The Weekly Closeout: Target’s home turnaround and Macy’s 100th parade countdown

Long lead times in the category mean a rebound will take time. Meanwhile, the department store is setting its sights on its centennial Thanksgiving Day Parade.

By Retail Dive Staff • Aug. 21, 2026

Michaels launches 3D digital frame builder

The retailer is harnessing 3D and AR technology to help shoppers preview frames in their spaces.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 20, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Retail Dive

From Saks’ post-bankruptcy path to the impact of GLP-1s, here’s a look at the stories shaping the industry.

By Retail Dive staff

Lululemon says it has ‘talented teams and leaders in place’ as communications chief exits

Bill Chandler will leave the company just days before incoming CEO Heidi O’Neill arrives.

By Cara Salpini • Updated Aug. 20, 2026

Kohl’s navigates choppy back-to-school season with another round of deals

The department store, which is leaning on value to woo back customers, just a few weeks ago priced thousands of school supplies under $25.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 19, 2026

Ted by Ted Baker debuts at Macy’s

The Authentic-owned brand is available at the retailer’s U.S. locations and online and offers a more relaxed silhouette than the main collection, which is carried at Bloomingdale’s.

By Lara Ewen • Aug. 19, 2026

Nike, Foot Locker debut hyperlocal community hub store in Los Angeles

A store concept debuting in the Crenshaw neighborhood aims to be both a shopping destination and community hub.

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 18, 2026

Walmart+ adds new in-store perks

The retailer debuted benefits related to its photo and money centers for users of its paid membership service.

By Dani James • Aug. 18, 2026

Crocs hatches new mascot Niles to enrich brand storytelling

The 6-foot-tall reptile, who appears in a new social series where he interacts with real employees, is expected to be a long-term fixture of Crocs’ marketing. 

By Peter Adams • Aug. 18, 2026

Under Armour ends partnership with The Rock amid marketing reset

The athletic brand said the decade-long relationship came to a “natural conclusion” just months after it parted ways with Steph Curry.

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 17, 2026

To lure in shoppers, J.C. Penney takes aim at off-price stores

In a new campaign the department store touts its fashion and home assortments as affordable, but superior to the finds at discounters.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 17, 2026

Michaels debuts new store format at 3 locations

The spaces include revamped department layouts, new personalization services and a self-checkout queue exclusive to rewards members.

By Dani James • Aug. 14, 2026

Shoe Station names chief marketing officer

Tracy Dick is now in the chief marketer role, following the company’s corporate name change earlier this summer. 

By Kaarin Moore • Aug. 13, 2026

L.L. Bean rolls out loyalty program with perks for a purpose

Alongside points accrual, the program offers members the chance to vote on the direction of $250,000 of L.L. Bean’s charitable investments.

By Kristen Doerer • Aug. 13, 2026

Target leans on newness for Halloween assortment

A majority of the retailer's festive collection is new in 2026, beating the drum on fresh merchandise being a core part of its turnaround.

By Dani James • Aug. 12, 2026

Rhone CMO on marketing at an inflection point for the apparel brand

“A Love Letter to NYC” arrives amid the growth of the brand’s retail and wholesale ambitions, as well as an evolution of performance apparel.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 12, 2026

Gap’s fall campaign enlists ‘Obsession’ star to promote denim

Ads show Hollywood breakout Inde Navarrette dancing alongside Malcolm Todd, who performs a new version of Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own.”

By Peter Adams • Aug. 11, 2026

Best Buy’s chief marketer exits, replaced by newcomer

Jennie Weber left the retailer after over 20 years at the company, with Chief Creative Officer Marty Senn taking over the position.

By Dani James • Aug. 10, 2026

Foot Locker reinforces role in sneaker culture with new brand platform

Chief marketer Brett O’Brien digs into the retailer’s “It Always Will Be Foot Locker” creative, which arrives as the business begins to turn around.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 10, 2026

The Weekly Closeout: Activist comes for Ethan Allen’s board, Rhode delivers for Elf

The investor wants his nominees to replace all of the furniture retailer’s directors, while Rhode helped E.l.f. Beauty achieve nearly 40% growth.

By Retail Dive Staff • Aug. 7, 2026

Claire’s revamps iconic piercing experience

The retailer is rolling out updated training, store displays, earrings and more as part of broader upgrades to its store service.

By Dani James • Aug. 6, 2026

Under Armour hits play on K-pop partnership

The company named BoyNextDoor as global brand ambassadors as it works on an Asia-Pacific rollout of its Bouncy Tee line.

By Lara Ewen • Aug. 5, 2026

Barbie is ready to be a ‘fashion icon’

While Mattel is entering a new chapter with the doll, it swung to a net loss in Q2.

By Kaarin Moore • Aug. 5, 2026

As the holidays near, two-thirds of shoppers are using AI

Consumers are looking to AI this holiday season to sift through products and search for bargains, according to Attentive.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 4, 2026

Express nods to its Y2K heyday in campaign that unites fashion, music

Chief Marketing Officer Joe Berean discusses a fall effort featuring pop star Tinashe and NFL player Tee Higgins that iterates on the retailer’s “Dress to Express” platform.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 4, 2026

Amazon customers are embracing Alexa for Shopping

The number of active users for the tech nearly doubled in the second quarter, with interactions up five times year over year, CEO Andy Jassy said.

By Bryan Wassel • Aug. 3, 2026