The Latest
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Permission granted by SC Ports/Marion Bull
Tariffs may add to ‘a toxic brew for consumers’
Retailers and consumers will feel added pressure if proposed tariffs are implemented, industry analysts and experts told Retail Dive.
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Courtesy of Happy Returns
Returns — and their challenges — are rising. Here’s how retailers are responding.
Companies face a multifaceted balancing act of controlling costs, stopping fraud and maintaining engagement and flexibility for customers.
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Courtesy of National Retail Federation, Jason Dixson Photography
At NRF, 40,000 humans contemplate AI
Artificial intelligence is useful to many areas of retail, from sourcing to customer service, making it a hot topic during this year’s Big Show.
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Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
Joann files for bankruptcy for the second time in a year
The crafts retailer was forced back into Chapter 11 by the wider retail environment and its own financial and inventory woes, the company said.
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Courtesy of Spanx
Spanx adds new activewear collection
The line, called Spanxsmooth OnForm, features light compression and is designed for low-intensity exercise and casual dressing.
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jetcityimage via Getty Images
Ulta Beauty has big plans for its personalization efforts in 2025
The company’s strategy includes putting a customer-centric lens on operations and investing in methods that can drive customer lifetime value.
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Courtesy of Target
Target taps new execs to lead store and digital teams
Two longtime company veterans are retiring as part of the changes, which came as the retailer reported encouraging sales growth in the holiday season.
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Courtesy of Pacsun
Pacsun’s TikTok marketing won over Gen Z. What’s next amid ban anxiety?
At NRF, CEO Brieane Olson was optimistic that TikTok’s model could be replicated elsewhere in the case of a shutdown but feared for creators.
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Courtesy of American Eagle
How American Eagle’s chief marketer avoids AI’s ‘generic creative’ trap
At NRF’s Big Show, Craig Brommers addressed mounting production demands but said delegating more work to AI is a “scary” prospect.
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Courtesy of Princess Polly
A.k.a. Brands names CEO
Ciaran Long, chief financial officer since 2021, takes on the top spot, while the company’s global controller, Kevin Grant, has been named CFO.
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Courtesy of Jason Dixson Photography
Memorable quotes from NRF’s 2025 Big Show
Retail executives discussed the future of AI, the store experience and personalization at this year’s conference.
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Courtesy of Hydro Flask
Hydro Flask maker builds inventory, bracing for tariff impact
Helen of Troy is continuing to pursue diversified sourcing despite uncertainty around U.S. trade policies.
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Michaels names interim CEO team
The retailer’s president, chief financial officer and chief merchant will jointly lead daily operations as it searches for a permanent chief executive.
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Courtesy of Crate & Barrel
How can stores compete with speedy delivery? By slowing down.
Stores should stop trying to compete on e-commerce’s turf and focus on the sensory details and customer service unique to brick and mortar, according to WD Partners’ Lee Peterson.
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Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
Target cut its go-to-market timeframe from 7 months to 8 weeks. Here’s why.
The retailer has created an operating model that quickly enables it to bring new trends to consumers.
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Nordstrom raises 2024 guidance following holiday boost
Despite concerns going into the holiday season, the company’s namesake banner and Nordstrom Rack both reported sales and comps growth.
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Courtesy of Anthropologie
Anthropologie launches resortwear line
The Urban Outfitters, Inc.-owned brand is positioning its new label as a response to increased consumer interest in travel.
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Noah Berger/Getty Images for Amazon Web Services via Getty Images
Amazon to focus on inclusion, internal memo indicates
The changes outlined are vague, but Amazon has taken its previously strong commitments to Black and LGBTQ+ people off of its policy page.
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Noah Berger / Stringer via Getty Images
Amazon offers ad tech to retailers in retail media land grab
The cloud-based Amazon Retail Ad Service allows retailers to manage contextually relevant campaigns on their own e-commerce sites.
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Permission granted by Walmart
How Walmart’s latest brand refresh reinforces bigger digital ambitions
The first such update since 2008 for the big-box store introduces more vibrant colors and promotes its spark logo as a stronger stand-alone brand asset.
Updated Jan. 14, 2025 -
Authentic Brands Group names president
The company has tapped Matt Maddox, former CEO of hotel and casino company Wynn Resorts, to lead the company’s global brand growth.
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Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
Retail job cuts spiked in December
Downsizing in the critical holiday month was up more than 2,800% year over year, a report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas found.
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Permission granted by Amazon
Amazon to end Prime Try Before You Buy
AI feature adoption is reducing the need for physical try-ons, the company said.
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Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
Sephora to redesign entire North American store fleet
The changes range from minor updates to overhauls, as the beauty company embarks on the largest capital project in its history.
Updated Jan. 16, 2025 -
Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
Macy’s doubles down on its ‘three-brand portfolio’
CEO Tony Spring said that Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury are stronger together thanks to back-end synergies.
