November 30 – A Measure of Success: Independent Retailer Index
38% of respondents reported that sales increased in Q2 2025 versus Q2 2024. From: Hardware Retailing
November 26 – Belk Set to Debut Smaller Store Concept with Local Flavors
Each of the Belk Market stores will offer a curated assortment of national and private label brands in the smaller footprint. HomePage News
November 26 – Aldi Opens 16 Stores in One Day
Aldi has opened over 180 stores over the past year, according to a Grocery Dive analysis. From: Grocery Dive
November 26 – Burlington Registers Q3 Gains, But Home Softened by Tariff Mitigation
As for full-year guidance, Burlington now expects total sales to increase by 8%, comps to increase in the range of 1% to 2%. From: HomePage News
Dick’s Turnaround at Foot Locker Includes Store Closures, Inventory Reset
The company will also right size assets “that don’t align with our go-forward vision,” per a release. From: Retail Dive
November 26 – Circana: Expect More Selective Gift Shoppers This Holiday Season
Circana reported the top types of planned physical holiday gifts this year, coming in about the same as 2024, with home at 29%. From: HomePage News
November 25 – Best Buy Rides Consumer Tech Surge to Better-Than-Expected Q3
The company reported tariff effects were minimal on its pricing across the enterprise, mitigated by company efforts and the inherently promotional nature of the consumer tech sector. From: HomePage News
November 25 – Monthly Retail Sales from the US Commerce Department
Retail sales in the segments covered by Retail Dive rose 5.7% year over year in September to about $243 billion and Home Goods sales rose 3.3%. From: Retail Dive
November 25 – Kohl’s Beats Street in Q3 With Help from Home Product Gains
“Our home business showed the largest improvement in the quarter, running in line with company performance,” said Michael Bender, Kohl’s CEO. From: HomePage News
November 25 – Best Buy Rides Consumer Tech Surge to Better-Than-Expected Q3
Bed Bath & Beyond is acquiring The Brand House Collective, formerly Kirkland’s, in a completion of what has been a steady process of investments and operational alignments. From: HomePage News
November 24 – Value City Furniture Owner Files for Bankruptcy Citing Housing Crisis
A Value City Furniture store in Westland, Michigan, on March 16, 2012. Parent company American Signature Inc. saw net sales drop nearly $150 million from 2024 to 2025. From: Retail Dive
November 24 – Record Number of Consumers Are Hungry to Shop Thanksgiving Weekend
The total number of people planning to shop is up by more than 3 million shoppers from the record 183.4 million intended shoppers in 2024, according to NRF. From: HomePage News
November 24 – New York Bans Grocers from Refusing Cash Payments
The state of New York now joins New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York City, San Francisco and Philadelphia in banning cashless stores. From: Progressive Grocer
November 24 – BJ’s Still Working to Boost General Merchandise After Mixed Q3
BJ’s also has slated club openings for Mesquite, TX, and Foley, AL Springfield, MA, Sumter, SC, Chattanooga, TN, Selma, NC, and Castleberry and Delray, FL. From: HomePage News
November 24 – Kohl’s Removes Interim Tag from New CEO Bender
Kohl’s Corp. has appointed Michael Bender as CEO, following his May appointment as interim chief executive. From: HomePage News
November 21 – Salesforce: Signs Look Good for Cyber Week Sales Growth
Salesforce reported, Cyber Week sales should reach $334 billion worldwide, up 6% year over year, and $78 billion in the U.S., up 3% year over year. From: HomePage News
November 21 – Target Ready with Black Friday Discounts, ChatGPT Shopping
Black Friday deals include up to 50% off small appliances and floorcare from brands including Dyson, Bissell and Instant Pot, Target noted. From: HomePage News
November 21 – Ross Says Holiday Outlook Bright After Q3 Exceeds Expectations
As for the holiday season, Jim Conroy, Ross CEO, said that the company is optimistic about its prospects, with chances enhanced “by our ongoing focus on delivering quality, branded merchandise at exceptional value”. From: HomePage News
November 20 – Aldi to Host Holiday Pop-Up in NYC
The pop-up will feature a beverage bar, charcuterie meats and cheeses served in ornaments, hors d’oeuvres, hot cacao and desserts, as well as Aldi Finds holiday decor and photo-ops. From: Grocery Dive
November 20 – Wayfair Holiday Promotions Highlight Housewares Discounts
Starting 12 a.m. eastern time on November 28, the company will offer discounts on limited quantities of top brands, including a Phillips Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine for $319.99, a Spode Dinnerware set for $99.99 and a Henckels Knife set for $119.99. From: HomePage News
November 20 – Lowe’s Q3 Comp Gains Get Boost from Appliances, Lawn and Garden
Appliances and lawn and garden were among the product categories that helped Lowe’s Cos. turn in comparable sales gains for the third quarter. From: HomePage News
November 20 – QVC Launches Holiday Pop-Up in New York City
Reimagined as Mrs. Claus’ Holiday House, the event is spread across 10 rooms including the Claus-et, Yuletide Lounge, Kringle Kitchenette and a Haute Chocolate Bar. From: Retail Dive
November 20 – Walmart Maintains Momentum in Q3 With Help from Home Products, Digital
