Adidas’ AR activation drops shoppers into a trash-filled virtual ocean

Immersing app users in a littered ocean around the holidays highlights environmental issues and shows how the brand turns plastic waste into shoes.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 20, 2019

Dick's Sporting Goods brings gear to life in CGI holiday spot

Videos of animation and live-action filming help tell the story of what happens in the retailer's store at night when the merchandise comes alive.

By Barry Levine • Nov. 20, 2019

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

What do consumers want for the holidays? Gift cards and clothes

Additionally, half of U.S. shoppers named free expedited shipping as their top desire from retailers, according to a recent McKinsey report. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 19, 2019

Tupperware opens holiday pop-up shop in SoHo

The "immersive store" will feature merchandise and artistic installations, as well as offer product demos.

By Lisa Rowan • Nov. 19, 2019

Saks creates multichannel experience for 'Frozen 2' holiday windows

The annual window unveiling will include a live event featuring a musical performance by Idina Menzel, who voices Elsa in the film.

By Dianna Christe • Nov. 19, 2019

Younger consumers more likely to shop during Thanksgiving weekend

Some 165 million people are planning to shop that week, and even those who aren't could be lured by too-good-to-miss deals, a new survey finds.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 18, 2019

A roundup of retail holiday deals

Some retailers are employing competitive pricing, but many are introducing compelling services and ease of logistics for shoppers as ways to compete. 

By Kaarin Moore , Daphne Howland , Ben Unglesbee , Cara Salpini , Caroline Jansen • Updated Dec. 9, 2019

What department stores gave up when they gave up on the holidays

Marketing around the season was once about wonderment and less about products and prices. That stoked loyalty — and sold toys.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 18, 2019

Target integrates Shipt into its mobile app

Shoppers will be able to access the same-day delivery service without a membership when they order on the retailer's app.

By Lisa Rowan • Nov. 15, 2019

As Gen Z turns away from makeup, beauty braces for an ugly holiday season

Ulta Beauty and Estée Lauder faced recent stock downgrades from Piper Jaffray. Analysts expect the category to be more promotional this year.​

By Cara Salpini • Nov. 13, 2019

PopSugar to launch experiential pop-up shop in NYC for the holidays

Sugar Chalet, which will be located in New York's Bryant Park Overlook, allows the multimedia website to connect with its audience offline.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 13, 2019

Saks, Sephora pilot Google’s local ads to drive store traffic

Google's local ads now have a more seamless integration with Maps, including branded pins that appear near travel routes.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 13, 2019

DSW to pop up in NYC with merchandise-free shop

The DSWGives Do Good Pop-Up will feature "interactive experiences" related to the company's philanthropic partners.

By Lisa Rowan • Nov. 13, 2019

Gen X will spend the most this holiday season

An age demographic survey from The NPD Group found that Gen Z will spend the least and baby boomers are already shopping for the holidays.

By Lisa Rowan • Nov. 12, 2019

Consumers to spend more than $200 on gift cards this year

On average, shoppers plan to allocate 35% of their total holiday shopping budgets on them, according to a Blackhawk Network BrandedPay report.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 11, 2019

More people will shop on mobile than desktop this holiday

A new report expects the retail conversion rate for Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2019 to increase nearly 30% over last year.

By Lisa Rowan • Nov. 11, 2019

Mobile apps pose lower risk of online shopping fraud

E-commerce fraud increases prior to the holidays but doesn't comprise many transactions.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 11, 2019

Leveraging nostalgia: How retailers can build on the warmth of holiday shopping

Tapping into a strong sense of community can build a bond with shoppers — and set retailers apart from the competition. 

By Kaarin Moore • Nov. 11, 2019

More than half of consumers may go into credit card debt for the holidays

The attitude toward holiday credit card debt varies across each generation. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 8, 2019

Retail Therapy: Hefty wants to do all the talking during the holidays

The brand released party cups with phrases like, "Don't Ask Me Who I'm Voting For" and "Accepting $, Not Advice" to make parties a little bit easier.

By Caroline Jansen • Nov. 8, 2019

Party City's October sales a 'disaster' with Halloween stores down 21%

Executives said the retailer hasn't lost market share in the physical channel for costumes, but the slowdown at the company's stores was so big that might be of scant consolation. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 8, 2019

Kohl’s lets Snapchatters virtually window shop through AR portal

An immersive "New Gifts at Every Turn" experience showcases exclusive merchandise for the holidays.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 7, 2019

Is the short holiday season an excuse for retailers to post soft sales results?

There are six fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, prompting several companies to begin promotional activity early.

By Caroline Jansen • Nov. 7, 2019

Joann entices holiday crafters with 3D printers, new tech

The move further proves the retailer sees value in investing in technology, both in its merchandise and in-store experience.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 6, 2019

Toys R Us Canada, Snapchat partner for AR experience

The toy retailer is integrating its holiday catalog with augmented reality features to showcase gifts.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 5, 2019