Lululemon, once the undisputed leader in premium athleisure, is facing a wake-up call: consumers are calling its assortment predictable, competitors like Alo and Vuori are gaining traction, and even Costco’s dupes are stealing attention. While the activewear category overall is growing, Lululemon’s slower trend adoption, reliance on core products, and muted casual offerings have left the brand vulnerable. Now, with sales softening in North America and analysts warning of cracks in its core, the retailer is doubling down on innovation—promising to increase new styles, lean into AI-driven product design, and recapture the excitement that made it a powerhouse. Whether this strategy is enough to keep its $100 leggings a must-have remains to be seen.

Forever 21 is entering a new phase after its U.S. operator filed for bankruptcy and shuttered all stores earlier this year. Authentic Brands Group has secured three fresh partnerships to keep the brand alive digitally and in wholesale: Unique Brands will oversee U.S. e-commerce and men’s wholesale, Mark Edwards Apparel will manage women’s wholesale, and Kidz Concepts will handle kidswear. While its U.S. brick-and-mortar era has ended, Forever 21 continues to reach consumers through online channels, wholesale, and select international pop-ups. Still, the brand faces tough competition from low-cost rivals like Shein and Temu, as well as shifting consumer habits — making this digital-first revival a challenging but strategic next chapter.

Rising medical and liability claims costs are reshaping the retail earnings picture, even for the industry’s strongest performers. Walmart, Dollar Tree, Dollar General, and Best Buy all flagged higher claim expenses in Q2 — with Walmart alone taking a $450 million hit beyond expectations. While claim volumes remain steady, settlement costs are climbing sharply, cutting into operating income and driving up SG&A expenses. With health plan costs projected to keep rising in 2025, retailers are bracing for continued financial pressure, even as sales growth remains strong across the board.

Toys“R”Us is making a big comeback, expanding both in the U.S. and internationally just in time for the holiday season. Partnering with Go! Retail Group, the brand will debut 10 new flagships and 20 pop-up holiday shops by year’s end, starting with Chicago Premium Outlets on Sept. 20. The retailer is also growing its presence on military bases and entering new global markets like Chile, Morocco, and Lebanon, while strengthening its footprint in the U.K., Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea. With fresh in-store experiences, global activations, and the return of fan-favorite events, Toys“R”Us is doubling down on bringing joy to kids and families everywhere.

Books Inc., the 174-year-old California-based bookstore chain, has filed a motion to sell its assets to a Barnes & Noble affiliate for $3.25 million. If approved, the deal will allow Books Inc. to preserve its independent branding and continue operating nine stores, while loyalty points and gift cards remain valid. The acquisition marks another step in Barnes & Noble’s expansion strategy, following its 2024 purchase of Tattered Cover, and underscores how the once-feared national chain is now seen as a lifeline for struggling independents in an industry reshaped by Amazon and shifting consumer habits.

Mall traffic slowed in August 2025 as cautious consumers trimmed spending and shortened shopping trips, according to Placer.ai’s Mall Index. Indoor mall visits ticked up slightly year-over-year, while open-air and outlet malls saw minimal declines. Average visit times also dropped, signaling a shift toward efficiency and essentials. With the holiday season approaching, malls have an opportunity to bounce back by emphasizing value, convenience, and engaging in-store experiences to draw shoppers.

Dollar Tree is thriving after shedding Family Dollar, posting a 12.3% jump in Q2 sales to $4.6 billion and a 6.5% comp increase driven by higher traffic and bigger baskets. The retailer opened 106 new stores, converted 585 locations to its multi-price format, and raised full-year guidance as it attracts value-seeking shoppers across all income levels. With tariffs looming in the second half of the year, Dollar Tree’s expanded pricing assortment and growing appeal to middle- and high-income consumers position it for sustained growth and a sharper competitive edge in discount retail.

Colliers is taking retail foot traffic insights to the next level through its partnership with Placer.ai. The collaboration blends Placer.ai’s powerful analytics with Colliers’ commercial real estate expertise, helping clients understand not just how many shoppers visit stores like Hobby Lobby, Staples, and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet—but also where those visitors come from, where they go next, and how events like farmer’s markets impact ROI. With these deeper layers of insight, Colliers is arming retailers, investors, and developers with data-driven strategies to optimize site selection, marketing, and property performance.