Build-A-Bear fires chief growth officer as earnings fall flat

The company's summer trend merchandise didn't resonate with customers and wholesale progressed slower than expected.

By Dani James • Aug. 27, 2026

Consumer confidence wanes on dimming view of jobs, incomes, business

Most consumers expect higher inflation and anticipate that interest rates will rise in the next 12 months, The Conference Board said.

By Jim Tyson • Aug. 27, 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

The Backroom: A sit-down with Ron Johnson

The retail veteran shares his journey with Apple, the infamous stint with J.C. Penney and more ahead of the release of his memoir, “Shop Different.”

By Retail Dive Staff • Aug. 27, 2026

Target apologizes for offensive Halloween costume

The retailer is facing backlash over a costume critics described as evoking racial stereotypes. The incident comes over a year after the company's DEI changes made headlines.

By Dani James • Aug. 25, 2026

Fragrance drives beauty sales as consumers seek ‘emotional and functional value’

Prestige and mass beauty retail sales were up in the U.S. in the first half of the year, underscoring the resilience of the category, according to Circana. 

By Lara Ewen • Aug. 24, 2026

US toy industry has best first-half performance in 6 years

Older consumers are fueling growth in the industry, according to a new Circana report.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 20, 2026

Lowe’s cuts outlook as DIY spending remains pressured

Growth in Pro, home services and online sales helped the home improvement retailer eke out a 0.2% comp increase.

By Caroline Jansen • Aug. 19, 2026

Kohl’s navigates choppy back-to-school season with another round of deals

The department store, which is leaning on value to woo back customers, just a few weeks ago priced thousands of school supplies under $25.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 19, 2026

Target finalizes divorce from Ulta, signaling shift in beauty market

The mass retailer’s new Target Beauty Studio experience will help fill the void left by its Ulta partnership ending. Experts say the change might benefit Target long term.

By Dani James • Aug. 18, 2026

Back-to-school spending could be ‘moderate at best’

Growth is concentrated in higher-income consumers as many shoppers contemplate discretionary purchases, per new data from Circana.

By Dani James • Aug. 17, 2026

The Weekly Closeout: Mud Jeans files for bankruptcy and is the K-shaped economy over?

The circular denim brand was saddled with debt. Meanwhile, many analysts are turning against the letter K in describing the U.S. economy. 

By Retail Dive Staff • Aug. 14, 2026

Consumers warm up to agentic AI purchases

Shoppers are trusting AI to buy items on their behalf, but they still prefer a human step in the process, a new survey found.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 13, 2026

Winning Halloween: How Gen Z’s spooky summers are driving growth

76% of Gen Z want year-round Halloween candy, fueling America’s longest shopping season.

By Tim LeBel, Chief Halloween Officer, Mars Snacking North America • Aug. 10, 2026

Claire’s revamps iconic piercing experience

The retailer is rolling out updated training, store displays, earrings and more as part of broader upgrades to its store service.

By Dani James • Aug. 6, 2026

High-income shoppers drive revenue gains at Wayfair

Despite continued housing market uncertainty, the company’s upscale Perigold banner experienced growth, increasing by over 35% in Q2.

By Caroline Jansen • Aug. 4, 2026

As the holidays near, two-thirds of shoppers are using AI

Consumers are looking to AI this holiday season to sift through products and search for bargains, according to Attentive.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 4, 2026

Amazon customers are embracing Alexa for Shopping

The number of active users for the tech nearly doubled in the second quarter, with interactions up five times year over year, CEO Andy Jassy said.

By Bryan Wassel • Aug. 3, 2026

The Backroom: How long can the consumer hang on?

Discretionary retail sales have been surprisingly strong so far this year. The team discusses the reasons why and what that might mean for the rest of 2026.

By Retail Dive Staff • July 30, 2026

Why Nike is trying to reignite its sportswear business with a hoodie

Studio Fleece, the retailer’s latest line, aims to recreate a series of wardrobe staples for women, Nike’s Jill Gonzalez told Retail Dive.

By Cara Salpini • July 30, 2026

Back-to-school shoppers will prioritize essentials over apparel

Clothing buys will be spread out over the school year, while sporting goods are increasingly considered essential, according to two reports.

By Lara Ewen • July 29, 2026

Stressed parents turn to BNPL for back-to-school shopping

Nearly half of consumers expect to use buy now, pay later this year, an Omnisend survey found.

By Dani James • July 27, 2026

The Weekly Closeout: Digital Brands Group enacts reverse stock split, gas prices up again

The company will implement a 1-for-40 split to comply with Nasdaq rules, and this week's $100-per-barrel price on oil poses a risk to household budgets.

By Retail Dive Staff • July 24, 2026

From Yamal to the mall: How American Eagle is going back to school

Chief Marketing Officer Craig Brommers details the retailer’s extensive marketing for the crucial season, which kicks off days after global ambassador Lamine Yamal and his team won World Cup gold.

By Chris Kelly • July 22, 2026

Gap makes a fine mesh out of its ‘Happy Stripe’ remake

A polyester take on a vintage sweater design got plenty of backlash on social media, but the stumble won’t likely stall the brand’s comeback.

By Daphne Howland • July 20, 2026

AI is creating e-commerce’s next optimization challenge: The intent gap

AI is changing how shoppers arrive. Is your checkout keeping up?

July 20, 2026