BJ's expands toy selection for the holidays

The club retailer is joining other mass merchants in taking advantage of the downfall of Toys R Us.

By Daphne Howland , Ben Unglesbee • Sept. 19, 2018

Holiday sales to grow 4% as e-commerce takes more share

An extra day between Thanksgiving and Christmas should help give retailers one of their best holiday seasons yet, according to Coresight Research.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 18, 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

Google rolls out shoppable images ahead of the holidays

The features aim to help marketers expand their reach during the holiday season, when 61% of consumers say they're open to buying from new retailers.

By Erica Sweeney • Sept. 17, 2018

August retail sales miss as gas prices rise

Disappointing retail sales last month are unlikely to dent holiday forecasts, unless tariffs force new challenges onto American consumers.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 17, 2018

Facebook unwraps holiday-themed overlays, video templates and personalized storefronts

Two unnamed major retailers increased their returns on ad spend by 40% after testing the new overlays, the social giant said.

By Erica Sweeney • Sept. 12, 2018

Location data is the gift everyone needs for the holidays

Use the insights you can glean from location data to prepare your holiday marketing strategy now and give yourself a gift of your own: a possible bump in sales.

Sept. 10, 2018

Target readies toy expansion ahead of the holidays

The mass merchant is just the latest taking steps to fill the gap opened by the demise of Toys R Us.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 5, 2018

Brick-and-mortar stores raked in 84% of holiday sales in 2017

Most holiday customers still head to stores, but even those sales now require online prowess, according to a report from Gartner L2.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 4, 2018

Walmart has big plans to cash in on Toys R Us' demise

The retail giant is planning to expand its toy assortment by 30% in stores and 40% online this holiday season now that there is $1.3 billion in U.S. toy sales up for grabs.

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 31, 2018

Seasonal hiring knows no season

The holiday rush may be months away, but some retailers are starting now when it comes to hiring seasonal workers. 

By Riia O'Donnell • Aug. 14, 2018

Over half of Prime Day shoppers planned ahead for the holiday

If Amazon's big July shopping holiday is an indicator, retailers aren't the only ones planning ahead for the critical holiday season, according to A.T. Kearney.

By Jacqueline Renfrow • Aug. 8, 2018

'Today' will be key word for deliveries this holiday season

Retailers are gearing up for a holiday season when same-day delivery of gifts will be expected, especially by last-minute shoppers, according to a survey by Dropoff.

By Dan Alaimo • June 28, 2018

Will J.C. Penney's turnaround ever end?

More than half a century ago, the department store retailer anchored itself to the American mall. But customers have moved on, and so has the CEO. 

By Ben Unglesbee • May 23, 2018

In search of the real J. Peterman

"Seinfeld," Oprah, venture capital, bankruptcy: Catalog retailer John Peterman has endured everything the world has thrown at him. Can his company survive the digital era and the aging of its customers?

By Ben Unglesbee • April 24, 2018

In the Toys R Us void, toy makers should target grocery

As the massive toy retailer winds down, producers can fill the gaps in their profit-and-loss statements by targeting supermarkets, writes Tim Hall, CEO of research firm Simporter and former Hasbro executive.

By Tim Hall • April 5, 2018

Walmart, Target poised to absorb lost Toys R Us sales

Vendors are left with hundreds of millions in unpaid bills — and one says Toys R Us accelerated purchases even knowing the end was near. 

By Ben Unglesbee • March 27, 2018

Toy maker working on bid for Toys R Us

As the ailing toy seller winds down U.S. operations, it's putting $2 billion in discounted toys on the market. In a "sad synchronicity" in timing, the chain's founder has also died.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 23, 2018

KB Toys plots a comeback as Toys R Us collapses

As the toy retailer winds down operations, a business that revives old brands is trying to bring back defunct KB Toys — with Toys R Us employees.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 21, 2018

Amazon reportedly interested in some Toys R Us stores

The e-tailer is looking to expand its physical footprint with parts from the bankrupt toy giant, according to Bloomberg. 

By Ben Unglesbee • March 20, 2018

How Toys R Us' bankruptcy hopes came crashing down

The toy seller entered Chapter 11 with the goal of a leaner, better business. Instead, a terrible holiday season sent it in a different direction. 

By Ben Unglesbee • March 15, 2018

Toys R Us to liquidate US business

Unable to meet the terms of a bankruptcy loan, the toy retailer is forced to liquidate domestic operations, though it might be able to salvage 200 stores.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 15, 2018

Dollar Tree's 13% sales growth not enough for Wall Street

The deep discounter increased earnings, same-store sales and its top line — to the tune of $6.36 billion — but fell short of analyst hopes on all counts.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 7, 2018

Retail defaults in 2018 could outpace last year

High debt, underinvestment, competition, changes in consumer spending and other factors that made 2017 abysmal for some retailers haven't gone away, according to S&P. 

By Ben Unglesbee • March 2, 2018

J.C. Penney cuts 360 jobs as sales miss

The department store retailer is slashing jobs at its corporate and support offices as it posts another loss for the year and fourth quarter sales that disappointed Wall Street. 

By Ben Unglesbee • March 2, 2018

Best Buy to close nearly 260 stand-alone mobile stores

As the electronics retailer winds down its mobile store fleet, it posted a massive sales rise at mainline stores.

By Daphne Howland • March 1, 2018