Premium toys drive US toy market rebound

Shoppers have turned away from more affordable options in favor of toys at higher price points, according to Circana.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 27, 2026

The Weekly Closeout: Walmart agrees to $100M FTC settlement and Puma posts double-digit declines

The government agency alleges that the big-box retailer deceived delivery drivers regarding their pay, while the athletic brand’s net sales fell 27% in Q4.

By Retail Dive Staff • Feb. 27, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Retail Dive

From Target’s path forward under a new CEO to the retailers most vulnerable to bankruptcy, here’s a look at the stories shaping the industry.

By Retail Dive staff

Will Gap’s new loyalty program meet the moment?

Special perks are not enough anymore, especially for a brand attempting to regain a place in the cultural conversation.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 25, 2026

MAC Cosmetics to enter Sephora US

As part of a broader strategy from parent company Estée Lauder to expand distribution channels, the beauty brand is moving into Sephora’s stand-alone locations as well as Sephora at Kohl’s stores.

By Howard Ruben • Feb. 25, 2026

Fragrance brand Scents Unearth’d launches exclusively at Target

The brand’s five scents highlight cultures and ingredients from around the world and are available on Target’s website and in stores nationwide.

By Howard Ruben • Feb. 24, 2026

Outdoor Voices brings spring collection to Sam’s Club

A limited-edition assortment includes boys’ and girls’ products and is priced lower than the apparel brand’s core offering.

By Howard Ruben • Feb. 24, 2026

The fractured, fragile US consumer

There are various reasons why spending in the U.S. remains strong despite low consumer confidence, and it’s not just about having higher incomes.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 24, 2026

Bath & Body Works launches on Amazon

Up to $80 million in gray market sales were already occurring on the platform, CEO Daniel Heaf said. An official U.S. storefront is a way to reignite the brand. 

By Kaarin Moore • Feb. 23, 2026

Target expands Levi’s denim to 150 additional stores

The mass retailer will sell Levi’s at over 1,000 locations by the end of 2026, feeding into a new merchandising strategy under CEO Michael Fiddelke.

By Dani James • Feb. 23, 2026

The Weekly Closeout: New Balance hits record sales in 2025, Chinese Laundry acquired

The sportswear brand brought in $9.2 billion in annual sales, while the apparel company and its sibling brands were added to Gordon Brothers’ portfolio.

By Retail Dive Staff • Feb. 20, 2026

Williams-Sonoma to test ads in ChatGPT

The home retailer is partnering with OpenAI to reach customers at decision-making moments and enhance product discovery.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 18, 2026

Why brands need to optimize their mobile apps and websites for AI

Brands have built their digital experiences on Google’s search algorithm, but that needs to change as consumer behavior evolves, experts say.

By Michael Brady • Feb. 18, 2026

Spanx relaunches swimwear

The brand, which first entered the category in 2018, is offering three different compression levels in its latest swimwear collection.

By Howard Ruben • Feb. 18, 2026

Pinterest ‘not satisfied’ with Q4 revenue, points to tariffs

The company said large retailers have been disproportionately impacted by tariffs and thus have been pulling back on ad spend in order to protect margins.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 18, 2026

DTC rug brand Ernesta opens Dallas showroom

The 1,256-square-foot space, which features an area for one-on-one consultations, marks the brand’s sixth store.

By Howard Ruben • Feb. 17, 2026

Chubbies launches women’s swimwear brand

The stand-alone brand, dubbed Cheekies, launches with bikinis, one-piece suits and cover ups priced between $45 and $110.

By Howard Ruben • Feb. 17, 2026

[Podcast] Decoded: The New Consumer

This podcast uncovers how AI, influencers, and shifting consumer habits are reshaping the future of retail.

By Retail Dive's studioID • Feb. 17, 2026

TikTok Shop spurs Crocs, Heydude DTC sales

Overall, Crocs finished 2025 with a Q4 that beat expectations, and executives even expect struggling Heydude to return to growth later this year.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 13, 2026

The Weekly Closeout: Tree Hut’s Gen Alpha brand — and will Lululemon’s new training line hit?

The body care company is launching “Splash” to appeal to a younger audience, while the activewear brand is pushing past its latest leggings snafu to debut a new fabric.

By Retail Dive Staff • Feb. 13, 2026

Estée Lauder sues Walmart over alleged counterfeits

The cosmetics giant says the big-box retailer is permitting the sale of fakes on its marketplace that target brands including La Mer and Tom Ford.

By Dani James • Feb. 12, 2026

A look inside Skims’ first Chicago flagship

The brand is expanding its brick-and-mortar presence after landing a $225 million funding round at the end of last year. 

By Kaarin Moore • Feb. 12, 2026

Target to test contextual ads in ChatGPT, including through Roundel

Bringing Roundel brands to ChatGPT suggests retail media networks could be a bridge for larger AI chatbot advertising adoption. 

By Peter Adams • Feb. 12, 2026

Nordstrom enlists luxury brands for 125th anniversary celebration

The department store is celebrating the whole year, with activations from the likes of Chanel and Christian Louboutin, limited-edition products and an even bigger Anniversary Sale. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 11, 2026

American Eagle offers creators rewards to keep content flowing

The AE Creator Community is anchored on a rewards system that incentivizes creators to participate in regular challenges around content sharing. 

By Peter Adams • Feb. 11, 2026

The latest evolution at Victoria’s Secret is an expanded T-shirt bra line

According to Victoria’s Secret Brand President Anne Stephenson, the retailer has updated craftsmanship and is leaning into products that are both comfortable and sexy.

By Dani James • Feb. 11, 2026