Returns expected to spike in the new year

Compared to earlier in the holiday season, returns will rise by up to 15% in the first two weeks of this month, according to Adobe Analytics.

By Howard Ruben • Jan. 5, 2026

The Backroom: Contemplating retail in 2026 with Doug Stephens

The retail strategy adviser talks about trust in the age of emerging AI and the industry’s potential to shape our society.

By Retail Dive Staff • Dec. 22, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

How retailers are thinking about in-store experience

Complementary shop-in-shops, age-appropriate experiences and integrated technology are just a few ways retailers are reworking stores to suit shoppers.

By Retail Dive staff

Target beats drum on value beyond pricing

The retailer is working to "prioritize value perception" with a balance of merchandising newness and affordability, according to Jefferies analysts.

By Dani James • Dec. 22, 2025

The Weekly Closeout: Levi’s adds Target vet to board, plus more Black Friday ‘standouts’

Jeffrey Jones, a former chief marketer at Target, will join the apparel maker in January. Meanwhile, analysts called out On and Hoka as big winners from the sale season.

By Retail Dive Staff • Dec. 19, 2025

TikTok Shop is driving social commerce growth

The platform’s sales are forecast to surpass $20 billion next year, and reach over $30 billion in 2028, according to Emarketer.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 18, 2025

Run retail run

Over 54,000 runners recently participated in the Chicago Marathon, with some 1.7 million spectators lining the streets. They came to race — and to shop.

By Kaarin Moore • Dec. 18, 2025

NRF expects ‘record’ number of Super Saturday shoppers

Of those who plan to shop, nearly half will do so both online and in stores, with department stores and discount retailers among the top destinations.

By Dani James • Dec. 17, 2025

Are secondhand sales beefing up this little retail segment?

Wells Fargo economists suspect that sales of used items helped push sales at “miscellaneous retailers” up more than 8% in the last 10 months.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 17, 2025

Could digital product passports transform customer experience?

Customer and product experiences are often separated, but digital product passports force “those two worlds to merge,” said Renascence Consulting CEO Aslan Patov.

By Michael Brady • Dec. 16, 2025

Apparel sales on the rebound despite tariffs, consumer anxiety

Several clothing retailers beat expectations in Q3, possibly fueled by consumers’ ongoing shift away from their pandemic-era wardrobes.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 16, 2025

Combating the consumer ‘joy deficit’ this season

Prices are high, shoppers are stressed out and anxiety-inducing marketing doesn’t help. Here’s what retailers can do instead.

By Cara Salpini • Dec. 16, 2025

Consumer spending growth could slow in 2026

Consumers will continue to drive the U.S. economy next year, but a softening labor market may dampen growth, according to Moody’s Ratings.

By Dani James • Dec. 15, 2025

The retail visibility gap – and how verified spend closes it

Your shoppers move fast. Lucky for you, so does Facteus data. See how real-world transaction data transforms strategic decision-making.

By Andrew Donsbach • Dec. 15, 2025

The Weekly Closeout: Consumers lean on BNPL and Walmart gets excited about Anthropologie

Reliance on buy now, pay later services has ticked up during the holidays, and the big-box retailer is bringing Anthropologie to its headquarters. 

By Retail Dive Staff • Dec. 12, 2025

Retailers band together to maintain customer relationships as third-party AI grows

As more consumers turn to third-party AI tools in their shopping journeys, who owns that experience?

By Kristen Doerer • Dec. 12, 2025

The Weekly Closeout: Prada closes Versace deal and Somnigroup offers to buy a supplier

Capri Holdings completed a sale of the fashion brand for nearly $1.4 billion, and Somnigroup seeks to acquire Leggett & Platt.

By Retail Dive Staff • Dec. 5, 2025

Mass market beauty sales growth is outpacing prestige

The beauty category is a bright spot in an otherwise challenging year for retailers, with one-third of consumers planning to shop the category this holiday.

By Howard Ruben • Dec. 5, 2025

Private label’s allure transcends income levels

Consumers with household incomes above $100,000 are becoming more likely to buy store-brand groceries as they look to save, Alvarez & Marsal found.

By Sam Silverstein • Dec. 2, 2025

BNPL drives over $1B in online spend on Cyber Monday

Overall spending on the digital shopping day topped $14 billion in the U.S., per Adobe Analytics. Shopify also touted record sales despite technical difficulties.

By Dani James • Dec. 2, 2025

Winners and losers of Black Friday 2025

Online discounts were flat year over year. However, some retailers won with exclusive giveaways that enticed customers into stores.

By Dani James • Nov. 29, 2025

Urban Outfitters expects highly promotional holiday

Traffic, sales and profits surged in Q3, but now customers are waiting on discounts. “They know that the promotions are coming,” CEO Dick Hayne said.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 26, 2025

Can artificial Christmas tree companies spruce things up for next year?

No one wanted to put tariffs on Christmas, says the National Tree Company CEO. But what happens when your raw materials are made outside the U.S.?

By Kaarin Moore • Nov. 25, 2025

Value City Furniture owner files for bankruptcy citing housing crisis

American Signature Inc. plans to close 33 stores in Chapter 11 and expects to enter into a stalking horse purchase agreement with current equity holders.

By Dani James • Nov. 24, 2025

Almost all Gen Zers plan to shop Black Friday week

While average spending is down, participation in the event is up across generations, an encouraging sign for the blockbuster holiday.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 24, 2025

How Gen Z is reshaping holiday marketing — and what brands can do about it

The cohort’s reliance on social media and influencers for product discovery remains, while new levels of comfort with retail media and AI take shape.

By Jessica Hammers • Nov. 24, 2025