Comparable sales without the effects of fuel price volatility were up 4.5% in the quarter year over year, with transactions gaining 1.8% and average ticket 2.7%. From: HomePage News
November 20 – Hestan’s First Brand Store, Restaurant Opening in Napa Valley
The Hestan store will feature Italian-made Hestan cookware, U.S.-made Hestan appliances and wine from Hestan Vineyards in Napa Valley. From: HomePage News
November 19 – Williams-Sonoma Pushes Back Against Headwinds to Post Solid Q3
Third-quarter results reflect efforts by the retailer to maintain momentum in furniture and other home products while mitigating the effects of tariffs and leveraging its portfolio of store banners. From: HomePage News
November 19 – SharkNinja, Boston University La. nch AI & Analytics Lab to Fuel Innovation
The SharkNinja AI & Analytics Lab will provide a structured, faculty-led environment for advanced analytics, artificial intelligence and business insight generation, according to the company. From: HomePage News
November 19 – TJX Raises Guidance After Home Contributes to Better-Than-Expected Q3 Gains
Comparable sales advanced 5% in the quarter year over year, with the Marmaxx division, including the T.J. Maxx and Marshalls banners, up 6%, HomeGoods up 5%, TJX Canada up 8% and TJX International up 3% From: HomePage News
November 19 – Target Vows Improvement as Q3 Sags on Discretionary Merchandise Softness
Target also announced a deal that enables consumers to discover and shop its assortment in ChatGPT, part of an effort to reimagine AI-powered shopping as a curated, conversational experience in time for holiday shopping. From: HomePage News
November 18 – eBay: Recommerce Surges as Consumers Prioritize Savings, Sustainability
Gen Z and Millennials are driving recommerce forward, eBay asserted, with 59% of Gen Zer’s and 56% of Millennials surveyed planning to increase their spending on second-hand goods this year. From: HomePage News
November 18 – Kroger Releases Holiday Film
Kroger said it is proud to be the largest cumulative donor to the USO in the organization’s 84-year history, contributing more than $44 million, including an additional $1 million this year. From: Drug Store News
November 18 – ICSC: Thanksgiving Weekend Bargains Still a Big Deal for Consumers
Strong participation in Thanksgiving weekend shopping across generations reinforces the significance of Thanksgiving weekend, ICSC maintained. From: HomePage News
November 18 – Home Depot Q3 Disappoints Although Appliances, Storage Strong
Billy Bastek, Home Depot executive vice president, merchandising, said the best performing product categories in the quarter were appliances, kitchen, storage, outdoor garden, bath, electrical, plumbing, millwork, and hardware. From: HomePage News
November 18 – Consumer Economic Concerns Weigh on 2025 Holiday Spending
The survey sponsors asserted U.S. consumers are finding ways to cope with conditions and celebrate the holiday season, but they’re doing so with more caution and creativity than in past years. From: HomePage News
November 17 – Facebook Enhances Marketplace Connections, Links to Poshmark, eBay
Facebook is launching a feature dubbed Collections that enables shoppers to create marketplace group listings and invite friends to join. From: HomePage News
November 17 – Dollar General Taps New Operations, Merchandising Chiefs
Announcing several executive changes, Dollar General named Emily Taylor as its chief operating officer, according to a Thursday press release. From: Retail Dive
November 17 – Survey: Shoppers Willing to Give AI a Try This Holiday Season
“Consumers are planning a healthy mix of in-person and online shopping over the Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend and throughout the holiday season,” said Luke Damian, Applause chief growth officer. From: HomePage News
November 14 – ISM: Services Sector Gained in October with Bump from Retail
The Institute for Supply Management reported the services sector returned to expansion in October, registering Purchasing Managers Index reading of 52.4 with a boost from retail. From: HomePage News
November 14 – Circana: Consumer Resiliency Being Tested This Holiday Season
Declines in discretionary spending and unit demand as the holiday shopping season gets underway are an indication of current consumer volatility, according to Circana. From: HomePage News
November 13 – Retail basics propel Dillard’s in Q3
Dillards has recently gained market share, thanks to its attention to retail basics and recent introduction of more fashionable brands, analysts say. From: Retail Dive
November 12 – 1939 Group Names Its 1st President
David Bell will lead the company that owns Festival Foods, Hometown Grocers, and Schnuck Markets. From: Store Brands
November 12 – Walmart CEO Doug McMillon to retire, John Furner to succeed
McMillon will remain on the board until June to support the transition and serve as an adviser to Furner through January 2027. From: Retail Dive
November 12 – Home Depot’s heartfelt holiday ads showcase Christmas tree farmers
A series of social media videos accompanying the campaign spotlight Home Depot’s tree lot associates along with tree farm partners from Sexton Farms, who dig deeper into the history of the family run business. From: Retail Dive
November 12 – Black Friday Deals Return to Walgreens
