"Consumers are conditioned to spend even when they're feeling pressured. Nearly a third of consumers were prepared and ready to take on debt this season to make their holiday purchases,” said our analyst Zak Stambor on a recent episode of “Behind the Numbers.”

Once seen as a revenue channel, commerce media is fast becoming the connective tissue between brands, retailers, and consumers. The industry’s focus is expanding from monetization to meaning, a theme that resonated throughout Advertising Week New York.

Toys R Us will open 10 new flagship stores and 20 seasonal holiday shops by year-end, doubling down on its return to physical retail. If the retailer can consistently find ways to make in-store shopping fun, its strong name recognition and nostalgic pull should help it recapture meaningful market share.

Macy’s better-than-expected Q2 marks “the beginning of a momentum change,” CEO Tony Spring told Bloomberg, as the struggling department store finds its footing ahead of the holiday season. Macy’s is in a better position than most of its department store peers, thanks to its investments in the customer experience and its luxury banners. However, recovery could prove fleeting should consumer sentiment worsen and shoppers balk at higher prices. To keep its momentum going, Macy’s will need to continue investing in the customer experience and look for ways to differentiate its luxury banners.

Brands are staying quiet this Pride Month: Retailers that once loudly proclaimed their LGBTQ+ initiatives are keeping mum to avoid government attention.

Tariffs overshadow Macy’s turnaround progress: Sales fell less than expected on strength at Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury, but pressures on discretionary spending could add to department store headwinds.

Amazon and Walmart dominate the landscape, but the other half of US ecommerce sales is still up for grabs.

Macy’s makes strides in Q4, but pressures persist: Revamped stores show improvement, but the company’s turnaround is a work in progress.

This earnings season revealed retailers with strong value propositions and efficient omnichannel operations are positioned to outperform, while those relying on middle-market discretionary spending face challenges.

Walmart recently bought Monroeville Mall near Pittsburgh, signaling either a massive retail expansion plan or a shrewd real estate grab. Either way, the purchase strengthens Walmart's market foothold while adding rental income. This isn't a random acquisition but a calculated move.

Skechers, Anta join the parade of sneaker brands capitalizing on Nike’s missteps: Both companies are thriving thanks to a focus on underserved markets and big-name partnerships

Macy’s struggles attract another activist investor: Barington Capital is pushing the retailer to boost its stock price by reducing capex, rethinking its real estate strategy, and potentially offloading Bloomingdale’s.

Kohl’s is in trouble: The struggling department store hopes a new CEO will rescue it from a series of missteps that weighed heavily on its Q3 performance.

NBCU will have to pay extra to keep the Macy’s parade: The retailer wants $60 million for a new Thanksgiving Day broadcast contract.

And they likely won’t be coming down anytime soon due to the CFPB’s late-fee rule

Ahead of this year’s highly competitive holiday season, retailers like Dollar General, Neiman Marcus, and Amazon are releasing print versions of their holiday catalogs, focusing on curation, inspiration, and showcasing the best deals.

Co-brands can be a valuable loyalty and revenue driver for merchants, and there’s plenty of room for them to grow

Consumers plan to return to malls this holiday season, shop more in-person: Mall visits are expected to rise 18%, which is good news for department stores—although Amazon, Walmart, and Target remain top destinations.

Capri blames Michael Kors’ decline on excessive discounting: The luxury brand’s attempt to stay competitive by slashing prices hurt its cachet and handed momentum to labels like Coach.

Low- and high-earning consumers are shopping at Walmart, while income groups splinter for off-price fashion retailers. Temu draws households from rural areas, and Amazon shoppers come in all ages. Here are five key stats from Coresight Research’s August 2024 report, “US Consumer Survey Insights Extra,” to help marketers refine their targeting strategies.