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

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

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

Lowe’s launches Black Friday deals in October

As shoppers seek Black Friday and Cyber Week discounts, Lowe’s is spreading out its sales events.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 12, 2026

Spirit Halloween to transform dozens of locations to Spirit Christmas

The spooky retailer will expand its Christmas concept, now in its third year, to 44 locations this season.

By Kaarin Moore • Oct. 12, 2026

Nearly half of shoppers are worried about affording holiday gifts this year

Concerns about the job market, as well as personal and household debt, are affecting how much consumers plan to spend this season, per an ICSC report.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 9, 2026

Online spend during Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days neared $10B in the US

The retailer’s two-day event drove sales at multiple stores including Walmart as consumers hunted for bargains and discounts ahead of the holiday rush.

By Lara Ewen • Oct. 9, 2026

Walmart debuts 1-hour express pickup, ASL service ahead of holidays

The mass retailer will expand the new pickup option nationwide in the upcoming weeks and is using Sorenson for in-store American Sign Language interpretation.

By Dani James • Oct. 8, 2026

Target’s turnaround has seen early success. Now come the holidays.

The mass retailer’s performance in recent quarters pleased analysts. But can it deliver the gift of consistency and value to consumers in Q4?

By Dani James • Oct. 6, 2026

Halloween spending creeps up this year

While budgets for the holiday increase, one in five shoppers plan to use buy now, pay later or other financing services, according to Deloitte.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 5, 2026

Target’s digital holiday catalog features toys — and a way to incorporate handwritten wish lists

The retailer’s kids catalog is focused on interactive experiences, including demonstrations and video reviews. 

By Kaarin Moore • Oct. 5, 2026

How retailers can make the most of the joy of holiday checkout

Smart retailers turn checkout satisfaction into lasting value. Here's how.

Oct. 5, 2026

Consumer AI use a boon for the holidays as AI traffic doubles

Consumers using AI engage with brands’ offers at a higher rate than non-AI traffic and generate more revenue per visit, a survey from Adobe found.

By Matt Vartabedian • Oct. 1, 2026

Holiday hiring is getting ‘smaller and more surgical’

Many of the biggest U.S. companies are staying quiet about their Q4 plans amid uneasy consumer confidence reports and shifting staffing models.

By Lara Ewen • Oct. 1, 2026

Retailers, consumers both on edge as the holidays approach

Shoppers will find lean inventories this season as they scour stores for the right items at the right price — and the hunt has already begun.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 29, 2026

Consumers aren’t just buying gifts this holiday season. They’re stocking up on essentials.

Total online spend in the U.S. will top $275 billion, according to Adobe, but many will use seasonal deals to stockpile necessities. 

By Lara Ewen • Sept. 28, 2026

Halloween spending expected to reach $13.5B

Shoppers are approaching the holiday “with affordability in mind,” and looking for ways to maximize value, according to a new report. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 24, 2026

The Backroom: A status check on Target’s turnaround

Since naming Michael Fiddelke CEO, the retailer has made headway on its recovery with sales and traffic growth despite the bumps along the way.

By Retail Dive Staff • Sept. 24, 2026

Longtime Christmas decor retailer files for bankruptcy

Gordon Companies Inc. — which operates Christmas Central, Christmas.com and more — filed for Ch. 11 bankruptcy protection just ahead of peak season.

By Dani James • Sept. 18, 2026

Dueling Amazon, Target October sales events return

With the holidays right around the corner, both retailers will hold deal days next month on everything from toys to groceries and apparel. 

By Dani James • Sept. 15, 2026

Best Buy launches holiday gifting center earlier than ever

The retailer is highlighting its shop-in-shops with Google and Meta as a way to entice holiday shoppers into stores this season.

By Dani James • Sept. 14, 2026

Kohl’s turns to Babies R Us as Sephora falters

The department store is bringing the brand to more stores and adding an exclusive collection. Meanwhile Sephora at Kohl’s sales are down this year.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 14, 2026

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