Ikea calls Uber and influencers for hearty 'Friendsgiving' promotion

The retailer’s partnership with Uber suggests it's looking to reach the ride-sharing app’s urban customers where they are spending time — on their phones. 

By Chantal Tode • Nov. 11, 2016

Survey: Speedy delivery top of mind for holiday shoppers

A Deloitte survey shows 83% of shoppers now consider “fast” shipping to mean delivery within two days, and free shipping is expected.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 11, 2016

Explore the Trendline➔

How retailers can win over shoppers during the holidays

Retailers are pulling all the levers to drive loyalty during the industry’s all-important quarter.

By Retail Dive staff

Wal-Mart rolls out mobile-exclusive Black Friday deals

With shopping visits on mobile devices set to outpace desktops this holiday season, the retail giant is steering deals and discounts to its flagship application.

By Corinne Ruff • Nov. 10, 2016

How retailers can sidestep the pitfalls of holiday season hiring

Retailers are bringing aboard the same number of seasonal hires as last year, but other changes are afoot. Here's how merchants can leverage technology for more productive, secure workplaces.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 10, 2016

Burberry trimming product offerings for the holidays

The upscale British fashion house is shifting its focus to its newest items, especially those selling well after its September runway show.  

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 9, 2016

Study: Retailers abandon generic mobile coupons during holidays

Only 8% of chief marketing officers plan on using generic mobile coupons this year, compared to 34% in 2015.

By David Kirkpatrick • Nov. 8, 2016

5 fashion experts size up what's hot for the holidays

Fashion is on pace to top gift purchases this season, driving half of all sales in a projected $656 billion holiday shopping market. Here's what's trending.

By Lara Ewen • Nov. 7, 2016

Kohl's launches Apple Watch sales to boost wellness business

The discount department store plans to feature the devices in its fitness sections rather than alongside other electronics.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 3, 2016

How retailers can maximize mobile revenues this holiday shopping season

More and more consumers are visiting retailers via mobile devices, but few are completing purchases. Here’s how merchants can turn mobile into a moneymaker. 

By Jason Ankeny • Nov. 2, 2016

Amazon rolls out Black Friday exclusives, app enhancements

The shopping app's new features allow customers to scan delivered packages to see what's in them without opening them and to compare real-life items with other product options.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 1, 2016

Moody's: Retail sector stable, healthy holiday sales ahead

Home improvement, dollar stores, specialty retail and off-price will drive revenues, while other segments — including department stores, apparel and footwear, office supply and discounters and warehouse clubs — face headwinds.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 1, 2016

Luxury handbag retailers scaling back assortments to revive demand

Competing on price can kill margins for any retailer, but it’s especially problematic for high-fashion companies because big price tags are part of their brand identity.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 31, 2016

Office Depot launches Black Friday deals before Halloween

Traditional definitions of Black Friday and Cyber Monday bargains are eroding as retailers amp up their promotions earlier than ever to capture shoppers’ attention.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 31, 2016

Target boosts Spanish-language ads for the holidays

The retailer is boosting spending on Spanish-language television ads by 67% this year to reach an increasingly important segment of its customer base.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 28, 2016

Adobe forecasts blockbuster $91B holiday retail season

Cyber Monday is set to be the largest online shopping day of all time, raking in a projected $3.36 billion in sales.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 28, 2016

UPS expecting record holiday deliveries as e-commerce continues to drive revenue

The shipping company is on pace to deliver more than 700 million packages between Black Friday and New Year’s Eve, up 14% from the same period in 2015. 

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 27, 2016

Wal-Mart boosts omnichannel, adds 'holiday helpers'

The retail giant will also ramp up in-store experiences with Santa Claus appearances and product demos.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 27, 2016

Deloitte: Retailers to see record web traffic over holidays

Fewer people this year plan to visit big-box retailers, malls and smaller, independent merchants.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 27, 2016

Apple forecasts tepid holiday season despite Samsung's weakness

The computing giant is projecting sales of $76 billion to $78 billion for the last three months of 2016, further rattling investors already spooked by competition and saturation in the global smartphone market.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 26, 2016

Target ramps up holiday exclusives, deals to combat Wal-Mart

Highlights include Wondershop, a store-in-store with over 2,000 seasonal items for shoppers' tree-trimming needs, including a one-of-a-kind Bullseye ornament.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 26, 2016

Best Buy repeats free holiday shipping

Shipping costs are consistently cited by holiday shoppers as an annoyance that sends them to stores or to rival retailers.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 25, 2016

Two biggest US mall companies staying open on Thanksgiving

Both Simon Property Group and General Growth Properties will open their doors to holiday shoppers.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 25, 2016

Why Macy's will open its doors on Thanksgiving Day, but Mall of America won't

Black Friday creep has pressured big-box retailers to open earlier and earlier, but some have emphatically announced they will close. Which strategy works best?

By Corinne Ruff • Oct. 24, 2016

4 product crazes that will dominate holiday shopping lists

This year, shoppers have dreams of electronics, VR headsets and tech-enabled toys running through their heads. Can retailers deliver on expectations?

By Sandy Skrovan • Oct. 24, 2016

REI expands #OptOutside campaign, won't open Black Friday

The outdoor retailer is shuttering all 149 of its stores on both Thanksgiving and Black Friday, processing no online sales and paying employees to take those days off and head outdoors instead.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 24, 2016