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

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 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

Dollar stores gain as Americans stretch budgets

Dollar General and Dollar Tree both reported second quarter increases in average ticket and traffic amid a tough macroeconomic backdrop.

By Dani James • Aug. 28, 2026

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

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