Can this year's department store recovery last?

The sector is having a good holiday season after bouncing back this year as consumers refreshed their closets. But its problems haven't gone away.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 20, 2021

Cultivating consumer loyalty amidst supply chain challenges

As retailers strive to woo shoppers into a long-term relationship, supply chain hiccups can sabotage those efforts — but it doesn't have to.

Dec. 20, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Digital innovation and technology trends in retail

Generative AI and TikTok Shop have replaced the metaverse and NFTs as the hot topics of the day — here’s a look at how brands are using them.

By Retail Dive staff

Feds increase scrutiny of buy now, pay later

Concerned over consumer debt, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is demanding information from five of the biggest players in the BNPL space.

By Lynne Marek , Jonathan Berr , Caitlin Mullen • Dec. 17, 2021

The Weekly Closeout: Target to launch 'Bet on Black' startup pitch competition

The retailer will provide mentorship and a total of $500,000 in funding. Meanwhile, Janie and Jack names a new CEO and Bark comes to REI.

By Retail Dive Staff • Dec. 17, 2021

Consumers could return $66.7B in holiday merchandise this year

For retailers, the cost of returns is also going up, according to a report from CBRE.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 17, 2021

Lowe's warns comps could fall by as much as 3% in 2022

The home improvement retailer experienced a boost at the onset of the pandemic, but executives said demand may be waning.

By Caroline Jansen • Dec. 16, 2021

Retail has more — but slower — growth ahead in 2022: Moody's

After a heady comeback this year, the industry could settle in to a more modest pace, with supply chain, spending changes and debt levels posing some risk. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 16, 2021

Gen Zers relied on buy now, pay later during the holidays. It's time to pay up.

What may be a beneficial feature to retailers poses risks to young consumers who've increasingly flocked to installment services.

By Maria Monteros • Dec. 13, 2021

The retail rebound: What's driving shoppers to stores this holiday season

Accommodate your retail consumers by implementing physical and digital shopping experiences.

Dec. 13, 2021

The Weekly Closeout: J.C. Penney partners with Sports Illustrated, and Pacsun introduces gender-neutral fragrance

An apparel collection from the department store and magazine will drop early next year, while Pacsun for All expands on the retailer's recent offerings.

By Retail Dive Staff • Dec. 10, 2021

Holiday sales could surpass previous predictions, reach 11.5%: NRF

Yet, the omicron variant could further complicate the shopping season and is "the latest wildcard raising uncertainty around the economic outlook."

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 6, 2021

With omicron landing in the US, do retailers actually need the vaccine mandate?

The National Retail Federation won a stay against the government's plan to have big companies immunize or test their employees. That squanders a chance to thwart the pandemic, experts say.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 6, 2021

Popsugar releases first fitness equipment line at Target

The 17-item collection, which will be available in the retail giant's stores and on its website, features products like yoga mats, dumbbells and kettlebells.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 3, 2021

NRF: Thanksgiving weekend shoppers decline for second year in a row

Consumers spent $301.27 on holiday purchases this year, down from $311.75 last year.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 2, 2021

Buy now, pay later orders up 34% this holiday: Afterpay

The service, which has been gaining steam over the past several years, proved especially useful over the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping periods.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 2, 2021

Cyber Monday sales edge down to $10.7B as consumers make a dent in their holiday shopping

Online sales fell 1.4% year over year, but the red-letter event was still the biggest shopping day of the year so far, Adobe said.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 30, 2021

Winners and losers of Black Friday 2021

Vaccinations have made in-store shopping possible and even fun, but this holiday season remains complicated.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 27, 2021

The Backroom: Another disruptive holiday season

Vaccines have changed the shopping landscape this year, as have supply chain bottlenecks. Retail Dive reporters look at how the season is playing out.

By Retail Dive Staff • Nov. 25, 2021

NPD: Fragrance expected to boost beauty sales this holiday

More than a quarter of U.S. shoppers are planning to buy a beauty product for the holidays, the report found.

By Cara Salpini • Nov. 23, 2021

The Weekly Closeout: Amazon clashes with Visa and Petco posts 'record' Q3

The e-commerce giant said it will no longer accept United Kingdom-issued Visa credit cards for transactions, while the pet retailer reported double-digit growth in owned brands.

By Retail Dive Staff • Nov. 19, 2021

ICSC: 86% of consumers will shop over Thanksgiving weekend

Shoppers are nearly evenly split in their decision to shop in stores versus online on Thanksgiving Day. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 19, 2021

Home Depot, Lowe's top estimates in Q3

The retailers lapped 2020's figures when demand in the category skyrocketed. But winning over the pro segment may be key to maintaining that strength.

By Caroline Jansen • Nov. 17, 2021

ThredUp: Supply chain challenges could push shoppers to thrift this season

Discounts, environmental concerns and item rarity are drivers for secondhand purchases, the resale marketplace found.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 16, 2021

A new breed of retail shoppers: remote workers

For retailers, emerging work-from-anywhere habits bring new opportunities to attract shoppers.

Nov. 15, 2021

David's Bridal launches ready-to-ship bridesmaid dress collection

Product availability may alleviate supply chain concerns and responds to a trend of shorter times between engagement and wedding events.

By Kaarin Moore • Nov. 12, 2021