A timeline of Blockbuster's ride from megahit to flop

In less than 30 years the video rental chain opened its first store, roared to ubiquity and all but disappeared.

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 7, 2019

6 lessons from Blockbuster's demise still relevant to retailers today

Unmanageable debt, shallow consumer knowledge, unsophisticated pricing — the video retailer's bumpy path to liquidation has a familiar ring to it.  

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 7, 2019

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

NRF forecasts strong holiday season, despite tariffs

The retail trade association expects holiday sales to grow between 3.8% and 4.2% over last year.

By Lisa Rowan • Oct. 4, 2019

Could shoppers' money troubles spoil the holidays?

Consumers are wobbling financially, and their debt doesn't help.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 4, 2019

Over half of shoppers use subscription box services

Dollar Shave Club leads the pack as more retailers and brands introduce subscription services.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 4, 2019

Retail Therapy: Skechers is the younger sibling that can't stop copying Nike

The Oregon-based sportswear retailer is suing the casual footwear brand, alleging it "Skecherized" its designs.

By Caroline Jansen • Oct. 4, 2019

Mall vacancy rate at 8-year high

A report from Reis underscores mall challenges in a year when retailers have closed nearly 7,300 stores.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 3, 2019

CCIM Institute: The state of retailing in 2025

Expect more partnerships with hotels, pressure on supply chains and multiuse redevelopments to retail spaces, according to Chief Economist K.C. Conway.

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 1, 2019

SKU'd: J. Crew is your ex who had 'potential'

There is nothing more infuriating than having something you deeply love disappoint you again and again.

By Kaarin Moore • Oct. 1, 2019

Tariffs threaten to dampen holiday spending

Retailers have little room for error at a time when consumer confidence is showing cracks, an AlixPartners study finds.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 27, 2019

Retail Therapy: Hefty's new product is hot garbage

The brand unveiled limited-edition trash bags with phrases like "Feeling like garbage today" so consumers can channel their trashiest selves.

By Caroline Jansen • Sept. 27, 2019

NYC retail vacancies doubled over 10 years

Rent spikes and red tape are pushing retailers out, and are especially devastating to mom-and-pop stores, according to the city's comptroller.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 26, 2019

Despite economic concerns, shoppers to spend more on 2019 holidays

Millennials plan to spend 15% more than the average shopper and 25% more than baby boomers, an OpenX Technologies report found.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 24, 2019

In-store shopping still popular across age demographics

New research from Blackhawk Network shows 28% of consumers are shopping in stores more often than last year, while only 9% are shopping less.

By Lisa Rowan • Sept. 24, 2019

Are DTC brands disrupting the original furniture disruptor?

Ikea years ago changed the way consumers shopped for goods by flat-packing products. Now, direct-to-consumer brands are doing the same thing.

By Caroline Jansen • Sept. 23, 2019

Sephora tops ranking of retail personalization for 3rd straight year

Nordstrom jumped to second place with an improved score for mobile retailing, Sailthru found.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 23, 2019

How open-loop incentives drive merchant ROI and transform customer loyalty

Loyalty programs have long driven customer retention and loyalty, but what do consumers value in 2019?

Sept. 23, 2019

Retail Therapy: The one where Ralph Lauren and Rachel Green collaborate

In honor of the 25th anniversary of "Friends," the designer created a special capsule collection inspired by the fashion-forward TV character.

By Caroline Jansen • Sept. 20, 2019

Gen Z's worries about emotional health affect shopping habits

Young adults prefer in-store shopping to disconnect from social media and digital news, which are sources of stress, an A.T. Kearney study shows.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 18, 2019

Reporter's Notebook: Is Boston's Seaport the new SoHo?

A cluster of DTC brands found homes in the vibrant district, while the city's famous Newbury Street sees its prominence dim.

By Cara Salpini • Sept. 18, 2019

Holiday sales growth could top 5%

Early prognostications of the retail season are coming in fairly robust, but some are accompanied by nerve-wracking asterisks. 

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 17, 2019

Retail Therapy: Neiman Marcus' new arrivals, frankly, miss the mark

For a retailer that's not in the best financial health, we're not sure a $7,000 hot dog couch is the path to success.

By Caroline Jansen • Sept. 13, 2019

J.C. Penney eyes outerwear with apparel line, concept shops

The struggling retailer is trying to get a slice of the category and likely hoping to avoid getting left behind, as it was with the women's activewear shift. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Sept. 10, 2019

SKU'd: The problem with Kate Spade is that it became J. Crew

Which is a dilemma because J. Crew doesn't know who it is right now, either. 

By Kaarin Moore • Sept. 10, 2019

Retail Therapy: Cheetos 'Flaming Haute' bid to take on NYFW

The snack brand is hosting its first runway show to coincide with the New York fashion event.

By Caroline Jansen • Sept. 6, 2019