AI shopping assistants are gaining traction, especially among Gen Z, but widespread adoption is still lagging due to deep-rooted skepticism and trust issues. While 43% of Americans are aware of these tools, only 14% have actually used one—many citing a preference for human help, privacy concerns, or simply not seeing the need.

Still, curiosity exists: two-thirds of non-users say they'd consider AI for price comparisons or product recommendations. And despite consumer hesitation, major players like Amazon, Google, and Walmart are all-in, rolling out AI-powered features to guide, suggest, and even style your next purchase. With more retailers boosting AI investments, it’s clear the tech is here to stay—whether shoppers are ready or not.

Despite a rocky first half of the year marked by bankruptcies, inflation, and store closures from names like Party City, Joann, and Rite Aid, the retail industry is far from down for the count. Big players like Burlington, Aldi, Five Below, and Nordstrom Rack are charging ahead with aggressive expansion plans, while long-dormant Barnes & Noble is back in growth mode with smaller, curated stores.

Even more exciting: digitally native brands are breathing new life into brick-and-mortar retail. From Eastside Golf’s stylish airport debut to Princess Polly’s Gen Z-focused flagship in NYC, brands like Oofos, Perigold, and Rocksbox are proving there’s still plenty of energy—and innovation—on the ground. Warby Parker’s 300th store opening underscores the enduring potential of physical retail, even in uncertain times.

This holiday season, shoppers are ready to spend, but expect them to be savvier than ever! Despite ongoing economic pressures, consumers aren't cutting back on holiday cheer; instead, they'll be making strategic trade-offs to prioritize gifts for family and cherished traditions. Get ready for a blend of online Browse and in-store visits, with discounts and convenience reigning supreme as shoppers use every tool to stretch their budgets.

Tween retailer Claire's, a once-publicly traded company now owned by Elliott Management Corp. and Monarch Alternative Capital, faces an uncertain future. Despite shedding $1.9 billion in debt after its 2018 Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the company is once again teetering on the brink. A heavy reliance on Chinese manufacturing for its affordable accessories, combined with new tariffs, has significantly increased costs and burdened its already high debt load. With deferred interest payments and intense competition from e-tailers like Shein and Temu, along with a business model reliant on steep discounts, Claire's is struggling to stay afloat, leading to speculation about another potential bankruptcy filing or a search for a buyer.

Florida's largest mall, Aventura Mall, has officially been named the No. 1 mall in America by USA Today! Boasting over 300 tenants, this retail paradise between Miami and Fort Lauderdale impressed judges with its remarkable museum-quality art collection, an exhilarating chrome slide tower by artist Carsten Holler, and the distinction of being Florida's first home to Eataly.

Physical stores still dominate retail, with 77% of purchases made in-person in 2025—even as AI and e-commerce continue to grow. According to EY research, most consumers still prefer to shop for fresh food, snacks, and beverages offline, and 94% make final purchase decisions in-store after browsing online.

EY’s Jon Copestake warns retailers not to underestimate the value of brick-and-mortar. While AI tools assist shoppers, few trust them to complete purchases. Instead, stores are crucial for discovery, promotions, and building loyalty.

Forward-thinking retailers are reimagining their physical spaces with services like rentals, repairs, and immersive experiences. As Copestake says, “If you're cutting stores, you may be missing a significant trick.”

In Doral, once-busy streets and shops are suddenly quiet as fear spreads among immigrant communities following the rollback of legal protections like TPS and the CHNV parole program. The Biden-era policy had allowed over 500,000 immigrants from countries like Venezuela and Haiti to live and work legally in the U.S., but recent reversals by the Trump administration have left many without work authorization—and too afraid to leave home.

The impact is already being felt in South Florida’s construction and development sectors, where immigrants make up more than 25% of the workforce. With workplace raids increasing and employers required to use E-Verify under Florida’s SB 1718, developers may face labor shortages, project delays, and rising costs. Industry leaders warn that this could be just the beginning.

Mall traffic dipped slightly in June 2025, ending a two-month streak of growth, as shoppers pulled back following a spring surge possibly fueled by anticipated tariff hikes. Indoor malls showed the most resilience, with visits down just 0.7% year-over-year, while outlet malls saw the steepest decline at 4.4%.

Despite the June slowdown, the first half of 2025 painted a largely positive picture: indoor mall visits rose 1.8%, open-air centers grew 0.6%, and average visit duration increased across all formats—indicating stronger consumer engagement. Notably, indoor malls edged past pre-pandemic levels for the first time, up 0.3% from 2019.

The recovery continues, with open-air centers maintaining the most consistent post-COVID performance, and indoor malls closing the gap. As Placer.ai notes, the mall rebound story is still unfolding.