September 16, 2025
- U.S. consumers are continuing to spend despite persistent inflation and tariff pressures. According to Commerce Department figures, spending at U.S. retailers rose 0.6% in August (via CNN Business).
- Amazon Prime Big Deal Days is all set for spooky season, kicking off on Oct. 7 and running through Oct. 8. “Prime Big Deal Days kicks off the holiday shopping season with exclusive deals for Prime members on must-have items and popular gifts,” said company exec Carmen Nestares (via Chain Store Age).
- Online sales growth in the U.S. is expected to slow this year, dropping from 4% YoY in 2024 to 2.1% in 2025, per Salesforce projections. The period being measured ranges from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31 (via Reuters).
- U.S. consumer credit scores are dropping at the fastest rate since the Great Recession. The national average FICO score dipped by two points this year, the most significant decline since 2009 (via CNN Business).
- Michaels is looking to hire more than 10,000 seasonal workers as the holiday sales season approaches. The retailer is advertising “competitive wages, flexible hours and a generous 30% discount, and a supportive environment that fosters growth and development” for potential hires (via Michaels).
- Uniqlo founder Tadashi Yanai, Japan’s wealthiest man, stated that the U.S. may end up bearing the bulk of the price of tariffs enacted by the Trump administration (via Reuters).
- Toys “R” Us plans to open 10 new flagship locations, in addition to 20 seasonal locations in advance of the holiday season, before 2025 draws to a close (via Chain Store Age).