A 2018 holiday marketing guide to data-driven campaigns

Digital ad experts offer ways to improve traditional retargeting with personalization based on AI and other technologies.

By Shane Schick • Oct. 19, 2018

Retailers dreaming of a green Christmas without Toys R Us

Everyone in retail, it seems, is playing in the toy game this year after the country's biggest toy store liquidated. But will there really be any surprises about who wins?

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 19, 2018

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

Amazon may be the Grinch of holiday hiring this year

Competitors are upping wages in a bid to compete with the e-commerce giant and meet ambitious hiring goals, but will it pay off?

By Riia O'Donnell • Oct. 18, 2018

Target clears 250K square feet of space for toy experiences

The mass merchant has revamped toy sections in more than 100 stores, and more than 500 will have enlarged spaces for play areas and family events.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 18, 2018

More holiday consumers plan to shop both online and in stores

Plans for shopping online have increased among consumers this year, but brick-and-mortar retailers are also getting a bigger piece of the pie, both online and off.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 18, 2018

Black Friday poised to edge out Cyber Monday this year

Despite the lasting relevance of Black Friday, more holiday shoppers are moving online rather than heading into stores for the sales day.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 16, 2018

Macy's will open 5 p.m. Thanksgiving Day

Plenty of retailers are shuttering for the holiday, but not all stores can afford that decision. 

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 15, 2018

5 lessons from holiday 2017 to keep in mind this season

Last holiday season was a bountiful one for retailers across the board, and this one is anticipated to be even more profitable if common pitfalls are avoided.

By Corinne Ruff • Oct. 12, 2018

How to make the most of influencer marketing this holiday season

By adding influencer content into the mix, brands may be able to grab consumers' attention at a time when many are bombarded with product promotions, seasonal ads and deals.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • Oct. 12, 2018

New York Post: Buzzfeed opening toy store in time for the holidays

The plans, if true, reflect both the opportunity left by the demise of Toys R Us and the appeal of New York City for brick-and-mortar retail.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 12, 2018

Good thing J.C. Penney's new merchandiser is the CEO

Can Jill Soltau bring the struggling department store the turnaround it's been waiting for? There isn't much time to find out.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 11, 2018

FAO Schwarz to return to New York City

The next phase of the iconic retailer's comeback, which also includes an overseas expansion, begins just in time for the holidays.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 11, 2018

Tis the season…for holiday returns

With the holiday season underway, learn how your returns can become a strategic asset rather than a dreaded post-holiday afterthought.

Oct. 9, 2018

Holiday sales growth could temper this year

Retailers have reason for optimism this season, but signs that sales growth could ease will keep them on their toes.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 8, 2018

Here's who is making moves in 2018 holiday hiring

As the season unfolds, we're making a list (and checking it twice) of who is hiring and how it stacks up against last year's strong holiday season. Here's a look at holiday staffing so far.

By Ben Unglesbee • Updated Oct. 19, 2018

NRF expects holiday sales spike of up to 4.8%

The trade association credits a strong economy and the healthy state of retail for the positive forecast.  

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 4, 2018

Wayfair plots 2 holiday pop-ups

The online furniture company is turning to brick and mortar as it struggles to conquer online furniture retail.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 4, 2018

Millennials set to spend the most at the holidays

The demographic is choosing retailers that demonstrate awareness of social and political issues important to them, according to an Accenture study.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 2, 2018

More than 60 major retailers to close on Thanksgiving

Many retailers are content to take in sales online and avoid the bad publicity of being open on the holiday, but others can't afford to cede the day to Amazon.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 2, 2018

Will AR bring joy to holiday marketing?

The immersive tech is likely to play a more prominent role this holiday season across advertising, mobile shopping and even in stores.

By Dianna Christe • Oct. 1, 2018

The holidays, in this economy?

Retailers are poised to rack up their best sales in years this season, thanks to healthy consumer fundamentals. But the economy is showing some cracks.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 28, 2018

More holiday shoppers heading to stores, and earlier

People of all ages head to stores for fun at the holidays, according to research from cloud-based retail and workforce platform Natural Insights.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 28, 2018

Retailers warn of price hikes as China tariffs take hold

Companies won't face the worst of the new policy until after the holidays, but prices are likely to rise and margins will be squeezed, and that could worsen as tariffs rise again next year.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 24, 2018

Halloween spending to hit $9B

The strong economy will help keep spending high, though it won't quite reach last year's record, according to the National Retail Federation's annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 21, 2018

Holiday sales could top $1.1T

Sales during the season could grow up tp 5.6%, and e-commerce is set to grow even more, as long as consumers stay confident, according to Deloitte.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 20, 2018