E-commerce to outpace overall holiday sales growth as shoppers lean on AI

The channel is expected to grow up to 8.4%, aided in part by consumers’ embrace of digital tools such as artificial intelligence, per Deloitte.

By Lara Ewen • Sept. 10, 2026

Holiday spending forecast to top $1 trillion

Inflation is expected to account for much of the increase, according to a new report from Bain & Company.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 8, 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

USPS announces 6% rate increase for 2026 peak season

The holiday price bump is set to impact Ground Advantage, Priority Mail and other package shipping services starting Oct. 4.

By Max Garland • Aug. 31, 2026

The Weekly Closeout: Target’s home turnaround and Macy’s 100th parade countdown

Long lead times in the category mean a rebound will take time. Meanwhile, the department store is setting its sights on its centennial Thanksgiving Day Parade.

By Retail Dive Staff • Aug. 21, 2026

Target leans on newness for Halloween assortment

A majority of the retailer's festive collection is new in 2026, beating the drum on fresh merchandise being a core part of its turnaround.

By Dani James • Aug. 12, 2026

Retailers stocked up for upcoming holiday season

Data from NRF projects that imports at major U.S. ports have peaked as businesses built up inventory ahead of new tariffs.

By Dani James • Aug. 10, 2026

As the holidays near, two-thirds of shoppers are using AI

Consumers are looking to AI this holiday season to sift through products and search for bargains, according to Attentive.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 4, 2026

Amazon announces 2026 holiday fulfillment fees, advises early shipping

The company's ongoing 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge will apply to the peak season fees, which start Oct. 15.

By Max Garland • July 14, 2026

How brands are celebrating 250 years of America amid political polarization

Major marketers looking to engage U.S. consumers around the milestone must prove their bona fides or risk looking like bandwagoners.

By Chris Kelly • June 8, 2026

Amazon reveals Prime Day dates

The e-commerce company moved the event to June, and is encouraging shoppers to use its Alexa for Shopping AI tech.

By Kaarin Moore • June 2, 2026

The Home Depot’s Skelly gets an upgrade

New features for the viral product include the ability to record modulating voice lines via an app, as the retailer drops its “Halfway to Halloween” collection. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • April 9, 2026

Five Below delivers strongest holiday performance since going public

The discount retailer's Q4 net sales soared over 24% compared to a year ago. CEO Winnie Park says expanded pricing will continue to play a pivotal role.

By Dani James • March 19, 2026

Gap revival crystallizes as sales jump 8% in Q4

The brand also notched its eighth straight comp rise. Tariffs eroded Gap Inc.’s margins and profits, though, and Athleta sales tanked again.

By Daphne Howland • March 6, 2026

What December retail sales say about consumers in 2026

Shoppers are likely to keep spending, but even luxury consumers are wary.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 12, 2026

Returns season is here. What are the best practices for a good experience?

A focus on transparency and automation, with live support for stressful situations, can help craft a great returns experience, experts say.

By Bryan Wassel • Jan. 14, 2026

US e-commerce spend reached nearly $258B over the holidays

Adobe Analytics data found consumer spending grew 6.8% compared to 2024, with buy now, pay later usage reaching a new high.

By Dani James • Jan. 7, 2026

December sales drop over 2% at small retail businesses despite traffic bump

Even at the holidays shoppers prioritized essentials, and inflation-adjusted discretionary sales at smaller stores fell 1.8% year on year, per Fiserv.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 6, 2026

Visa, Mastercard track roughly 4% US holiday retail sales growth

The 2025 holiday season saw consumers shopping across channels to land the best deals and maximize convenience, according to new reports. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 6, 2026

What shaped retail’s holiday season in 2025

It was a year of AI-generated gift recommendations, tariff upheaval and increased financial stress on shoppers.

By Retail Dive Staff • Jan. 6, 2026

Most consumers interacted with AI customer service during holiday shopping

Consumers’ response to AI and automation is largely positive, but a majority still say humans provide better support, a Liveops survey found.

By Bryan Wassel • Jan. 5, 2026

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 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

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

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

T.J. Maxx goes on holiday tour in a double-decker bus

The decked-out “Maxxinista Express” stops in multiple cities and takes superfans along for a full day of shopping. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 15, 2025