The Backroom: What Black Friday tells us about retail in 2021

The shopping holiday was defined by the COVID-19 pandemic. Its trends and repercussions will likely follow the industry into the next year. 

By Retail Dive Team • Dec. 17, 2020

Retailers did not achieve one-day delivery in 2020: study

Companies took about three days to fulfill orders, while brick-and-mortar locations leveraged BOPIS and curbside pickup services.  

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 17, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

A look at the 2024 holiday season

Technology will play a key role in holiday sales this year, Adobe revealed in its latest holiday report. 

By Retail Dive staff

The pandemic economy weighs on retailers in November

The results could have been worse, given the government's failure to renew financial support to consumers and businesses amid the holiday season.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 16, 2020

Bed Bath & Beyond, Shipt partner on same-day delivery promotion

Free, same-day delivery will be available for a limited time as part of an effort to help customers beat the holiday shipping rush. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 15, 2020

Retailers' best e-commerce asset may be their brick-and-mortar stores

In a rare vulnerability for Amazon, research is piling up that customers want omnichannel services for both shopping and returns. 

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 14, 2020

What's selling in 2020's holiday season

This year, consumers sought out comfort over experiences.

By Caroline Jansen • Dec. 14, 2020

Package delay rate could be up to 2 times worse this holiday season: report

Densely populated areas including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago are expected to face record delays. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 10, 2020

Consumers are spending less this holiday season: survey

But, they are shopping online due to convenience, deals and free shipping — a trend that may stick around even after the pandemic.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 9, 2020

CBRE: Holiday sales expected to generate $70.5B in returns

Logistics providers face capacity constraints during peak season, but expanded networks should help retailers with returns after the holidays. 

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 9, 2020

Best Buy extends curbside pickup hours for holiday shopping

In a holiday season where online is king, the electronics retailer is preparing for increased orders with more delivery options.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 8, 2020

Why 20 brands are sending out a joint holiday catalog this season

Born out of the crisis of the pandemic, the Mission Brand Alliance is looking to push consumers to other values-driven brands by banding together.

By Cara Salpini • Dec. 7, 2020

Small and mighty: How independent retailers are navigating the holidays

Indie players' challenges mimic those of larger retailers. But, small businesses are finding creative solutions for customers during an unpredictable season. 

By Kaarin Vembar • Dec. 7, 2020

Belk offers virtual festivities for the holidays

Activities include phone calls from Santa, a social media decorating contest and surprise gift cards tied to its in-store and curbside pickup services. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 4, 2020

Are you ready for the tax implications of a holiday surge?

Here are three ways automated tax partners help retailers proactively understand and manage holiday tax obligations.

Dec. 4, 2020

Cyber Monday draws $10.8B in sales: Adobe

After the weekend's results, the research firm updated its projection to $184 billion in U.S. total holiday sales, down from the $189 billion initially expected.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 3, 2020

Consumers may buy less this holiday. Could retailers actually make more?

At some stores, Black Friday markdowns weren't as steep as years past, in part due to the pandemic's supply chain disruption. There may be a lesson there.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 3, 2020

NRF: Thanksgiving weekend saw fewer shoppers, less spending

The trade organization estimated that some 186.4 million consumers shopped over the recent holidays, spending an average of $311.75 each.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 2, 2020

Smartphone shopping surged 25% to $3.6B on Black Friday, study finds

Mobile made up 40% of the day's overall online spending, while in-store and curbside pickup increased as consumers avoided in-store shopping.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 1, 2020

Shopping apps hit record 2.8M installs on Black Friday: report

Companies spread out deals in the weeks leading up to Black Friday which resulted in a surge of first-time installs of retail apps. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 1, 2020

Black Friday foot traffic down more than 52%

Many shoppers stayed home and made their purchases online as the COVID-19 pandemic rages.

By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 30, 2020

Winners and losers of Black Friday 2020

Online sales, curbside and store pickup all surged as a sales event defined by the pandemic took shape. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 28, 2020

Black Friday 2020 online sales on pace to grow as much as 42%

While COVID-19 rages across the U.S., consumers are staying home — but still shopping. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 27, 2020

Ahead of Black Friday, retailers brace for online returns

Companies have been proactive in preparing for a season where e-commerce is king. Will it be enough? Seven experts weigh in.

By Caroline Jansen • Nov. 25, 2020

Walmart illuminates holidays with drone light show

The retailer's latest experiential activation was crafted with the socially distanced, contactless needs of the pandemic era in mind.

By Aaron Baar • Nov. 24, 2020

Foot Locker debuts '12 Days of Greatness' holiday capsule collections

The retailer collaborated with streetwear designers in a celebration of basketball culture as it continues efforts to reach out to sneakerheads. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 24, 2020