December 15, 2025

Here are our picks for top news impacting retailers today:

• Fiber appears to be the latest health trend poised to capture U.S. consumer attention in 2026, with protein having captured spend throughout 2025. “Fiber is finally getting a spotlight, which is a great thing because it’s a nutrient that people need,” said Stephanie Mattucci, principal strategist at food research company Mintel (via CNBC).
• U.S. consumers are returning items at an increased rate, per the inauguaral Seel 2025 Returns and Refunds Report. Defective item returns, as well as “change of mind” returns, both increased YoY in 2025. “Between recession fears, job uncertainty, increased buyer’s remorse, and growing trends like ‘try before you buy,’ we’re seeing shoppers be more thoughtful and take extra time thinking through purchases,” said Laura Huddle, chief revenue officer at Seel (via Chain Store Age).
• Texas Roadhouse is slated to close all of its 736 locations for 24 hours over Christmas Day. “Texas Roadhouse is closed on Christmas Day…to allow staff to celebrate with their families,” the company stated (via Cleveland.com).
• Tesla is testing its robotaxi in Austin, Texas, without a human safety monitor present. After a few incidents of such vehicles operating on Austin streets, Musk confirmed the practice on X. “Testing is underway with no occupants in the car,” Musk wrote in response to a user who had posted a video of a vehicle engaged in testing (via Business Insider).
• iRobot, maker of the famous Roomba series of cleaning robots, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company will be taken private during an ongoing restructuring process. “The transaction will strengthen our financial position and will help deliver continuity for our consumers, customers, and partners,” iRobot CEO Gary Cohen said (via ABC News).