Report: Online holiday shoppers have high delivery expectations

Consumers are steadily moving online to shop more often, and their expectations for swift and free delivery are only solidifying, according to new research from Walker Sands.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 11, 2017

Boom or bust? Holiday predictions are a mixed bag

Online sales are expected to win again, but brick-and-mortar retailers are still struggling to find their niche.

By Lara Ewen • Sept. 8, 2017

NRF lowers retail sales forecast

The analysis follows weaker-than-expected sales, income and spending numbers from the government, but the holidays could buoy retailers.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 8, 2017

Toys R Us reportedly hires debt adviser ahead of holidays

Amid tough competition in the segment, the toy retailer has hired a law firm to advise on its debt options, which could include bankruptcy.

By Ben Unglesbee • Sept. 7, 2017

The Home Depot picks Google for voice shopping

The home improvement chain joins the voice-assistant fray this fall through a partnership with Google Express.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 7, 2017

Walmart opens 1,000th grocery pickup spot

The first location debuted in Denver in 2013 and the latest opened in Seattle on Thursday, as the world's largest retailer prepares for a holiday battle with Amazon with a new "hot toys" list. 

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 7, 2017

88% of holiday shoppers want ads from their favorite brands

Holiday shoppers aren't against targeted advertising — they just want it from brands that they care about, according to a new study.

By Cara Salpini • Sept. 6, 2017

What retailers can learn from REI's marketing success

Two years after the launch of its celebrated Opt Outside campaign, the outdoor retailer is engaging customers with a new brand message.

By Corinne Ruff • Sept. 6, 2017

3 trends from back-to-school marketing offer holiday preview

ASMR, social influencers and Hollywood-like content emerge as key tactics that could steer strategy for the holidays as well.

By Kayla Matthews • Sept. 6, 2017

Retail employment slides, but could pick up for holidays

August job losses in the sector don’t reflect a big shift to e-commerce, according to the National Retail Federation and outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 5, 2017

A retailer's guide to the holiday season

After a deep look at the NRF’s 2017 Retail Holiday Planning Playbook, here are the top four wants on consumers' wish lists this holiday season.

By Cara Salpini • Sept. 1, 2017

Amazon primed to win holiday season

Roughly 75% of holiday shoppers (and a whopping 90% of Amazon Prime members) expect to buy gifts from the e-commerce giant this season, according to a recent report.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 29, 2017

Walmart quietly releases inclusive Thanksgiving ad online

The new spot, "Many Chairs, One Table," evokes Coke’s iconic "Hilltop" ad and comes in the wake of division and violence in Charlottesville.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 28, 2017

Holiday sales to rise on e-commerce and fall on discounts

The healthy economy is spurring many shoppers to spend more, but their price-checking habits and free shipping expectations will hit margins.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 24, 2017

Study: Online sales, mobile payments spur back-to-school shopping growth

New research suggests retailers need to understand that "omnichannel is the new normal" for the back-to-school shopping season. 

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 23, 2017

Where should retailers invest their shopping ad budgets this holiday season?

Social media platforms are pushing hard for a bigger piece of a pie that's previously been owned by Google. 

By Maureen Alley and Chantal Tode • Aug. 23, 2017

Back-to-school shoppers waiting, but spending more too

Parents appear to be waiting for classroom lists to do their shopping, and many schools don't start their year until after Labor Day.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 23, 2017

Holiday email trends and tactics: Unwrap your potential for success

'The most wonderful time of the year' is quickly approaching once again as retailers gear up for another season of the biggest sales period around the world. 

By Shane M. Swisher • Aug. 21, 2017

Amazon ranks first for back-to-school shoppers

Brand Keys' survey of households with school-age children ranked Amazon first for both early and late back-to-school shopping.

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 14, 2017

8 retailers to watch during back-to-school

If the end of the retail shakeout is in sight, we might see the first signs during back-to-school. But the season is also a time to watch retailers try new things, test new strategies and make themselves into students of a chaotic marketplace. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 11, 2017

Toys 'R' Us plans Times Square return

The company may be looking overseas for growth, but the New York City location could boost sales for the holidays.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 11, 2017

Gen Z goes to college: How to win this back-to-school shopper

The largest generation in U.S. history is now in college, and retailers hoping to appeal to these digital natives need a different strategy than for millennials.

By Corinne Ruff • Aug. 8, 2017

Why back-to-school shopping matters more than ever in 2017

Some retailers will clean up — cough, cough, Amazon — but for others, it's do-or-die during back-to-school shopping season.

By Laura Heller • Aug. 3, 2017

Study: Prime week spiked mobile purchases for other retailers

While non-Amazon shopping apps took a hit on Prime Day itself, the day after saw a 70% surge in mobile app purchases.

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 2, 2017

How mobile is changing back-to-school

Gen Z students and millennial parents comprise much of the back-to-school market, and having, or not having, a mobile strategy could make or break the season.

By Cara Salpini • July 31, 2017