Over half of holiday shoppers plan to use AI to compare prices, search for products

Consumers are shopping earlier and leveraging AI tools to find the best deals amid a holiday season clouded with economic uncertainty, per a new report.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 14, 2025

After 3 years of consistency, toy prices are on the rise

The industry is showing strength, as consumers are anticipating even higher prices, according to a Circana report.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 11, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

A look at the 2025 holiday season

From price-conscious shoppers to ever-changing tariffs, retailers have a lot to juggle this holiday season.

By Retail Dive staff

Holiday 2025: 26 days to make every moment count

To win in this year's condensed and cutthroat holiday season, brands need to operationalize agility.

By Melissa Tatoris, VP Retail, Zeta Global • Aug. 11, 2025

Retail buyers are reacting to tariffs with AI and early orders

A Deloitte report found the industry is using the tech to navigate a shifting trade environment — and making holiday buys two months earlier than last year.

By Dani James • Aug. 6, 2025

Retail job cuts spike nearly 250% from last year

A Challenger, Gray & Christmas report points to tariffs and broader economic uncertainty as the catalysts driving a retail workforce contraction. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 4, 2025

Shoppers to go into credit card debt, use BNPL to afford the holidays

U.S. consumers aren’t shifting away from spending, but they are strategically approaching how to afford purchases, according to a new report. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 29, 2025

Macy’s brings back ‘Black Friday in July’ sale

In addition to deals on clothing, accessories and beauty products, the department store is also dropping a curated selection of holiday items.

By Howard Ruben • July 25, 2025

Back-to-school shoppers avoiding price hikes by reusing supplies, buying cheaper brands

Most consumers said higher prices are impacting their choices this year, according to a new ICSC report.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 24, 2025

Target unveils ‘Back-to-School-idays’ savings event

The mass retailer is bringing back in-store personalization services for select gear and building on previous Circle Week school discounts. 

By Dani James • July 22, 2025

Why JanSport revived its cringeworthy back-to-school ads to reach Gen Z

The backpack maker’s TikTok-focused effort returns for a second year after an initial run led to the brand’s highest grossing sales day in history.

By Jessica Hammers • July 16, 2025

Consumers to cut back on essentials to cover holiday purchases

Spending won’t drop, but higher costs mean shoppers will make trade-offs in every category this season, according to an Inmar Intelligence report.  

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 15, 2025

Walmart offers some back-to-school supplies at lower prices this year

The retailer brought back its one-click school lunch basket and also announced the launch of private label tween brand Weekend Academy.

By Dani James • July 15, 2025

J.C. Penney to hold down prices for back to school, holiday despite Q1 declines

Sales and profit slumps were relatively modest, a sign the department store’s merchandising and marketing efforts are paying off.

By Daphne Howland • July 8, 2025

Online summer sales expected to be the equivalent of ‘two Black Fridays’

Events including Amazon Prime Day are expected to boost digital sales as price-conscious consumers seek discounts, per Adobe.

By Dani James • July 8, 2025

US back-to-school shopping expected to reach over $33B

Inflation, tariffs and supply chain uncertainty are shaping purchasing decisions this year, according to Coresight Research. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 7, 2025

Saks Global $600M deal with bondholders includes $200M in new financing

As the holidays loom and past vendor payments come due, the package replaces a previous proposal for $350 million in new financing.

By Daphne Howland • June 30, 2025

Sportsman’s Warehouse to pull forward holiday shipments to skirt tariffs

The retailer is focused on buying core items while cutting SKUs to battle market uncertainty and simplify its assortment.

By Kelly Stroh • June 30, 2025

The Weekly Closeout: J. Jill names chief merchant as Spirit Halloween resurrects seasonal hiring

Courtney O’Connor, formerly head of merchandising at Club Monaco, joins Monday. Meanwhile, the spooky store plans to bring on 50,000 employees.

By Retail Dive Staff • June 27, 2025

Walmart, Target announce competing Prime Day sales

Both retailers are offering early access to paid loyalty members and highlighting back-to-school savings.

By Dani James • June 23, 2025

Amazon Prime Day is back — this time for 4 days

The sales event runs from July 8 to July 11, and is being promoted with a new ad campaign featuring LeBron James.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • June 17, 2025

At Home blames bankruptcy on tariffs, consumer uncertainty

The private equity-owned company’s latest Chapter 11 filing comes at an awkward time for a retailer dependent on holiday sales for 40% of its revenue.

By Daphne Howland • June 16, 2025

Spirit Halloween cancels season opening event due to ‘supply chain challenges’

Although the specialty retailer did not say tariffs caused the cancellation, it did point to “international disruptions.”

By Kaarin Moore • June 2, 2025

Saks Global rescues its holiday with $350M in new financing

Without the infusion, the luxury department store company would struggle to pay vendors ahead of the critical season, analysts say.

By Daphne Howland • June 2, 2025

J.C. Penney swings to a loss

Last year’s sales declines and steep net loss put the retailer at the bottom of the struggling department store sector, an analyst said.

By Daphne Howland • May 12, 2025

Mars helps retailers plan for the extended Halloween season with the return of “Mars Tricks, Treats and Trends”

“Mars Tricks, Treats and Trends” report unmasks consumer plans and patterns around Halloween.

May 5, 2025