Retail Stores News

Back-to-school shopping

Can Competitors Sway Customers Away From Walmart, Amazon, and Target This Back-to-School Shopping Season?

Walmart, Amazon, and Target appear to have something of a stranglehold on BTS spend. Can competitors wrest market share away?

Walmart tweens shopping

Do Tweens Want To Shop at Walmart?

Walmart has introduced Weekend Academy, a budget-conscious collection aimed at the often-fickle tween customer. Walmart said in a press release, “The assortment was designed with today’s tweens in mind, offering on-trend styles they crave at prices their parents will love — including most items available for under $15, with many priced at less than $10.”…

Price-matching Target, True Classic

Are Price-Matching Policies Becoming a Thing of the Past?

Target is joining other retailers by severely curtailing its price-matching policy. Will such policies eventually become so restrictive as to barely resemble their original iterations?

Walmart Plans to Overhaul 650 Stores. Is a Location Near You On The List

Why Is Walmart Cutting Store-Support and Training Jobs?

Walmart is reportedly restructuring store-support and training roles as it looks to simplify its organizational structure in an apparent shift from a corporate to more of a local focus. Bloomberg, which first reported the news, said that hundreds of store-support roles would be affected. Walmart Eliminates Market Coordinator Role, Trims Academy Coach and Coordinator Roles…

Holiday shopping

Will Holiday Shopping Spend Beat Last Year’s Numbers, Despite Tariff Concerns?

A Salsify survey suggests holiday shopping spend will hold firm, or increase, this year. Is this projection accurate?

Retail shopping

Over 80% of Retail Store Managers Expect Sales To Remain Healthy This Year: Are They Right?

Despite a proliferation of news headlines tied to iffy consumer sentiment and the negative impact that an ongoing and turbulent trade policy — particularly concerning tariffs — might have on retailers, it appears that the bulk of front-line store management figures may be taking the opposite stance. According to Levin Management’s recent “2025 Mid-Year Retail…

Experiential retail Netflix

Is Experiential Retailing Living Up to the Hype?

Experiential retail is a buzzword in the business. Does it have staying power?

Pop-up, shopping mall

Can the ‘Airbnb Model’ for Pop-Up Retail Gain a Significant Foothold in the US?

A new pop-up retail rental platform hits the U.K. while an established one seeks inroads stateside. Can the Airbnb model for short-term retail rentals gain popularity in the U.S.?

Lululemon

Do Airport Stores Make Sense for Lululemon?

Lululemon is expanding its airport retail footprint. Does this move make sense for the company?

Target

Is a Target Turnaround Likely To Occur in the Near Future?

Target is working hard to repair its image, and its bottom line. Will its turnaround effort succeed in the near term?

Lululemon

Is Lululemon’s US Business Facing a Rocky Road Ahead?

Lululemon is showing signs of faltering traffic and flat sales. Can its new product lineup reinvigorate consumer interest?

Ollie's sign

Has Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Figured Out Closeouts?

The bankruptcy of Big Lots and recent liquidations of Bargain Hunt and 99 Cents Only show closeout retailing isn’t a cake walk, but Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, by all accounts, continues to thrive. With a recent opening of a store in Omaha, Ollie’s entered its 34th state with 599 stores, most located in the eastern part…

Kirkland's Home

Would a Retailer by any Other Name Smell as Sweet? Kirkland’s Home Rebrand Set To Kick Off

Kirkland’s new identity and reshuffled board signal much ado about branding. Will it succeed?

Costco lululemon concept

Are Costco’s Lululemon Dupes Counterfeit?

Lululemon is suing Costco over allegedy counterfeit products. Will that suit succeed?

Algorithmic pricing concept

Should Retailers Reveal Algorithmic Pricing Schemes?

The NRF has filed a lawsuit in an attempt to block a New York state law requiring retailers to disclose algorithmic pricing. Should retailers be forced to disclose that information to consumers?

