The evolution of the shopping mall: What consumers want

E-commerce sales growth and in-store traffic declines are creating challenges for traditional malls, write Cushman & Wakefield's Barrie Scardina and WD Partners' Lee Peterson. 

By Barrie Scardina and Lee Peterson • Jan. 21, 2021

Fashion apparel makes a comeback, focus on digital deepens, and other 2021 predictions

The pandemic, and recovery from it, will likely define the year as consumers look to refresh their wardrobes and retailers hold on to new practices that worked, analysts say.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 20, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Digital innovation and technology trends in retail

Generative AI and TikTok Shop have replaced the metaverse and NFTs as the hot topics of the day — here’s a look at how brands are using them.

By Retail Dive staff

What the holidays mean for retail in 2021

The pandemic altered the season in various ways, with consequences for this year and beyond.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 20, 2021

The middle class is stressed and the pandemic isn't helping

Consumer spending is inhibited by not only a stubborn wealth gap, but also the precarious finances of those who are doing okay.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 20, 2021

Poshmark IPO illustrates ‘super-charged’ secondhand market

The secondhand digital marketplace saw shares more than double in its public debut. 

By Kaarin Moore • Jan. 19, 2021

Birkenstock reportedly in talks to sell to private equity

The nearly 250-year-old company is in advanced discussions to be acquired for about $5 billion, according to Bloomberg.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 19, 2021

3 I's that could reframe the future of retail

Move beyond the traditional definitions of customer centricity and work to become truly integrated into the life of the customer.

Jan. 18, 2021

Retail Therapy: Girl Scout cookies are out for delivery

The organization partnered with Grubhub to get cookies delivered to people's doors this season.

By Maria Monteros • Jan. 15, 2021

The Backroom: What the pandemic means for the future of retail

A follow-up discussion with "retail prophet" Doug Stephens, who has been mulling the disease outbreak's implications for the industry.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 14, 2021

By the numbers: Holiday retail sales in 2020

Kohl's comparable sales fell by 11% during the fourth quarter — an improvement over earlier periods — while it focused on cutting costs.

By Daphne Howland , Ben Unglesbee , Kaarin Moore • Updated Feb. 4, 2021

Nordstrom tops list of most connected retailers: survey

A report from CI&T ranked 10 leading retailers based on factors like search, cart, fulfillment and returns.

By Maria Monteros • Jan. 13, 2021

GameStop adds former Chewy execs to board as digital holiday sales balloon by 309%

The founder of the pet products e-tailer has taken an activist stake in GameStop and called on it to transform — immediately.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 12, 2021

9 retail trends to watch in 2021

The pandemic will continue to reshape the industry and accelerate trends from consumer preferences to industry norms and structures in the year ahead. 

By Daphne Howland , Ben Unglesbee , Cara Salpini , Kaarin Moore , Caroline Jansen , Maria Monteros • Jan. 12, 2021

A timeline of how the pandemic hit retail

Over the past year, Retail Dive tracked store closures and openings, as well as furloughs, layoffs, hirings and bankruptcies. Here's the story of 2020 in numbers.

By Cara Salpini • Jan. 11, 2021

Retail Therapy: 6 retail moments we're happy to have left in 2020

While the pandemic disrupted nearly every aspect of our lives, there was one thing we all could count on: brands cashing in on absurdity.

By Caroline Jansen • Jan. 8, 2021

NYC saw most chain store closures in over a decade in 2020: report

The record-level decline last year reveals the string of challenges facing businesses during the pandemic.

By Maria Monteros • Jan. 6, 2021

Family Video to close all stores as last-ditch effort comes up short

The last major video rental chain is throwing in the towel as the pandemic and disruption to Hollywood take their toll. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 6, 2021

Consumers spent over $100B on mobile apps in 2020: report

As shopping shifted from in-store to online, mobile purchases reached record-breaking heights. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 5, 2021

3 tips to win over millennials and Gen Z at checkout

To keep up with young shoppers, retailers need to provide experiences that offer both instant gratification and the flexibility to enable a frictionless shopping experience. 

Jan. 4, 2021

Holidays in review: What defined the season in 2020

From virtual services and contactless pickup to a Black Friday unlike any other, retailers were forced to adapt.

By Daphne Howland , Ben Unglesbee , Caroline Jansen , Kaarin Moore • Dec. 31, 2020

Retail Therapy: Party City says 'FU' to 2020

As the year that was defined by disruption and uncertainty comes to a close, the retailer is gearing up for the celebration of a lifetime.

By Caroline Jansen , Maria Monteros • Dec. 18, 2020

46% of shoppers more likely to shop small this year: survey

Research from Comcast Business suggests features like BOPIS and curbside pickup could lure consumers to small businesses.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 18, 2020

With an end to pandemic struggles in sight, beauty looks toward a prettier future

Unlike apparel, which will face a longer recovery, beauty could be back to 2019 levels by the first half of 2021, according to McKinsey.

By Cara Salpini • Dec. 17, 2020

An existential moment for the last video store chain

Family Video permanently shuttered half its footprint this year amid fallout from COVID-19. Now it's "all hands on deck" for the tenacious retailer.

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 16, 2020

What's selling in 2020's holiday season

This year, consumers sought out comfort over experiences.

By Caroline Jansen • Dec. 14, 2020