Consumer Trends
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Permission granted by Big Lots
ColumnThe Weekly Closeout: Ulta’s future and Big Lots’ store-saving deal
The beauty retailer named a new CEO while Big Lots closed on a sale agreement that will enable it to keep hundreds of stores open.
By Retail Dive Staff • Jan. 10, 2025 -
Courtesy of Bluestar Alliance
These 5 tween retailers once dominated the space. Here’s where they are now.
Brands like Wet Seal and Delia’s have since faded from the spotlight as stores failed to keep up with the changing needs of new generations.
By Xanayra Marin-Lopez • Jan. 9, 2025 -
Trendline
The state of small business
Disruptions from the pandemic, e-commerce and broader economic trends continue to bedevil operations for small businesses.
By Retail Dive staff -
Courtesy of Instacart
Holiday e-commerce hits a record as shoppers choose phones over stores
Consumers sought out deals but inflation didn’t really tamp down demand during the season, according to the latest figures from Adobe Analytics.
By Daphne Howland • Jan. 8, 2025 -
Nastasic via Getty Images
Holiday shoppers spent global record $1.2 trillion online
Both retailers and consumers used AI to enhance shopping experiences. But consumers have also returned 28% more merchandise than last year, according to Salesforce.
By Nate Delesline III • Jan. 7, 2025 -
stock photo via Getty Images
Over a third of consumers took on debt this holiday season
By generation, millennials took on the most, while baby boomers took on the least, according to a recent LendingTree survey.
By Howard Ruben • Jan. 6, 2025 -
kajakiki via Getty Images
Retailers lost $103B in fraudulent returns and claims in 2024
Fraudulent returns accounted for about 15% of the projected $685 billion in returns last year, per a recent report from Appriss Retail and Deloitte.
By Howard Ruben • Jan. 3, 2025 -
Did Costco just reset the narrative around DEI?
In contrast to a slew of companies, the warehouse retailer has forcefully rejected an anti-DEI shareholder proposal as bad for business.
By Daphne Howland • Jan. 3, 2025 -
Kendall Davis/Retail Dive
Podcast
The Backroom: Doug Stephens looks to 2025 and beyond
The retail and brand expert discusses the hype around AI, how marketers can preserve human creativity and his optimism about the future.
By Retail Dive Staff • Dec. 26, 2024 -
Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
Party City to close all stores in bankruptcy
About 14 months after emerging from Chapter 11, the retailer finds itself in bankruptcy court once again. This time, it’s liquidating.
By Caroline Jansen • Dec. 23, 2024 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Electronic sales rebound during Black Friday, Cyber Monday period
After eight straight quarters of revenue declines in the sector, spending grew 3.5% during the two weeks ending Dec. 7, according to Circana analysis.
By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 20, 2024 -
NoSystem images via Getty Images
Nearly half of Gen Z shoppers to buy holiday gifts from Chinese marketplaces
Though U.S. shoppers are slow to trust it, Temu has become the top Chinese e-commerce platform, surpassing competitors like Shein and TikTok Shop, an Omnisend survey found.
By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 19, 2024 -
Emily Elconin via Getty Images
Nearly half of consumers feel ignored by marketers: Here’s what the numbers say
Among consumers who feel ignored, 75% would rather support brands that align with their values, iHeartMedia’s research found.
By Sara Karlovitch • Dec. 18, 2024 -
Nate Delesline III/Retail Dive
Over 157M expected to shop in stores, online on Super Saturday
According to the NRF, half of those with shopping to finish will do so online, while 37% will head to department stores.
By Nate Delesline III • Dec. 17, 2024 -
Courtesy of Target
5 retailers that need a great 2024 holiday season
Some companies are coming off a tough quarter, while others switched leadership or are dealing with changing consumer behavior. But all of these retailers need a W.
By Kaarin Moore • Dec. 17, 2024 -
Courtesy of Perfect Corp.
Over half of holiday shoppers already use or plan to use AI
According to Perfect Corp., which offers AI and AR solutions to retailers, consumers are looking for personalized experiences.
By Xanayra Marin-Lopez • Dec. 12, 2024 -
Anna Gorbacheva via Getty Images
Shoppers projected to return $890B in merchandise this year
According to an estimate by the National Retail Federation, returns will amount to 16.9% of retailers’ annual sales in 2024.
By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 12, 2024 -
Courtesy of Target
Walmart’s Bettergoods, Target’s Dealworthy are fastest-growing private labels
A recent Numerator report found that both brands, which launched earlier this year, have already reached a notable number of households.
By Howard Ruben • Dec. 11, 2024 -
Kaarin Moore/Retail Dive
Black Friday weekend shopping traffic exceeds NRF predictions
More consumers made purchases during the period than anticipated, and both stores and mobile shopping saw gains year over year.
By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 5, 2024 -
Kaarin Moore/Retail Dive
Simon sees traffic bump during Black Friday weekend
The mall company has bucked the trend of declining in-store traffic during the industry’s busiest shopping period.
By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 3, 2024 -
Anchiy via Getty Images
Nearly 75% of baby boomers plan to use pay-later services this holiday season
Consumers in that generation are often on fixed incomes and mindful of avoiding high-interest credit card debt, according to Splitit CEO Nandan Sheth.
By Howard Ruben • Dec. 3, 2024 -
iStock.com
Sponsored by MarigoldThe critical role of loyalty programs during the holiday shopping season
Unlock holiday success with loyalty programs that deliver value, insights and lasting connections.
By Roger Willams, Director of Loyalty Center of Excellence at Marigold • Dec. 2, 2024 -
Kena Betancur via Getty Images
Winners and losers of Black Friday 2024
With deals all spread out and e-commerce surging even on Thanksgiving Day, the red-letter event seems to be losing its punch.
By Daphne Howland • Nov. 30, 2024 -
Kendall Davis/Retail Dive
Podcast
The Backroom: Amazon Haul and the state of retail
Join Retail Dive Senior Reporter Daphne Howland and Rick Watson, founder and CEO of RMW Commerce, as they unpack recent retail stories including Amazon’s answer to Temu, Walmart’s progress and Target’s struggles.
By Retail Dive Staff • Nov. 28, 2024 -
misuma via Getty Images
Nearly 30% of shoppers will purchase beauty as a holiday gift
Headed into the season prestige beauty sales are up, with Gen Alpha contributing to growth in the segment.
By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 20, 2024 -
Emily Elconin via Getty Images
Consumers plan to spend $125B over Thanksgiving weekend
That’s about $5 billion less than shoppers spent during the five-day period in 2023, according to a recent survey from ICSC.
By Howard Ruben • Nov. 20, 2024
