday. But is competition from off price a growing problem for the value brand?
By Daphne Howland • May 29, 2026 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
Consumer sentiment falls to new low; cost of living ‘first-order’ worry
A sustained rise in long-run inflation expectations would likely increase the odds that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates.
By Jim Tyson • May 29, 2026 -
Alamy
Dollar Tree CEO: ‘Our model is built for environments like this’
Customers are shopping the discount retailer with a focus on affordability, convenience and trip efficiency to stretch their budgets.
By Kaarin Moore • May 29, 2026 -
Courtesy of Dick's Sporting Goods
Another strong quarter for Dick’s quells some Foot Locker fears
The Foot Locker business posted its first positive comps since late 2024 and the company raised guidance for both banners.
By Cara Salpini • May 27, 2026 -
Courtesy of Walmart
Target, Walmart vie for beauty customers
The retailers are investing in ways to court beauty consumers away from specialty retailers, trying new staffing models and remixing the merchandising assortment.
By Dani James • May 27, 2026 -
Scott Olson via Getty Images
Walmart ties expected tariff refunds to price strategy amid cost pressures
CFO John David Rainey said potential recoveries would be directed toward lowering prices as fuel costs pressure consumers.
By Alexei Alexis • May 26, 2026 -
Michael M. Santiago / Staff via Getty Images
What customers consider when using AI to shop
The vast majority of consumers say it’s important to recognize the seller or merchant and check customer reviews before purchasing, a PSE Consulting survey found.
By Kristen Doerer • May 21, 2026 -
Kendall Davis/Retail Dive
Podcast
The Backroom: What’s really happening at Lululemon?
Senior Editor Cara Salpini joins the podcast to discuss the pushback against the incoming CEO, founder Chip Wilson’s battle with the board and more.
By Retail Dive Staff • May 21, 2026 -
Permission granted by Walmart
Walmart warns of price increases due to fuel costs
The retailer expects somewhat higher retail price inflation in Q2 if the fuel shocks from the war in Iran persist. However, Walmart maintained its full-year guidance.
By Dani James • May 21, 2026 -
Getty Images
AI referrals make shoppers more likely to either return — or never come back
Companies need to quickly justify why the AI recommended their brand, Info-Tech Research Group’s Julie Geller said. “If that validation isn’t obvious, confidence drops fast.”
By Bryan Wassel • May 20, 2026 -
Getty Images
Sponsored by NuveiMarketplace growth is outpacing ecommerce. Here’s why payments infrastructure will shape who scales.
For retailers navigating the shift to marketplaces, three areas determine whether a marketplace scales or stalls.
May 18, 2026 -
Getty Images
Department stores losing market share to resale
Off-price retailers have little to fear from rapidly growing secondhand sales, though, according to research from Bank of America analysts.
By Daphne Howland • May 15, 2026 -
Courtesy of Gap Inc.
ColumnThe Weekly Closeout: Another entertainment exec at Gap Inc., and tariff refunds trickle in
The apparel conglomerate beefed up its "fashiontainment" roster, while retailers are getting their money back on import levies canceled by the Supreme Court.
By Retail Dive Staff • May 15, 2026
