Consumer Trends


  • John Furner, President and CEO, Walmart U.S.
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    Courtesy of Jason Dixson Photography
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    Memorable quotes from NRF’s 2025 Big Show

    Retail executives discussed the future of AI, the store experience and personalization at this year’s conference. 

    By Daphne Howland and Kaarin Moore • Jan. 16, 2025
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Target cut its go-to-market timeframe from 7 months to 8 weeks. Here’s why.

    The retailer has created an operating model that quickly enables it to bring new trends to consumers. 

    By Jan. 15, 2025
  • Trendline

    The latest in experiential retail

    From new store concepts to accessibility efforts, retailers are constantly shifting their approach to better cater to shopper needs.

    By Retail Dive staff
  • A model wears clothing from Antrhopologie's new resortwear line, including sunglasses, a blue bikini and an oversized button down featuring stamp graphics. The model rides a bike.
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    Courtesy of Anthropologie
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    Anthropologie launches resortwear line

    The Urban Outfitters, Inc.-owned brand is positioning its new label as a response to increased consumer interest in travel.

    By Laurel Deppen • Jan. 15, 2025
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    Yujin Kim/Retail Dive
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    These retailers could file for bankruptcy in 2025

    From At Home to Guitar Center, here’s who’s most at risk in the year ahead.

    By Updated Jan. 18, 2025
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    hakule via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by YOOBIC

    The future of shopping: 3 trends that will define 2025

    Retail's 2025 revolution: 3 trends reshaping shopping, customer engagement and employee empowerment.

    Jan. 13, 2025
  • A photo of a Big Lots storefront.
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    Permission granted by Big Lots
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    Column

    The Weekly Closeout: Ulta’s future and Big Lots’ store-saving deal

    The beauty retailer named a new CEO while Big Lots closed on a sale agreement that will enable it to keep hundreds of stores open.

    By Retail Dive Staff • Jan. 10, 2025
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    Courtesy of Bluestar Alliance
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    These 5 tween retailers once dominated the space. Here’s where they are now.

    Brands like Wet Seal and Delia’s have since faded from the spotlight as stores failed to keep up with the changing needs of new generations.

    By Jan. 9, 2025
  • Close-up of a hand holding a phone against a dark green backdrop
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    Courtesy of Instacart
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    Holiday e-commerce hits a record as shoppers choose phones over stores

    Consumers sought out deals but inflation didn’t really tamp down demand during the season, according to the latest figures from Adobe Analytics.

    By Jan. 8, 2025
  • Person uses credit card to buy online
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    Nastasic via Getty Images
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    Holiday shoppers spent global record $1.2 trillion online

    Both retailers and consumers used AI to enhance shopping experiences. But consumers have also returned 28% more merchandise than last year, according to Salesforce. 

    By Jan. 7, 2025
  • A person wearing jeans and a sweater holds a credit card over a laptop, with a blurry holiday tree in the background.
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    stock photo via Getty Images
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    Over a third of consumers took on debt this holiday season

    By generation, millennials took on the most, while baby boomers took on the least, according to a recent LendingTree survey.

    By Howard Ruben • Jan. 6, 2025
  • Person pulling a holiday gift out of a box.
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    kajakiki via Getty Images
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    Retailers lost $103B in fraudulent returns and claims in 2024

    Fraudulent returns accounted for about 15% of the projected $685 billion in returns last year, per a recent report from Appriss Retail and Deloitte.

    By Howard Ruben • Jan. 3, 2025
  • Did Costco just reset the narrative around DEI?

    In contrast to a slew of companies, the warehouse retailer has forcefully rejected an anti-DEI shareholder proposal as bad for business.

    By Jan. 3, 2025
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    Kendall Davis/Retail Dive
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    Podcast

    The Backroom: Doug Stephens looks to 2025 and beyond

    The retail and brand expert discusses the hype around AI, how marketers can preserve human creativity and his optimism about the future.

    By Retail Dive Staff • Dec. 26, 2024
  • store front of Party City
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Party City to close all stores in bankruptcy

    About 14 months after emerging from Chapter 11, the retailer finds itself in bankruptcy court once again. This time, it’s liquidating.

    By Dec. 23, 2024
  • Two shoppers leave a Best Buy store.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Electronic sales rebound during Black Friday, Cyber Monday period

    After eight straight quarters of revenue declines in the sector, spending grew 3.5% during the two weeks ending Dec. 7, according to Circana analysis.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 20, 2024
  • Person shops online with a Christmas tree in the background.
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    NoSystem images via Getty Images
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    Nearly half of Gen Z shoppers to buy holiday gifts from Chinese marketplaces

    Though U.S. shoppers are slow to trust it, Temu has become the top Chinese e-commerce platform, surpassing competitors like Shein and TikTok Shop, an Omnisend survey found.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 19, 2024
  • Mall setting with shoppers walking
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    Emily Elconin via Getty Images
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    Nearly half of consumers feel ignored by marketers: Here’s what the numbers say

    Among consumers who feel ignored, 75% would rather support brands that align with their values, iHeartMedia’s research found.

    By Sara Karlovitch • Dec. 18, 2024
  • An entrance at the Christiana Mall in Delaware in 2024
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    Nate Delesline III/Retail Dive
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    Over 157M expected to shop in stores, online on Super Saturday

    According to the NRF, half of those with shopping to finish will do so online, while 37% will head to department stores.

    By Dec. 17, 2024
  • Taylor Swift book promotion for Target.
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    Courtesy of Target
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    5 retailers that need a great 2024 holiday season

    Some companies are coming off a tough quarter, while others switched leadership or are dealing with changing consumer behavior. But all of these retailers need a W. 

    By Dec. 17, 2024
  • Perfect Corp. YouCam
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    Courtesy of Perfect Corp.
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    Over half of holiday shoppers already use or plan to use AI

    According to Perfect Corp., which offers AI and AR solutions to retailers, consumers are looking for personalized experiences.

    By Dec. 12, 2024
  • A customer prepares a box for a return
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    Anna Gorbacheva via Getty Images
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    Shoppers projected to return $890B in merchandise this year

    According to an estimate by the National Retail Federation, returns will amount to 16.9% of retailers’ annual sales in 2024.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 12, 2024
  • Home essentials.
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    Courtesy of Target
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    Walmart’s Bettergoods, Target’s Dealworthy are fastest-growing private labels

    A recent Numerator report found that both brands, which launched earlier this year, have already reached a notable number of households.

    By Howard Ruben • Dec. 11, 2024
  • A Simon Mall during the holiday season in Arlington, Virginia.
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    Kaarin Moore/Retail Dive
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    Black Friday weekend shopping traffic exceeds NRF predictions

    More consumers made purchases during the period than anticipated, and both stores and mobile shopping saw gains year over year.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 5, 2024
  • A Simon Mall during the holiday season in Arlington, Virginia.
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    Kaarin Moore/Retail Dive
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    Simon sees traffic bump during Black Friday weekend

    The mall company has bucked the trend of declining in-store traffic during the industry’s busiest shopping period.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 3, 2024
  • Person sits on a couch shopping on an iPad next to a Christmas tree.
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    Anchiy via Getty Images
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    Nearly 75% of baby boomers plan to use pay-later services this holiday season

    Consumers in that generation are often on fixed incomes and mindful of avoiding high-interest credit card debt, according to Splitit CEO Nandan Sheth.

    By Howard Ruben • Dec. 3, 2024