Retail, eTail 2025, Grace Andrews

What Can Retail Learn From the Creator Economy? Insights from ‘The Diary of a CEO’

Retailers are increasingly leveraging the creator economy. What lessons can brand director Grace Andrews offer on this subject?

Summer retail sales shopping

Is Early Summer Becoming a Bigger Retail Sales Opportunity?

The early summer sales season is becoming its own retail holiday of sorts. Why are brands buying in?

Staples

Can Staples Regain a Retail Foothold Beyond its Core Service Offerings?

Staples is making a play for a greater share of the tech market. Will it be able to make inroads?

Value concept

How Can Retailers Best Attract a Growing Cohort of Value-Seeking Consumers, Beyond Price?

The percentage of U.S. consumers identified as value-seekers has been increasing as of late. What can retailers do, beyond providing enticing pricing, to attract these shoppers?

Costco to Close All US Locations for 24 Hours in May

Will Costco’s New Hours for Executive Members Drive Growth or Create Headaches?

Costco is enacting new hours exclusively for executive members. Will this strategy increase sales and drive profit through increased executive memberships?

Claire's

Will Claire’s Find an Interested Buyer Despite Tariffs and Competitors?

Claire’s is allegedly considering a sale of its assets and brand. Will it find an interested buyer?

Target

Will Target’s Planned Factory-Direct Shipping Model Improve Sales?

Perhaps eying the massive success enjoyed by Chinese e-commerce giants such as SHEIN and Temu, Target is allegedly testing the waters surrounding the launch of its own direct-shipping model. Would this actually drive significant spend?

Back-to-school shopping

Will 2025 Back-to-School Shopping Spend Actually Top Last Year’s Results?

The back-to-school season has been pushed forward to capture greater spend in the face of inflationary pressure and tariffs. Will 2025 outperform 2024 or flatten further?

Victoria's Secret lingerie retail store

Should Victoria’s Secret’s Board Be Replaced?

Victoria’s Secret is being targeted by two activist investors seeking to overhaul the retailer’s board. Would it benefit from a board shake-up?

The exterior of a Gap store, GapStudio

Are Retail Consumers Tired of Being ‘Bombarded’ With Deals?

Gap’s CEO, and preceding research, indicates that deal fatigue may be setting in. How can retailers maintain marketing efforts without driving away their customers?

Goodwill sign

Is Goodwill Poised To Continue ‘Winning’ in a Shaky Market, or Are Erratic Prices Turning Off Shoppers?

Goodwill appears to be pleased with significant revenue despite a faltering U.S. retail apparel market. However, will erratic pricing lead to a significant loss of its traditional customer base?

Retail sales

Will Retail Sales Remain Sluggish This Summer?

Retail sales have been experiencing a decline over the past few months. Will they continue to fall over the course of the summer?

Shopping in a store, dwell time

Should Increasing Dwell Time Be a Goal for All Retailers?

Canada Goose, Coach-owner Tapestry, and Tanger Outlets are adding amenities to encourage shoppers to spend more time shopping in stores in an attempt to increase their chances of conversion. Would all retailers benefit from increasing dwell time?

Is RFID Finally Reinventing Retail Selling Floors?

Academy Sports, Old Navy, and Kroger have all recently rolled out RFID projects to improve inventory accuracy at the store level. Do you expect to see wider adoption of item-level RFID across retail selling floors in 2025?

Macy's Store Closures Partially Responsible for 274% Increase in Retail Layoffs, According to a New Report

Macy’s Store Closures Partially Responsible for 274% Increase in Retail Layoffs, According to a New Report

Macy’s store closures were part of the “retail apocalypse.”

Off-price retail, TJX

Will Off-Price Retailers Send Traditional Department Stores Into Partial, or Even Full, Retirement?

Off-price retailers are enjoying significant growth as traditional department stores struggle. Will this trend continue, leaving department stores in the dust?

