Why customers are fed up with AI chatbots

Few things will cause a customer to immediately request — or demand — a live agent like a bot that misunderstands them.

By Matt Vartabedian • Oct. 22, 2026

Teen spending up 6% as they trade athletic apparel for fashion

While footwear was down and traditional athletic brands lost share, Target and brands including On gained ground, per a survey from Piper Sandler.

By Lara Ewen • Oct. 21, 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

Target touts holiday bargains as consumers stress out about their finances

The offer includes what the mass merchant calls “luxe-for-less gifting.” But with apparel and home in turnaround mode, its strongest category is toys.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 21, 2026

Shoppers expect less for more this holiday season. That could mean a sales decline.

Some of the latest projections suggest spending could drop, but even those that predict growth recognize consumers are pressured.

By Dani James • Oct. 20, 2026

NRF forecasts 4.2% holiday sales growth, muted seasonal hiring

Spending may top $1 trillion as consumers grapple with higher prices.

By Dani James • Oct. 19, 2026

Why retail is positioned to win the flexible credential opportunity

Shoppers juggle debit, credit and BNPL. Here’s why retail is poised to win with one flexible card.

Oct. 19, 2026

Halloween without candy? What shoppers are cutting from budgets this year

Nearly two-thirds of shoppers plan to skip some purchases this year, including staple items like costumes and candy, a new LendingTree survey finds.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 16, 2026

Moody’s upgrades retail and apparel outlook as tariffs ease

The firm now expects “solid household finances” to lead to more stability in the sector, although rising energy costs and geopolitical risks are still a factor.

By Lara Ewen • Oct. 14, 2026

Where has the aspirational luxury consumer gone?

High-end brands have raised their prices in the post-pandemic economy. They’re selling less in part because fewer consumers can afford them.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 13, 2026

Gen Z, Gen Alpha and the AI-ificiation of retail this holiday season

AI is “rewiring” the brains of today’s youth, at the same time that they’re craving physical experiences. Can retailers strike the right balance?

By Cara Salpini • Oct. 13, 2026

Tariffs pushed up consumer goods prices by 2.9 percentage points: NY Fed

Consumer expectations for inflation rose for the second straight month to the highest level since May, the University of Michigan said Friday.

By Jim Tyson • Oct. 12, 2026

Nearly half of shoppers are worried about affording holiday gifts this year

Concerns about the job market, as well as personal and household debt, are affecting how much consumers plan to spend this season, per an ICSC report.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 9, 2026

Online spend during Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days neared $10B in the US

The retailer’s two-day event drove sales at multiple stores including Walmart as consumers hunted for bargains and discounts ahead of the holiday rush.

By Lara Ewen • Oct. 9, 2026

What the Super El Niño means for retail

The phenomenon, which shakes up normal weather patterns, will be the most intense on record, with varying impacts on consumers and brands.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 6, 2026

Halloween spending creeps up this year

While budgets for the holiday increase, one in five shoppers plan to use buy now, pay later or other financing services, according to Deloitte.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 5, 2026

How GLP-1 users are forcing retailers to rethink everything

Wide adoption of the medication has changed consumer behavior — from how shoppers think about sizing, to how they shop online. Can retail keep up? 

By Kaarin Moore • Oct. 5, 2026

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

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