Price wars, investment costs dampen Moody's outlook on retail

Analysts with the ratings firm slashed their expectations for this year's growth in profit and sales, though not all sectors are feeling the pain.

By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 1, 2019

6 numbers that explain the fate of department stores

Too many stores, fierce competition and ebbing apparel sales are just the beginning.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 31, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

How artificial intelligence is shaping retail

More retailers are leaning on AI as a tool, tapping into the tech to improve customer service and support supply chain functions.

By Retail Dive staff

Nearly half of consumers will buy holiday gifts on Amazon

The e-commerce giant leads the way in online product searches in all product categories except for apparel, according to a new study.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 30, 2019

A quarter of consumers have already started holiday shopping

Online spending is expected to peak in November, according to a new survey from e-commerce platform Profitero.

By Lisa Rowan • Oct. 28, 2019

Has inclusive beauty really expanded the industry's palette?

Pioneers like Fenty Beauty pushed brands to think about who was being ignored, but change has been slow and many say there's more to be done.

By Cara Salpini • Oct. 28, 2019

Welcome back, Toys R Us. Your market is tougher than ever.

After knocking the retailer out of existence last year, Walmart, Amazon and Target took over the toy category. This holiday season, they're playing to lock down market share. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 28, 2019

What do people want this holiday season? Gift cards

Consumers on average will spend just under $1,050 during the holidays, according to a report by the National Retail Federation. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 25, 2019

Shoppers to spend more than $700 during the holidays

According to a study by The NPD Group, 25% of consumers expect to shop on their smartphones this season.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 25, 2019

Retail Therapy: 7 Halloween costumes we didn't know we needed

A "sexy" college admission scandal costume and scary adorable items for dogs round out the best and worst products available.

By Caroline Jansen • Oct. 25, 2019

Retailers market sustainable stores to lure eco-conscious customers

As shoppers weigh the environmental impact of their purchases, companies are realizing the ancillary benefits of going green. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 25, 2019

Holiday shopping kicked off in ... July?

A new survey from RetailMeNot indicates shoppers are distributing their holiday spending beyond November and December.

By Lisa Rowan • Oct. 21, 2019

At Costco 'everything resonates with the consumer'

The club retailer continues to post strong results quarter after quarter while many in the industry struggle to survive.

By Caroline Jansen • Oct. 21, 2019

How much does Halloween actually matter?

This year is expected to be the third-highest in terms of sales, but the glow of potential payoff — and the threat of disappointment — haunt some retailers.

By Cara Salpini • Oct. 21, 2019

Amazon ranks 3rd among the most valuable brands on Earth

Sportswear players, fast-fashion retailers and luxury brands also held some of the top spots among Interbrand's global rankings.

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 18, 2019

Retail Therapy: Neiman Marcus brings the holiday cheer

The retailer released its annual gift guide and it includes everything from a champagne vending machine to a $70,000 dog house.

By Caroline Jansen • Oct. 18, 2019

More holiday shoppers will spend at least $500 on gifts this year

How to reach holiday shoppers and how much they’ll spend varies by age and gender. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 18, 2019

Accenture: More consumers willing to share data when there's transparency

However, more than 75% of consumers said they are uncomfortable with data collection through microphones or voice assistants.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 17, 2019

Consumers pull back spending in September, snapping 6-month streak

The sales decline last month was an unpleasant surprise and hardly a good sign ahead of the holidays.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 16, 2019

Sole survivors: 5 national chains that outlasted their peers

Being the last retailer in a category might sound like an enviable spot, but it's almost never a "safe harbor," as retail's ghosts could tell you.

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 16, 2019

Madewell teams with ThredUp to sell secondhand jeans

The J. Crew-owned denim brand says it's scouring the reseller's available inventory for its own past favorites to sell at a few of its stores.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 15, 2019

Majority of consumers to shop in-store during the holidays

Shoppers anticipate spending more than last year, with more money going toward gift cards, an ICSC report finds.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 15, 2019

Moody's downgrades Ascena on 'persistent execution missteps'

Analysts acknowledged the company has some strengths but noted it is trying to effect a turnaround in a sector that is under siege.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 14, 2019

The 'retail apocalypse' is an apparel apocalypse

Most retailers in bankruptcy, or on the brink of it, sell clothes. Maybe that's their problem.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 14, 2019

6 ways retailers can win the holidays

It's a high stakes year, as retailers have closed nearly 7,300 stores thus far and 28 retailers are facing bankruptcy in the next 12 months.

By Kaarin Moore • Oct. 14, 2019

Women plan to shop online, on mobile this holiday season

Survey results from daVinci Payments show women intend to keep holiday spending consistent with last year's.

By Lisa Rowan • Oct. 11, 2019