9 make-or-break retail turnarounds to watch in 2021

Companies in transformation and survival mode may be looking for normalcy. But the year ahead holds plenty of unknowns. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 9, 2020

What the past decade did to retail

As 2020 comes to a close, Retail Dive analyzed trends in apparel, venture capital and financialization that shaped the industry. Check out the full series.

By Cara Salpini • Nov. 6, 2020

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

Election delays hinder store traffic and online sales as holidays launch

With results up in the air and the pandemic ongoing, retailers and their customers face further uncertainty at an already volatile time.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 5, 2020

5 forces that stripped apparel sales in the last decade

Consumers in the past 10 years changed their clothes, from fast fashion to resale, and shunned formality. That bankrupted a lot of retailers.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 4, 2020

The decade of VC funding that shaped e-commerce and DTC brands

Direct to consumer might be the buzziest trend in retail over the past 10 years, but it's not where all the money's going.

By Cara Salpini • Nov. 3, 2020

The holidays are here. Where's the consumer?

Uncertainty about the pandemic and the economy is defining the season as retailers try to coax customers to spend early on all channels.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 2, 2020

Retail Therapy: Babe Wine creates Election Night Survival Kit

To help cope with uncertainty on Nov. 3, the brand released a pack that includes a "Scream Here" pillow and a stress ball.

By Caroline Jansen • Oct. 30, 2020

The Senate's stimulus breakdown is the last thing retailers needed

The lawmakers adjourned this week without agreeing to a new stimulus package, essentially taking billions of holiday spending with them.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 28, 2020

Catering to the plant-based diet trend: What about the package?

Isn’t it only natural to put plant-based food in a plant-based package?

Oct. 26, 2020

Changes in consumer habits during the COVID-19 pandemic

Understanding just how consumer habits are shifting is imperative as retailers continue to win back pre-COVID clientele and seek to attract new customers.

Oct. 26, 2020

Retail Therapy: Brands reimagine Halloween festivities

Reese's and Kool-Aid created safer alternatives to trick-or-treating, while Reebok unveiled Ghostbusters-inspired shoes to get consumers in the spirit.

By Caroline Jansen • Oct. 23, 2020

The naked truth about apparel's future

The segment was in free fall even before the pandemic. But a bleak 2020 could give way to new opportunities.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 22, 2020

With new private label, Kohl's stakes strategy on the athleisure boom

More store space will be dedicated to the category, an attempt to become "the most trusted retailer of choice for the active and casual lifestyle."

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 21, 2020

Consumers projected to spend more on comfortable clothing: NPD

Though apparel retailers have struggled during COVID-19, consumers expect to shop more online.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 21, 2020

Deloitte finds US consumers anxious about their finances, health ahead of the holidays

While many shoppers will spend money saved because they couldn't travel this year, they'll avoid stores and spend 7% less than last year.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 20, 2020

What September's retail sales rebound means for the holidays

As the U.S. faces another apparent pandemic surge, a wobbly economy and a national election, uncertainty rules.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 19, 2020

Life after liquidation: Why some brands thrive after closing shop and others don't

The market keeps growing for retail IP even after physical stores close. But does every dead retail brand need saving?

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 19, 2020

5 retail holiday predictions for 2020

In an unpredictable year it's hard to see what's on the immediate horizon — particularly when it comes to consumer spending habits. 

By Kaarin Moore • Oct. 19, 2020

Building bigger baskets by increasing engagement in a mission-driven world

Online shopping participation has accelerated at warp speed through the evolution of COVID-19. More and more people are choosing alternative shopping options like home delivery, click-and-collect and curbside.

Oct. 19, 2020

Retail Therapy: Hormel Foods serves up a bacon-scented face mask

Because nothing makes an already-steamy experience better than the smell of artificial meat.

By Caroline Jansen • Oct. 16, 2020

US consumers reportedly seek bargains as employment picture darkens

The Labor Department reported a spike in new jobless claims, as GlobalData analysts warn that pay cuts and job losses are affecting behavior.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 15, 2020

ICSC sees 1.9% rise in holiday sales

The trade group forecasts $862 billion in sales for the 2020 holiday season. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 14, 2020

Study: 62% of shoppers that struggle to complete purchases abandon their carts

Gen Z has the highest percentage of consumers who have had difficulty completing online transactions, a goMoxie survey found.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 13, 2020

As holiday shopping begins, half of consumers hurt economically by pandemic

A new report from PwC found that many consumers are grappling with lost income and jobs, and a majority are also concerned about COVID-19 in stores. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 12, 2020

Black Friday's too late this year. Is Prime Day just in time?

The pandemic forced Amazon to postpone its annual sale event until now, and that could be an opportunity for all retailers this season.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 12, 2020