The Latest

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    Kendall Davis/Retail Dive
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    The Backroom: Consumer resilience in trying times

    Katie Thomas of the Kearney Consumer Institute talks about nuances in the K-shaped economy that help explain why discretionary retail sales have remained strong despite shoppers’ wariness.

  • Two customers speaking with an employee at a flooring store
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    Permission granted by DataXstream
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    Sponsored by DataXstream

    The order management imperative: How outdated order management is holding you back and what you can do about it

    Retail growth starts with fixing order management.

  • A hanging store sign with REI's logo on it.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    REI faces possible anniversary sale boycott after abandoning labor talks

    The REI Union, expressing confidence that the retailer’s customers would join workers in sending a message, will finalize a decision by May 1.

  • A boot display in Tecovas' SoHo flagship in New York City
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    Permission granted by Tecovas
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    How Tecovas is leveraging AI to improve the store experience

    The boot brand is using the tech to help with inventory replenishment and allocation, and foster better interactions between associates and customers.

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    Courtesy of Nordstrom
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    Nordstrom to close 2 full-line stores despite top-line strength last year

    Anchors at malls in Delaware and Texas will close this spring, but the off-price Rack fleet continues to grow, with plans to add 23 locations in 2026.

  • A store employee wearing a red Target vest puts health and beauty products on a store shelf.
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    Courtesy of Target
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    Retailers report shrink levels down from pandemic highs

    Is the improvement from addressing theft, operational weaknesses or accounting gaps? It’s probably a combination, but most aren’t saying.

  • A person wearing sunglasses pushes a baby in a store cart.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Walmart brings Sparky to ChatGPT as OpenAI rethinks Instant Checkout

    OpenAI is pivoting away from handling purchases after its initial efforts failed to provide enough flexibility.

  • Amanda Bailey, Lowe's Vice President of Customer Marketing and Loyalty, speaks to an audience at Shoptalk Spring
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    Permission granted by Shoptalk
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    How Lowe’s creator network is winning over the next generation of shoppers

    The home improvement retailer has partnered with content creators like MrBeast to connect with Gen Alpha long before they purchase their first home.

  • A lit-up "Sephora" sign in white letters, with a small black "Sephora" sign jutting out below.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Sephora launches app in ChatGPT

    The AI-enhanced experience will give customers advice and help them discover products, according to Global Chief Digital Officer Anca Marola. 

  • A screen with a person and product images on it.
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    Courtesy of Puma
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    Puma debuts AI concierge at Las Vegas store

    A multilingual assistant in a large digital display will automatically detect the language a shopper speaks and answer their questions about products.

  • Sven Gerjets talks with Gabrielle Fonrouge at Shoptalk Las Vegas 2026.
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    Courtesy of Shoptalk
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    How Gap Inc. is ‘leaning in’ to AI to elevate online shopping

    The apparel retailer is accelerating its digital experience with two new partnerships, CTO Sven Gerjets told an audience at Shoptalk.

  • A group of four people in casual clothing, sitting and standing.
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    Courtesy of On
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    On CEO’s ‘planned hiatus’ comes as a surprise

    The sneaker brand is shaking up its C-suite again, less than a year after Martin Hoffmann took over as its sole chief executive.

  • Destination XL storefront
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    "DXL Men's Apparel store located in Natick, MA." by JCarnellDXLG is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    GLP-1 users are changing apparel trends

    Some categories, like intimates, are already seeing shifts as shoppers buy clothes for new body sizes and routines, according to a Circana report.

  • A Dollar Tree storefront with parked cars and blue skies
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    Nate Delesline III/Retail Dive
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    Wealthy consumers are heading to dollar stores

    Inflation pushed dollar stores to expand their price points. Higher-income shoppers, pressured by the same headwind, came along for the ride.

  • Exterior shot of a Dollar General store.
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    Courtesy of Dollar General
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    Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos to step down, again

    This time, Ahold Delhaize USA executive JJ Fleeman will succeed him as CEO, with Vasos exiting the position in 2027.

  • A FedEx employee delivers boxes
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    FedEx taps OneRail to offer 2-hour, end-of-day delivery

    The two companies will connect customers to more than 1,000 delivery providers through FedEx's SameDay Local service, unveiled Tuesday.

  • A Peloton bike is displayed at a Dick's Sporting Goods store on May 08, 2024 in Daly City, California
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Column

    The Weekly Closeout: Zara partners with John Galliano and Peloton goes to the gym

    The fast-fashion retailer announced a two-year partnership with the designer, while the DTC brand launched its Peloton Commercial Series. 

  • A screenshot of a Home Depot member hub showing recent orders and rewards points.
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    Retrieved from Home Depot on March 23, 2026
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    The Home Depot beefs up digital shopping experience for pros

    As it pursues home improvement professionals, the retailer is enhancing the online experience with tools for better project management.

  • A person with long red hair leans on a table.
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    Courtesy of Puig
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    Estée Lauder, Puig in merger talks

    The tie-up would diversify each company’s portfolio somewhat but might look better on paper, some analysts said.

  • JCPenney's Paris, Texas fashion show
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    Courtesy of JCPenney
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    Why J.C. Penney’s spring campaign bowed with a Paris, Texas, fashion show

    Marisa Thalberg, chief customer and marketing officer at operating parent Catalyst Brands, digs into the “Exactly What You Are (and Aren’t) Looking For” effort.

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    Prensa Internacional/Zuma Wire/Alamy

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    Simon Property Group CEO David Simon dies at 64

    The real estate magnate’s son Eli Simon on Monday took over as CEO and president and will also continue as chief operating officer.

  • A person walking by a Bark sign
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    Courtesy of Bark
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    Bark won’t go private, for now

    The online pet company said one recent take-private proposal was withdrawn and another "did not adequately reflect the value of the company."

    DTC
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    Getty Images
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    The US consumer is hitting a rough patch

    Even before the Iran war’s oil price spikes, people were getting more cautious about spending. That means buying less from retailers.

  • People running wearing Brooks shoes.
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    Courtesy of Brooks Running
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    Brooks shuffles C-suite as it eyes expansion

    The running brand is restructuring to focus global leaders on long-term priorities like market and category expansion.

  • A store sign hanging from a rafter in a city center.
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    "The Children's Place" by Phillip Pessar is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    The Children’s Place refines supply chain leadership roles

    The retailer expanded Kristin Clifford’s role to senior vice president, head of sourcing and product operations, as part of a larger executive shuffle.

  • An Amazon Prime delivery being made
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    Courtesy of Amazon
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    Column

    The Weekly Closeout: Amazon notches a win against Perplexity, Reebok reenters soccer

    The e-commerce giant got a temporary order blocking access for Perplexity’s AI shopping agents, while the athletics brand signed two professional soccer players.