Amazon, Walmart composite

Walmart and Amazon Consider Launching Stablecoins

Stablecoins, backed by the U.S. dollar, may become an option for Walmart and Amazon purchases.

refrigerators being manufactured

Trump’s 50% Steel Tariffs Could Make Household Appliances More Expensive

The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced 50% steel tariffs, which may apply to appliances like dishwashers and refrigerators.

Walmart Plans to Overhaul 650 Stores. Is a Location Near You On The List

Walmart Refreshes Its Image via ‘Who Knew?’ Ad Campaign Featuring Walton Goggins

Walmart has launched a new ad campaign featuring Hollywood actor Walton Goggins.

Consumer sentiment Gen Z women at the mall.

US Consumer Sentiment Rebounds in June as Tariff Tensions Ease, Survey Suggests

Consumer sentiment among American shoppers has rebounded from lows experienced earlier in 2025.

Starbucks

CEO Brian Niccol’s Bold ‘Back to Starbucks’ Strategy Endorsed by Company Founder Howard Schultz

Schultz believes that Starbucks’ coffee-first identity is essential to its continued success.

Walmart Faces MAGA Boycott Following Walton Heiress's Funding of 'No Kings' Ad

Walmart Faces MAGA Boycott Following Walton Heiress’s Funding of ‘No Kings’ Ad

Walmart heiress refuses to recognize Donald Trump as a ‘king.’

Inflation concept

Has Retail Inflation Actually Cooled, Or Is it Set To Ramp Up as 2025 Draws to a Close?

Inflation, including retail inflation, appears to be cooling. Will it ramp up again later this year?

Image of GameStop sign

GameStop Announces Plans To Potentially Buy Up to $1.75B More Bitcoin, But Investors Are Spooked

GameStop has announced its intention to raise $1.75 billion via the offer of convertible senior notes, potentially to purchase more Bitcoin.

Sparky Walmart's new AI tool

Walmart’s New AI Assistant, ‘Sparky,’ Wants To Help Customers Shop Smarter

Walmart’s latest AI innovation promises to create a personalized shopping experience.

Dollar General

Dollar General Drives Growth Through Strategic Celebrity Brand Partnerships

Dollar General’s celebrity partnerships prove to be a winning and profitable strategy.

Beauty products aisle

What’s Next for the In-Store Beauty Experience?

The in-store beauty experience is facing significant change. How can it remain relevant vs. e-commerce options?

GameStop

GameStop Posts Mixed Q1 2025 Results as Nintendo Switch 2 Continues its Launch

GameStop has posted a mixed Q1 2025 financial report as the Nintendo Switch 2 launches.

Inflation, CPI concept

US Inflation Remained Relatively Flat in May According to Latest CPI Data, Beating Expectations

Inflation seems to have softened as of late, per the May CPI data, though it still remains above the Fed’s target rate of 2%.

REI storefront

Outdoor Retailer REI Celebrates Growth With Exciting Summer Expansion

New REI locations will plant roots in California and New York.

Lowe's store in Toronto, Canada.

Lowe’s Creator Network Partners With MrBeast: Will Influencer-Driven Marketing Prove Profitable?

Lowe’s is partnering with MrBeast, and 17,000 other creators, to launch its Creator Network. Will this move prove successful in the long run?

Petco endcap displays

Are Endcap Displays Too ‘Transactional’ in Stores?

Petco is taking a “more strategic” approach to endcap displays. What’s your overall advice on maximizing the use of endcap displays and deciding which products to promote?

Back-to-school shopping

Price-Driven Back-to-School Shopping Surge Starts Early for Families

Back-to-school shopping is occurring earlier than ever, according to a new survey.

Big Lots exterior

Big Lots Bounces Back: 78 More Stores Reopen Under New Leadership

Big Lots continues to reopen previously shuttered locations under new leadership.

person with briefcase walking away

Job Cuts Have Jumped 47% Year-Over-Year, According to New Report

Job cuts in the U.S. increased 47% in May compared to the same month last year.