Walmart steps up delivery, online alcohol availability as holidays near

The company is extending its delivery hours until 10 p.m., two hours later than it normally offers the service.

By Sam Silverstein • Oct. 26, 2021

Even if retail sales slow drastically during the holidays, they will still be stellar: Wells Fargo

Supply chain woes notwithstanding, the industry is riding such highs that even a worst-case scenario would yield a near-record season.

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 25, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

A look at the 2025 holiday season

From price-conscious shoppers to ever-changing tariffs, retailers have a lot to juggle this holiday season.

By Retail Dive staff

Alibaba Group kicks off Singles Day shopping festival with focus on sustainability

This year marks the 13th anniversary of the event, and features "green" vouchers to incentivize sustainable shopping decisions. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 25, 2021

Boo! 6 stories of retail hauntings

Retail is a harrowing business, and sometimes it can be downright scary.

By Daphne Howland , Ben Unglesbee , Cara Salpini , Kaarin Moore • Oct. 25, 2021

Deloitte: 75% of shoppers are worried about stockouts this year

Six in 10 retail executives are also worried about receiving holiday orders on time, the research firm found.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 22, 2021

Amazon launches in-store pickup, local delivery option for businesses

Amazon Local Selling may ease a friction point that is becoming increasingly tense heading into the 2021 holiday season — delivery. 

By Kaarin Moore • Oct. 22, 2021

Report: 85% of consumers will continue pandemic shopping behaviors this season

Alvarez & Marsal also found over half of shoppers expect their financial situation to stagnate or worsen in coming months, leading them to spend less.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 22, 2021

Target more than doubles Apple shop-in-shops in time for the holidays

Just months after its initial rollout, the retailer is expanding the number of dedicated stores from 17 to 36 locations.

By Maria Monteros • Oct. 20, 2021

Macy's reintroduces in-person Santa Claus visits, but this year they're 'contactless'

All visits are by reservation only, and while children can see the big man in red, the department store is running a "socially distanced experience."

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 19, 2021

Walmart unveils 3 Black Friday sales events, early access for Walmart+ members

The retail giant is leveraging Black Friday to boost memberships by giving subscribers special access to sales.

By Maria Monteros • Oct. 18, 2021

Gen Z plans to holiday shop via Facebook, retailer apps: report

Nearly 70% of young consumers plan to use nontraditional shopping channels for their Black Friday and Christmas purchases.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 18, 2021

Kohl's touts new brand partnerships ahead of the holidays

Over the past year, the department store has made deals to broaden its assortment through the likes of Eddie Bauer, Sephora and Tommy Hilfiger.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 18, 2021

12-foot skeletons, pet costumes and vaccines: Retailers get ready for a weird Halloween

With sales expected to boom, the holiday is an escape that many consumers are embracing after nearly two years of pandemic stress.

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 18, 2021

Best Buy starts Black Friday deals early amid supply chain woes

The retailer is offering deals to encourage consumers to shop early as widespread supply chain constraints loom over the season.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 15, 2021

As retailers shaped holiday hiring plans, 721K retail workers quit in August

Employers including retailers are having to raise wages and otherwise sweeten their offer in order to lure people to take openings.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 13, 2021

Walmart and Target reassure customers they'll be stocked amid global supply chain squeeze

The retail giants outlined proactive measures they have taken to get goods into the country and onto shelves. For their smaller peers, the pressure is tighter.

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 13, 2021

The majority of consumers plan to shop early this year: report

Research indicates that shoppers want to spend more this year, but they're taking advantage of holiday deals sooner.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 13, 2021

Consumers plan to spend about 25% more this holiday season: JLL

This year's holiday season could resemble pre-pandemic spending levels, but retailers are still facing product and labor shortages.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 12, 2021

Remember when Macy's was the one removing department store names?

Now it's facing the unfortunate prospect of another retailer's logo splashed upon its hometown flagship, just in time for its famous Thanksgiving parade.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 12, 2021

Sam's Club unveils first holiday catalog

The retailer is also holding twice as many shopping events throughout the season so its members can shop early. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 11, 2021

Retailers are betting on wage hikes, perks to woo workers ahead of the holidays. Will it work?

Employers are offering incentives like sign-on bonuses, tuition assistance and higher pay to staff up, but challenges remain.

By Maria Monteros • Oct. 11, 2021

Office Depot, OfficeMax launch 20-minute pickup guarantee

If an order isn't ready on time, shoppers get $20 off their next qualifying purchase. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 8, 2021

Simon malls to close on Thanksgiving

A few years ago the REIT insisted on keeping its shopping centers open on the holiday, but joins other retailers in shutting down.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 8, 2021

REI to close on Thanksgiving, Black Friday for the seventh year in a row

As in past years, the outdoor retailer is asking its staff and the public to #OptOutside and enjoy the outdoors instead of shopping. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 7, 2021

USPS moves forward with extended delivery times despite concerns

A regulator said it was worried the shift would lead to deteriorating service. The Postal Service said the opposite will happen.

By Max Garland • Oct. 6, 2021