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Covering the latest news in the retail industry

  • November 20, 2025

    • Walmart is displaying ongoing strength, delivering a quarterly sales increase of 4.5%, improved foot traffic, and larger average basket size in its most recent report. “We’re gaining market share, improving delivery speed, and managing inventory well. We’re well positioned for a strong finish to the year and beyond that,” Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said in a news release (via CNN Business).
    • The Federal Reserve appears divided on the subject of a December interest rate cut. “Several participants assessed that a further lowering of the target range for the federal funds rate could well be appropriate in December if the economy evolved about as they expected over the coming intermeeting period,” the minutes from the FOMC October meeting read. “Many participants suggested that, under their economic outlooks, it would likely be appropriate to keep the target range unchanged for the rest of the year,” it continued (via CNBC).
    • AI toys are the subject of increasing scrutiny from nonprofit children’s safety organization Fairplay, among other organizations. “Young children are especially susceptible to the potential harms of these toys, such as invading their privacy, collecting data, engendering false trust and friendship, and displacing what they need to thrive, like human-to-human interactions and time to play with all their senses. These can have long and short-term impacts on development,” said Rachel Franz, a Fairplay program director (via NPR).
    • Thanksgiving dinner is expected to again decline in price, with the average price to serve 10 guests resting at $55.18, down from $58.08 last year and $61.17 in 2023. “We are blessed to live in a country that is capable of producing such an abundant food supply, and for that we should be thankful. Despite modest declines in the cost of a Thanksgiving meal, I know food prices are a real concern for many families, including in rural America. We lost 15,000 farms last year because of factors including historically low crop prices, high supply costs and trade uncertainty, which continue to squeeze farmers and ranchers. Every farm lost is another step toward consolidation and reliance on other countries for our food,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall (via AFBF).
    • TJX managed to provide a strong showing during its Q3 2026 report, delivering beats on net sales, comp sales, and EPS. “Sharp price points, a constantly refreshed assortment, and that unmistakable treasure-hunt energy keep people coming back—and once they’re in the door, bigger baskets follow. [TJX’s] sourcing model also works in its favor right now: department-store softness means more excess merchandise to buy, and TJX can turn those opportunistic finds into margin wins even with ongoing tariff pressure,” said Suzy Davidson, VP of content at EMarketer (via Chain Store Age).

  • November 19, 2025

    • Target slashed its full-year profit guidance on Nov. 19, citing falling sales numbers during its most recent quarter of business. “Target has proven over and over that it is poorly positioned to succeed in this uneven economy, selling the wrong mix of items for an increasingly frugal customer. Target specializes in cheap chic clothing and home decorations, but fewer customers believe they can find the best prices and deals there,” wrote reporter Nathaniel Meyersohn (via CNN Business).
    • Lowe’s reported a comp sales beat, as well as a slight EPS decline — explained by the acquisitions of Foundation Building Materials (FBM) and Artisan Design Group (ADG) — signaling a strong financial balance sheet. “The company delivered another quarter of positive comp sales, and we’re pleased to start November with positive comps as well, despite headwinds related to hurricane activity in the prior year. With the closing of the FBM acquisition last month, we look forward to enhancing our offering to Pro customers and creating more sustainable, long-term sales and profit expansion for the company,” said Marvin R. Ellison, Lowe’s chairman, president and CEO (via press room).
    • Kroger expects to shutter three automated delivery fulfillment centers, incurring a penalty of ~$2.6 billion due to impairment charges. Kroger had partnered with Ocado on fulfillment, but is now reconsidering options. “The pandemic bump didn’t hold, and shoppers moved back to stores quickly, so the economics of running dedicated ecommerce facilities may no longer make sense,” said eMarketer analyst Suzy Davidkhanian (via Reuters).
    • Honda is recalling nearly 257,00 vehicles over a software flaw which could reset while the vehicle is being driven, potentially leading to a crash or other accident. The recall applies to 2023-2025 Honda Accord models, and affected owners should expect to receive letters informing them of their eligibility for a free dealership fix in early 2026 (via CBS News).
    • Toyota announced a further $912 million investment — leading to a claimed 252 new jobs — in U.S. manufacturing capabilities tied to the increased production of hybrid vehicles. “Customers are embracing Toyota’s hybrid vehicles, and our U.S. manufacturing teams are gearing up to meet that growing demand. Toyota’s philosophy is to build where we sell, and by adding more American jobs and investing across our U.S. footprint, we continue to stay true to that philosophy,” said Kevin Voelkel, SVP, manufacturing operations (via press room).

  • November 18, 2025

    • Home Depot announced sluggish sales figures Nov. 18, stating that sales at U.S. stores which had been open for at least one year were up a mere 0.2% in the previous quarter. The retailer also slashed its full-year profit forecast. “We believe that consumer uncertainty and continued pressure in housing are disproportionately impacting home improvement demand,” Home Depot CEO Ted Decker said (via CNN Business).
    • Panera Bread is engaging in a turnaround effort following a shedding of customers and staff as it shrank portion sizes — and fell to third position in the U.S. fast casual space, behind Chipotle Mexican Grill and Panda Express. “In some instances, we shrunk portions, so guests would walk into our cafe to buy a sandwich that has gone up significantly in price, with lower quality ingredients, in a smaller size,” CEO Paul Carbone said of the chain’s previous mistakes (via CNBC).
    • Sizzler, the iconic steakhouse chain of the 1980s and 1990s, is also engaged in a revival effort. Creative agency Tavern is slated to handle the effort, with a stated desire to lean “into the sentimental value associated with the brand,” planning to “compete with fast-food giants like McDonald’s and offer a more appealing alternative for parents seeking a dining experience that evokes comfort and familiarity” (via FOX Business).
    • Target investors are bracing themselves for further damage control, with sluggish sales growth and continuing inventory woes coinciding with staffing problems and disorganize store sales floors. “When [money’s] tight, Americans aren’t going to spend as much on what Target has to offer,” said Charles Sizemore, a Target investor (via Reuters).
    • AkzoNobel and Axalta are combining to form a trans-Atlantic paint giant worth $17 billion in revenue and $25 billion in enterprise value. “We’re excited to enter a new chapter in our long and proud history as a leader in the paints and coatings industry. This merger will allow us to accelerate our growth ambitions by bringing together highly complementary technologies, expertise and passionate people to unlock our full combined potential,” said Greg Poux-Guillaume, CEO and chairman of AkzoNobel (via press release).

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