Consumers, inflation give hopeful Halloween retailers a dose of the scaries

Total Halloween spending is forecast to hit $12.2 billion this year, but rising wage and sugar costs are cutting into profits.

By Chris Gaetano • Oct. 30, 2023

Target to offer weekly deals through Black Friday weekend

The retailer is also bringing back its price match guarantee for the season, which will meet select competitors’ prices for two weeks after purchase.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 30, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

How retailers can win over shoppers during the holidays

Retailers are pulling all the levers to drive loyalty during the industry’s all-important quarter.

By Retail Dive staff

Stand out this holiday season: How WebAR can create unforgettable brand experiences

Learn how WebAR transforms holiday marketing with immersive experiences, driving engagement and conversions.

By Brynne Henn, Product Marketing Lead, Niantic • Oct. 30, 2023

Lowe’s rolls out gift center, holiday discounts for pros

With its holiday deals and gift assortment, the retailer aims to attract everyday homeowners and professional contractors.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 27, 2023

Barbie stokes Mattel’s Q3 sales, leaving Hasbro in the dust as holidays loom

The iconic doll's blockbuster movie has spurred a remarkable comeback. But the season still could be a tough one for toys.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 26, 2023

Neiman Marcus preps for the holidays with Christmas Book, Fantasy Gifts

As it courts high-end shoppers, the department store will also host in-store experiences like White Elephant parties and breakfast with Santa events.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 26, 2023

The Backroom: How the holidays are shaping up

With the first sales events of the season already come and gone, the team looks at the clues of how it will go this year.

By Retail Dive Staff • Oct. 26, 2023

Retail inventories are under control ahead of holidays: NRF CEO

Matthew Shay said inventory-to-sales ratios' return to pre-pandemic levels and his conversations with retail executives suggest the period of inflated stock levels are over.

By Edwin Lopez • Oct. 26, 2023

Inside J.C. Penney’s holiday marketing strategy

On the heels of a new $1 billion turnaround plan, the retailer’s seasonal push includes paid creators, video ads and a “Penney Prepper” challenge.

By Jessica Hammers • Oct. 25, 2023

September retail sales signal tepid holiday spending

This year, frugal consumers will likely continue to be careful and prioritize spending on experiences over goods, analysts say.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 24, 2023

Why holiday spending is going to the dogs

As prep for the holidays begins, pets are increasingly landing on consumers’ gift-buying lists — sometimes over other family members.

By Caroline Jansen • Oct. 24, 2023

Holiday spend expected to reach $1.6 trillion: ICSC

While more consumers plan to spend more this holiday season, a new survey suggests they will shop at fewer stores.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 23, 2023

Walmart, Angi partner on holiday light installation

Shoppers can purchase help from a professional Angi installer via QR codes in Walmart stores. 

By Kaarin Moore • Oct. 23, 2023

Gap looks to its heritage for ‘Gifted’ holiday marketing campaign

The seasonal effort includes a slew of partnerships and will span digital media, out-of-home, video, social media and Gap brand channels.

By Jessica Hammers • Oct. 23, 2023

Zulily pushes ‘Slay Button’ with Jonathan Van Ness for holidays

The button features five affirmations from the “Queer Eye” star designed to uplift moms during the often-chaotic shopping season.

By Jessica Hammers • Oct. 23, 2023

Kohl’s debuts front-of-store holiday gift shops

The retailer is rolling out deals, expanding its product assortment and launching a holiday gift guide at a critical time for the company. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 20, 2023

Etsy guarantees on-time delivery during the holidays

The e-commerce company is offering full refunds for gifts not delivered by their estimated date.

By Xanayra Marin-Lopez • Oct. 19, 2023

Holiday spending to surpass pre-pandemic levels: Deloitte

Shoppers are increasing their holiday budgets across income levels, but for those starting to repay student loans nearly half may cut back on spending.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 18, 2023

What holiday hiring efforts look like in 2023

As one of the latest to announce, Nordstrom said it plans to hire “thousands of employees” for store, supply chain and customer service roles.

By Retail Dive Staff • Updated Nov. 6, 2023

Toy retail rides pop culture wave to new heights

Leaders at Amazon and Mattel say movies and nostalgia help drive strong consumer interest for iconic brands ahead of the holiday shopping season.

By Nate Delesline III • Oct. 16, 2023

The Weekly Closeout: Nordstrom names HR chief and M&Ms wants to save the day this Halloween

Lisa Price returned to the department store, while the candy brand partnered with Gopuff to deliver last-minute treats on the holiday.

By Retail Dive Staff • Oct. 13, 2023

Prime Big Deal Days beat last year’s fall sale, Amazon says

The e-commerce giant said hundreds of millions of items sold but didn't disclose exactly how much consumers spent during the event. 

By Nate Delesline III • Oct. 13, 2023

Nearly half of Gen Z will buy holiday gifts on social media, survey finds

Many in the generation expect to spend more than last year and will shop earlier if retailers introduce discounts sooner, according to a Shopify report.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 13, 2023

Anthropologie, Pinterest partner on holiday showhouse

The companies are merging in-person and digital shopping through unique QR codes in every room of its Brooklyn Heights pop-up. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 12, 2023

Halloween is a $12B business. Why that couldn’t save Party City

The specialty retailer relies heavily on the holiday, but growing participation and spending wasn't enough to spare it from bankruptcy.

By Caroline Jansen • Oct. 10, 2023