Why J.C. Penney is taking on deal fatigue for its holiday campaign

Marisa Thalberg, chief customer and marketing officer at parent Catalyst Brands, explains the retailer’s latest push with agency Mischief. 

By Jessica Hammers • Nov. 3, 2026

Holiday shoppers only want a dash of AI for the gift hunt

Price comparisons and narrowing down gift ideas are some of the ways consumers are using AI this season. But maintaining autonomy in the buying process remains important to shoppers.

By Dani James • Nov. 3, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

The state of holiday shopping and the consumer

Consumers are signaling they want value when it comes to quality, convenience and experiences. 

By Retail Dive staff

Consumers want to feel the holiday spirit. A good store experience can help.

Minimizing fuss, helping customers keep their holiday traditions alive and righting any problems that come up will be key goals this year.

By Bryan Wassel • Nov. 2, 2026

Walmart dishes up holiday meal deal

The retailer's offering for 2026 can feed 10 people for $35 and includes 18% more items than its bundle last year.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 2, 2026

The Backroom: Dynamic pricing and the anxious consumer

With the holidays approaching, consumers are zeroed in on price now more than ever — and Walmart is taking the heat.

By Retail Dive Staff • Oct. 29, 2026

Gap Inc. launches AI hiring tool in time for the holidays

The retailer expects around 200,000 seasonal employment applications. Its new AI platform aims to reduce the administrative tasks associated with hiring. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 29, 2026

Sephora casts Seth Rogen for holiday ads targeted at gift-givers

“The Studio” star plays a clueless shopper in a campaign aimed at consumers who aren’t in-the-know about beauty but are seeking thoughtful presents.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 28, 2026

These 3 department stores need a good holiday

Kohl’s, J.C. Penney and — once again— Saks Fifth Avenue have a lot riding on this year’s shopping season.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 27, 2026

Walmart’s chief marketer breaks down retailer’s Muppet-fueled holiday campaign

For a unified push during the holidays, the retailer is recreating the world of “The Muppet Christmas Carol” and extending its “Who Knew?” brand platform.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 27, 2026

5 of the biggest retail horror stories of 2026

From Nike’s turnaround setbacks to Chip Wilson’s battle with Lululemon, the spookiest sights weren’t found on retailers’ shelves this year.

By Caroline Jansen • Oct. 27, 2026

CVS wants to sell more Pokémon, collectibles

The pharmacy retailer is expanding its assortment of toys and collectibles as adults fuel growth in those segments. 

By Kaarin Moore • Oct. 26, 2026

Walmart debuts longer Black Friday, Cyber Monday sales events

The mass retailer's deal events will total 14 days this season, compared to 10 in 2025.

By Dani James • Oct. 26, 2026

Macy’s revamps Santaland, brings back Holiday Square

The department store is leaning into the festive season at its Herald Square flagship in New York with a variety of activations.

By Lara Ewen • Oct. 23, 2026

Amazon eyes 300K holiday hires

The e-commerce giant is increasing U.S. holiday staffing by 20% compared to the past three seasons.

By Kaarin Moore • Oct. 21, 2026

Target unwraps high-concept holiday ads focused on gift-giving academy

Actor D’Arcy Carden serves as Chief Giftologist in a new campaign that will be supported by a bigger creator push around YouTube and TikTok.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 21, 2026

Target touts holiday bargains as consumers stress out about their finances

The offer includes what the mass merchant calls “luxe-for-less gifting.” But with apparel and home in turnaround mode, its strongest category is toys.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 21, 2026

Anthropologie’s holiday marketing seeks to balance emotion, business impact

Sentimental ads and a creator-led social series are complemented by offerings like a new DoorDash partnership, global marketing chief Barbra Sainsurin said.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 20, 2026

Shoppers expect less for more this holiday season. That could mean a sales decline.

Some of the latest projections suggest spending could drop, but even those that predict growth recognize consumers are pressured.

By Dani James • Oct. 20, 2026

Dick’s Sporting Goods’ seasonal hiring slips

The athletics retailer is echoing a national pattern of retailers pulling back on hiring workers for the holidays. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 19, 2026

NRF forecasts 4.2% holiday sales growth, muted seasonal hiring

Spending may top $1 trillion as consumers grapple with higher prices.

By Dani James • Oct. 19, 2026

Halloween without candy? What shoppers are cutting from budgets this year

Nearly two-thirds of shoppers plan to skip some purchases this year, including staple items like costumes and candy, a new LendingTree survey finds.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 16, 2026

Bath & Body Works expands partnership to all Ulta stores for the holidays

Pink Suede is back as a limited-edition scent exclusive to Ulta. Meanwhile, customers can shop a curated selection of seasonal products at the beauty retailer through Dec. 26.

By Kaarin Moore • Oct. 16, 2026

Saks channels ‘main character energy’ for first post-bankruptcy holiday

A few months after its parent company exited Chapter 11, a leaner Saks Fifth Avenue is out to show it still has holiday heft.

By Nicole Silberstein • Oct. 14, 2026

Nordstrom expands FAO Schwarz offerings, debuts new app features for holidays

The department store revamped its Nordy marketing character and is offering same-day beauty deliveries at select locations this season.

By Dani James • Oct. 13, 2026

Gen Z, Gen Alpha and the AI-ificiation of retail this holiday season

AI is “rewiring” the brains of today’s youth, at the same time that they’re craving physical experiences. Can retailers strike the right balance?

By Cara Salpini • Oct. 13, 2026