Holidays

  • A Duluth Trading Company store in West Fargo, North Dakota.
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    "Duluth Trading Company Store - Fargo, North Dakota" by Tony Webster is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Duluth Trading to lean on new fulfillment center during peak season

    The workwear retailer expects more than half of its direct orders will be handled by the Georgia facility in Q4.

    By Max Garland • June 16, 2023
  • Two paper bags with the Amazon Prime logo sit on a mat outside of a door.
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    Courtesy of Amazon
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    Amazon plans further improvements to Prime membership as Q4 sales slip

    As the e-commerce giant focuses on further tightening its operations, it will continue to add to the many perks members enjoy, executives said.

    By • Feb. 3, 2023
  • A massive lit-up sign with the tilted blue "Hasbro" logo and cartoon images looms over a dark room.
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    "Hasbro booth" by Gage Skidmore is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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    Hasbro slashes global workforce amid challenging consumer environment

    The move is part of a reorganization that includes the COO’s departure and a shift away from consumer products.

    By • Jan. 27, 2023
  • Nordstrom Rack, at Codding Town, Bend, Oregon
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Off-price Rack drags down Nordstrom’s holiday performance

    But the retailer's seasonal results reflect margin consistency, and its focus on inventory management could pay off, some analysts say.

    By • Jan. 20, 2023
  • A big red sign in a store window declares "up to 50% storewide" in large white type. Above it light blue letters say "for a limited time only" and below it a small banner says "storewide."
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Inflation moderated in December, giving retailers some hope

    The holidays led many consumers to buy more discretionary items, but they’re likely going to remain careful about their spending this year.

    By • Jan. 13, 2023
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    Flickr; Mike Mozart
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    Five Below to convert hundreds of stores to higher-priced concept

    The discounter sees roughly twice the spend from customers who purchase Five Beyond products and has received positive feedback on the format. 

    By • Jan. 10, 2023
  • Give Love is in lights on the storefront of Macy's in Herald Square in NYC.
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    Kaarin Vembar/Retail Dive
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    Macy’s lowers holiday sales prediction

    The department store managed to maintain its guidance within its previous range, but its warning suggests that it lost market share, analysts say.

    By • Jan. 9, 2023
  • Smiling young family looking at candy and Christmas presents in a store window.
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    RgStudio via Getty Images
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    5 trends that shaped the holidays in 2022

    From deep discounts to metaverse activations, here are some of the biggest influences on the season.

    By Retail Dive Staff • Jan. 9, 2023
  • A person sits on a couch holding a mobile phone next to a Christmas tree.
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    FreshSplash via Getty Images
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    US shoppers took on over $1,500 in holiday debt: report

    Consumers relied on buy now, pay later, credit cards and store cards to finance their 2022 holiday spending, according to LendingTree.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 6, 2023
  • A mail carrier walks through the snow on March 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.
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    Spencer Platt/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Winter weather stymied on-time deliveries in days before Christmas

    Project44 data shows how challenging conditions on Dec. 23 and Dec. 24 soured what was overall a smooth peak season for last mile delivery performance.

    By Max Garland • Jan. 6, 2023
  • Person shops online with a Christmas tree in the background.
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    NoSystem images via Getty Images
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    Shoppers spent record-breaking $211.7B online during 2022 holiday season: report

    Discounts also hit record highs, which were “strong enough to sustain discretionary spending through the entire season,” according to Adobe. 

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 6, 2023
  • A red bullseye logo with the word Target underneath decorates a storefront against a bright blue sky with puffy white clouds.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Wells Fargo downgrades Target amid signs the worst isn’t yet over

    The analysts, saying the mass merchant’s troubles may go deeper than many observers appreciate, have downgraded its stock.

    By • Jan. 4, 2023
  • A person sits in front of a computer online shopping while a Christmas lights are in the background.
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    Anchiy via Getty Images
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    Total holiday spend grew nearly 7% in 2022: report

    Though retailers saw an uptick in sales online and in stores this year, inflation has undercut growth, according to GlobalData. 

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 4, 2023
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    Kendall Davis/Retail Dive
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    Podcast

    The Backroom: Ushering in the new year with Doug Stephens

    What retailers should know about the realities of the metaverse and more futuristic observations from the retail prophet.

    By Retail Dive Staff • Dec. 29, 2022
  • Blue, red and purple store sign saying Patagonia
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    Michael M. Santiago / Staff via Getty Images
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    Patagonia to close stores, give employees paid week off for the holidays

    The company says the decision is important for the quality of life it provides its employees.

    By • Dec. 22, 2022
  • A customer using Happy Returns at an Ulta Beauty store
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    Courtesy of PayPal Inc.
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    Holiday returns rise 57% from 2021: report

    Consumers have become critical of their discretionary spending and may be returning to repurchase at steeper holiday discounts, Salesforce said.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 22, 2022
  • Estee Lauder makeup counter inside of a store
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    Flickr; http://www.bargainmoose.ca/
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    Fragrance sales spike for the holidays: NPD

    The category outperformed overall discretionary general merchandise spending during key weeks, including Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 19, 2022
  • Front entrance of Ulta store with white and orange colored displays
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    Permission granted by Ulta
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    How Ulta is approaching its new store layout and the holidays

    Chief Merchandising Officer Monica Arnaudo spoke with Retail Dive about store navigation, pricing options, and bringing mass and prestige together.

    By • Dec. 19, 2022
  • Leah Daniels is behind a counter at her Hill's Kitchen store.
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    Kaarin Vembar/Retail Dive
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    Deep Dive

    How small businesses are navigating the holiday season

    With the impact of the pandemic ongoing and inflation adding pressure, neighborhood stores are facing similar challenges as their big-box counterparts.

    By • Dec. 19, 2022
  • Woman shopping
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    Thomas Barwick

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    Sponsored by American Express - North America

    Four ways to help your small businesses this holiday season

    The holiday season is in full swing, and small retailers are aiming to attract last-minute shoppers. The good news is that spending should remain strong throughout December.

    Dec. 19, 2022
  • Hasbro livestreaming holiday event
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    Courtesy of Hasbro
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    Toy retailers turn to discounts to drive holiday sales, clear inventory

    Themed Lego sets and movie-related action figures are selling well, while board games and Nerf products are down, according to Jefferies analysts.

    By • Dec. 16, 2022
  • A screenshot of the virtual game, Build-A-Bear Tycoon, on Roblox.
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    Courtesy of Build-A-Bear
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    Column

    The Weekly Closeout: Build-a-Bear enters Roblox and Torrid partners with ThredUp

    The toy company is launching a game where users can become business tycoons, and the DTC apparel company announced a resale program.

    By Retail Dive Staff • Dec. 16, 2022
  • Buildings, cars and a pedestrian are reflected in a store window that says "Black Friday, up to 70% off" in orange letters.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    November retail sales show the holidays mean heavy promotions this year

    Consumers are spending, but they are keen on getting deals, and retailers are slashing prices as the holiday season winds down.

    By • Dec. 16, 2022
  • Person pulling a holiday gift out of a box.
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    kajakiki via Getty Images
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    Consumers rely more on cash and debit cards to pay for holiday purchases: report

    More research from Forbes Advisor suggests that shoppers are checking their shopping lists for items or people to omit.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 15, 2022
  • A box sits in front of a door.
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    USDA Media by Lance Cheung. (2020). "20200824-FNS-LSC-0718" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    Package theft surged 47% in November, study says

    Consumers reported that delivery times have improved since last year, but theft is on the rise.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 15, 2022