The retailer announced that it will launch holiday savings on toys, games, home goods, beauty items, and seasonal gifts. From: Drug Store News
November 11 – Conference Board: Consumer Confidence Slip Could Crimp Holiday Spending
Consumers surveyed expect to spend 3.9% less on gifts and 12% less on non-gift purchases. From: HomePage News
November 11 – Veterans Bring Valuable Skills to the Home Improvement Industry
For business owners, employing former service members recognizes a veteran’s service and is a strategic workforce investment. From: Hardware Retailing
November 11 – Amazon Reveals Black Friday/Cyber Monday Home Deals, Low-Price ‘Haul’ Event
The Amazon low-price Haul operation is designed to compete against Temu, Shein and other China-based bargain operators, including the Alibaba marketplace. From: HomePage News
November 11 – Port Volume Slows as Retail Adjusts to Changing Tariff Realities
Tariff-driven caution that contributed to store shelves being stocked early for the holidays this year will exacerbate the usual seasonal slowdown in import cargo volume at major U.S. ports in November and December. From: HomePage News
November 10 – Adobe: October Online Sales Gains Boosted by AI, Promotions, Home Spend
With an October full of retail sales promotions, consumers spent $88.7 billion online, up 8.2% year-over-year. From: HomePage News
November 10 – Ikea Profits Take a Hit from Tariffs, Affordability Effort
The home goods giant has worked to blunt the impact of U.S. tariffs and rising commodity prices and paid for that on the bottom line. From: Retail Dive
November 10 – Costco Comps Kept Gaining in October
Comparable sales (excluding gasoline and foreign exchange) were up 6.7% year over year in the United States, 8.8% in Canada and 5.1% in other international markets. From: HomePage News
November 10 – NRF: Retail Sales Bounced Back Ahead of Holidays in October
The Retail Monitor calculation of core retail sales, which excludes restaurants in addition to automobile dealers and gasoline stations, gained 0.6% month over month in October and 4.89% year over year. From: HomePage News
November 7 – Hy-Vee partners with customers to meet urgent food pantry needs
Funds collected at each store will be directed weekly to a designated local pantry in each store’s community to help families in need. From: Drug Store News
November 7 – Wayfair’s Evolving Brick-and-Mortar Superstore Strategy Bound for Ohio in 2026
Wayfair reported it intends to expand the company’s physical retail footprint while testing different formats that balance scale, experience and convenience From: HomePage News
November 7 – Retail Industry Remains One of ‘Hardest Hit’ from 2025 Job Cuts
October brought on major layoff announcements from some of the industry’s biggest players. From: Retail Dive
November 6 – Hamilton Beach Reports Adjustments Helped Against Q3 Headwinds
The company reported gradual business improvements as it adjusted to the effects of tariffs on its operation. From: HomePage News
November 6 – SharkNinja Sees Q3 Sales Advance Across All Segments, Names Quigley CFO
The SharkNinja outlook for fiscal 2025 now is for net sales to increase 15% to 15.5%, above the prior expectations of 13% to 15%. From: HomePage News
November 5 – Numerator: Millennials Catching Up to Life Moments
Nearly half of Millennials say they feel behind on key milestones, new research from Numerator’s Generations Hub shows. From: HomePage News
November 5 – QVC Presses Forward with Strategy Despite Q3 Loss
David Rawlinson, QVC Group CEO, said in a conference call that the company will continue pursuing its strategy of building its social shopping operations but is navigating declines in its TV business. From: HomePage News
November 5 – Target Helps Shoppers Prep for Thanksgiving with New Homewares Collab
The housewares and home decorative elements of the holiday push come alongside the 2026 edition of the Target holiday meal for four for under $20. From: HomePage News
November 4 – Amazon Enters Alliance with OpenAI in $38 Billion Deal
AWS has started running and scaling OpenAI’s core artificial intelligence workloads, according to Amazon. From: HomePage News
November 3 – Walmart Alum Lockton Named to Head Bed Bath & Beyond Digital Operations
Rick Lockton responsibilities will include accelerating digital growth, improve conversion and building lifetime value by applying advanced consumer data strategies. From: HomePage News
November 3 – Can Claire’s Make a Comeback?
Investment firm Ames Watson intends to hold a smaller footprint for Claire’s in the U.S. than it previously had, but the company is still bullish on the mall as a shopping destination. From: Retail Dive
November 3 – Macy’s Promoting Housewares Tied to 2025 Thanksgiving Day Parade
Collectibles include drinkware, kids’ dinnerware, portable hydration, home décor, snow globes, toys and apparel. From: HomePage News
November 3 – JCPenney Aims to Capitalize on Traffic Gains with Value-Focused Holiday
JCPenney’s ‘It’s What They Thought That Counts” holiday campaign will emerge in a series of television and social media ads, which will begin airing on November 2 From: HomePage News
November 3 – Walmart Releases New AI Tools To Ease Holiday Shopping
AI helps transform simple product photos into 3D images, bringing immersive, shoppable scenes to life across the platform. From: HomePage News
