Holidays

Amazon brings delivery boxes to life with AR Halloween activities

First appearing around Prime Day, scannable packages may compel shoppers to engage with festive experiences beyond purchasing products.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 13, 2020

Walmart turns again to parking lots for family-friendly experiences

This summer the retail giant offered virtual camps and drive-in movies, and is now hosting Halloween and college football events.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 13, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Trendline

Holidays

2020 is likely to be anything but traditional. E-commerce was already a big story in 2019, and with the specter of a coronavirus resurgence looming over the season this year that trend could accelerate.

By Retail Dive staff

As holiday shopping begins, half of consumers hurt economically by pandemic

A new report from PwC found that many consumers are grappling with lost income and jobs, and a majority are also concerned about COVID-19 in stores. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 12, 2020

J.C. Penney, Kohl's latest to leverage Prime Day for holiday promotions

Amazon's red-letter event always attracts rivals, but in a year when retailers need to get going on the season, it's getting extra attention.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 12, 2020

Holiday sales growth won't reach 2% this year, CBRE says

E-commerce could surge more than 40%, however, eclipsing last season's record 14% year-over-year rise, according to a report from the real estate firm.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 12, 2020

In-store holiday traffic could drop by up to a quarter from last year

However, Black Friday will remain a popular shopping day for retailers, a new report predicts.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 12, 2020

Black Friday's too late this year. Is Prime Day just in time?

The pandemic forced Amazon to postpone its annual sale event until now, and that could be an opportunity for all retailers this season.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 12, 2020

Target teams with FAO Schwarz for exclusive toy collection

The collection includes 70 items, and the iconic toy brand will also offer 300 of the mass merchant's products at its New York flagship.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris and Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 09, 2020

Retailers brace for more pandemic trouble

An uneasy economy and relentless disease outbreak are threatening a repeat of the second quarter as the holidays approach.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 09, 2020

Sam's Club adds 2K permanent supply chain workers, launches ship-from-store for peak

The company expects approximately one-fifth of online orders to ship from Sam's Club locations.

By Emma Cosgrove • Oct. 09, 2020

Best Buy joins the Prime Day bandwagon with early sale

The electronics retailer is the latest to announce Black Friday deals on days that happen to coincide with Amazon's big event.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 08, 2020

Pandemic stimulus delay alarms retailers as holidays loom

The president sent several confusing tweets Tuesday, hobbling renewal of a relief package that observers have credited with bolstering sales.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 07, 2020

Amazon releases holiday gift guides before Prime Day

Shoppers can also use Alexa for inspiration by using prompts like "Alexa, give me holiday gift ideas," or "Alexa, find funny gifts." 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 07, 2020

Party City tapped by Nextdoor for Halloween AR 'treat map'

The collaboration could inspire families to celebrate the holiday in a way that follows social distancing guidelines during the pandemic.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 07, 2020

Lowe's to offer curbside trick-or-treating this Halloween

The retailer is offering candy and pumpkins as shoppers look for safe alternatives to celebrate the season in the middle of a pandemic. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 06, 2020

No new stimulus could slow or halt consumer spending: NRF

Though it's unclear how consumers will shop this holiday season, the trade group remains "cautiously optimistic" about the all-important fourth quarter.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 05, 2020

Ghosts, ghouls and social distancing: A fractured Halloween haunts Party City

Consumers aren't abandoning the holiday, but they are celebrating it — and shopping — differently this year. What does that mean for specialists?

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 05, 2020

NRF calls on consumers to shop earlier in ad campaign

With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to spread, the trade group stressed not waiting "until Thanksgiving weekend to kick off your gift shopping."

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 02, 2020

Crate and Barrel's first digital-only catalog debuts on Pinterest

The first time the retailer foregoes a print catalog comes as Pinterest sees greater interest for children's furnishings amid distance learning.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 30, 2020

Walmart plans online sale that parallels Prime Day

The retailer joins Target in competing with Amazon's big sale event as all three giants adapt to a longer and earlier holiday season. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Sept. 30, 2020

Target is throwing its own sale party on Amazon's Prime Day

The retailer is hosting its own digital event to launch the holiday shopping period while it plans to extend Black Friday discounts through November.

By Ben Unglesbee • Sept. 29, 2020

Will customer acquisition be the nightmare before Christmas?

While DTC brands have long struggled with acquiring customers online, their problems may be more heightened than ever this year.

By Caroline Jansen • Sept. 28, 2020

Amazon sets October Prime Day dates after months-long delay

A sales event that usually takes place in July could now be a force in a wildly different and uncertain holiday period. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Sept. 28, 2020

Target to double holiday staffing for same-day services

The retailer said that 10 million new customers shopped its website and demand for its same-day fulfillment options quadrupled in the first half of 2020.

By Ben Unglesbee • Sept. 25, 2020

Walmart hiring 20K in e-commerce ops for the holidays

The retailer is gearing up for an online-heavy season as it also boosts categories in demand amid the pandemic. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Sept. 24, 2020