October 15, 2025
- Deloitte is now predicting a sharp drop in U.S. holiday spend this year, with consumer spending over the holidays projected to fall by 10% on average, YoY. Surveyed consumers aim to spend an average of $1,595 this season, with the spending pullback most evident among members of Gen Z (via Chain Store Age).
- LVMH shares surged on Oct. 15 as improved demand in China fed into a larger narrative which also saw other luxury brands’ share prices gain — adding ~$80 billion to European luxury stocks’ valuations (via Reuters).
- Sam’s Club has expanded its hours — in most cases from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. — but is also now enticing new sign-ups via an exclusive deal on club memberships ($15 versus $35 normally) and Plus memberships ($50 versus $60 regularly) until Oct. 31 (via press release).
- Walmart is engaging in the largest-ever deployment of Internet of Things (IoT), slated to deploy millions of IoT devices throughout its supply chain and in stores. Full deployment is expected to employ ~90 million sensors (via CNBC).
- BUILT Bar is reportedly eying a sale, according to sources familiar with the matter. Sources claim that the protein bar company has hired investment bank Houlihan Lokey on the sales process (via Reuters).
- Krispy Kreme has expanded its international presence, opening its first location in Spain, in Madrid, with two more shops slated to open before 2025 draws to a close. The plan calls for more than 50 locations to be installed over the course of the next four years (via Chain Store Age).