The holidays should be OK for retailers that try hard enough

Sustaining robust sales growth into Q4 will mean sharp vendor negotiations — and a keen understanding of the customer, analysts say.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 17, 2025

Holiday retail sales projected to grow 4%, below 10-year average

While in-store sales are expected to grow 2.75% from last year, e-commerce sales growth is slowing, according to a recent report from Bain & Company.

By Howard Ruben • Sept. 17, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

The state of holiday shopping and the consumer

Consumers are signaling they want value when it comes to quality, convienence and experiences that feel worth the investment. 

By Retail Dive staff

Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days event returns in October

The sale, which marks the company’s kickoff to the holiday shopping season, is scheduled for Oct. 7 and Oct. 8. 

By Kaarin Moore • Sept. 16, 2025

Target doubles new merchandise, expands next-day delivery for the holidays

The mass retailer, which is in the midst of a turnaround, will also bring back its Target Circle Week savings event in October.

By Dani James • Sept. 16, 2025

How J.C. Penney is preparing for the holidays with laugh-out-loud deals

Marketing chief Marisa Thalberg discusses how marketers can engage holiday shoppers amid economic uncertainty.

By Chris Kelly • Sept. 15, 2025

Gen Z pullback could send holiday sales down 5%: PwC

Older generations are cutting back a bit or even spending more, but these younger consumers’ budgets are down nearly a quarter, the firm found.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 11, 2025

Holiday sales could grow up to 3.4%: Deloitte

The firm predicts that sales between November and January could reach $1.62 trillion, with e-commerce sales projected to grow up to 9%.

By Howard Ruben • Sept. 10, 2025

Consumer sentiment declines as price sensitivity persists

Consumers are tightening their purse strings and prioritizing essentials while cutting back on discretionary goods.

By Kristen Doerer • Sept. 8, 2025

De minimis’ end: How shippers are adapting for peak season and beyond

Experts foresee hurdles in both pricing and logistics for importers that have relied on the duty exemption for sub-$800 goods.

By Max Garland • Sept. 4, 2025

Walmart ties marketplace to stores, debuts AI seller tools

The retailer is piloting brick-and-mortar access to online sellers and reducing some fees for top selling products ahead of the holidays.

By Dani James • Aug. 27, 2025

Macy’s partners with Amazon for retail ads ahead of holiday season

The retailer will pilot Amazon Retail Ads Service, which allows the tech giant to serve as a third-party provider of ad-serving capabilities.

By Aaron Baar • Aug. 27, 2025

Over half of holiday shoppers plan to use AI to compare prices, search for products

Consumers are shopping earlier and leveraging AI tools to find the best deals amid a holiday season clouded with economic uncertainty, per a new report.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 14, 2025

After 3 years of consistency, toy prices are on the rise

The industry is showing strength, as consumers are anticipating even higher prices, according to a Circana report.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 11, 2025

Holiday 2025: 26 days to make every moment count

To win in this year's condensed and cutthroat holiday season, brands need to operationalize agility.

By Melissa Tatoris, VP Retail, Zeta Global • Aug. 11, 2025

Retail buyers are reacting to tariffs with AI and early orders

A Deloitte report found the industry is using the tech to navigate a shifting trade environment — and making holiday buys two months earlier than last year.

By Dani James • Aug. 6, 2025

Retail job cuts spike nearly 250% from last year

A Challenger, Gray & Christmas report points to tariffs and broader economic uncertainty as the catalysts driving a retail workforce contraction. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 4, 2025

Shoppers to go into credit card debt, use BNPL to afford the holidays

U.S. consumers aren’t shifting away from spending, but they are strategically approaching how to afford purchases, according to a new report. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 29, 2025

Macy’s brings back ‘Black Friday in July’ sale

In addition to deals on clothing, accessories and beauty products, the department store is also dropping a curated selection of holiday items.

By Howard Ruben • July 25, 2025

Back-to-school shoppers avoiding price hikes by reusing supplies, buying cheaper brands

Most consumers said higher prices are impacting their choices this year, according to a new ICSC report.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 24, 2025

Target unveils ‘Back-to-School-idays’ savings event

The mass retailer is bringing back in-store personalization services for select gear and building on previous Circle Week school discounts. 

By Dani James • July 22, 2025

Why JanSport revived its cringeworthy back-to-school ads to reach Gen Z

The backpack maker’s TikTok-focused effort returns for a second year after an initial run led to the brand’s highest grossing sales day in history.

By Jessica Hammers • July 16, 2025

Consumers to cut back on essentials to cover holiday purchases

Spending won’t drop, but higher costs mean shoppers will make trade-offs in every category this season, according to an Inmar Intelligence report.  

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 15, 2025

Walmart offers some back-to-school supplies at lower prices this year

The retailer brought back its one-click school lunch basket and also announced the launch of private label tween brand Weekend Academy.

By Dani James • July 15, 2025

J.C. Penney to hold down prices for back to school, holiday despite Q1 declines

Sales and profit slumps were relatively modest, a sign the department store’s merchandising and marketing efforts are paying off.

By Daphne Howland • July 8, 2025

Online summer sales expected to be the equivalent of ‘two Black Fridays’

Events including Amazon Prime Day are expected to boost digital sales as price-conscious consumers seek discounts, per Adobe.

By Dani James • July 8, 2025