Retail sales increased 0.6% month-over-month and 5% year-over-year in October, with core retail sales up 4.9% annually. The National Retail Federation attributed the solid performance to wage growth outpacing inflation, historically low unemployment, and wealth effects from strong stock market valuations. Digital sales rose 22.39% year-over-year, while apparel and accessories increased 7.89%, and sporting goods rose 7.19%. Talk Business Furniture and home furnishings declined 1.7%, and building and garden supply sales dropped 8.52% compared to the previous year. 

Short-term rental company Sonder abruptly ceased operations after Marriott terminated its licensing agreement on November 9, leaving guests with immediate eviction notices. CBS News Guests received emails instructing them to vacate properties immediately, with some discovering their belongings packed and left in hallways. The company announced it would file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy to liquidate U.S. assets, citing significant delays and challenges in integrating with Marriott's technology systems, which resulted in unexpected costs and declining revenue from the Bonvoy reservation system. 

After a post-pandemic rebound, commercial real estate dealmaking has slowed sharply in 2025 — though high-quality assets continue to attract investor capital. Moody’s data shows total CRE deal value up just 5% year-over-year, with a clear flight to quality driving more large-scale transactions. Office properties are seeing renewed interest as tech giants like Apple, Nvidia, and Microsoft snap up discounted campuses, while open-air retail centers are emerging as a surprise winner, drawing nearly half a billion dollars in September investments. Meanwhile, hotels are struggling, with deal value plunging 30% amid weak business travel. Despite uncertainty, deep-pocketed investors are still betting on resilient, well-located assets that can weather today’s economic turbulence.

Electronic shelf labels (ESLs) are transforming from pilot projects into a retail must-have, with major players like Walmart, Target, and Aldi leading the charge in U.S. adoption. These digital price tags help retailers keep pricing accurate, react instantly to market shifts, and cut waste from millions of paper tags. Despite some lawmakers’ concerns about surge pricing, studies show ESLs actually promote more frequent discounts and transparency. Beyond pricing, ESLs boost efficiency, sustainability, and customer trust — helping stores operate smarter and greener in a competitive, tariff-challenged market. As retail evolves, ESLs aren’t just tech upgrades — they’re the new backbone of modern, customer-first retail operations.

As the holiday season kicks into gear, major retailers are racing to get on shoppers’ “nice lists” by perfecting merchandise, tightening inventory, and offering value-driven deals amid ongoing economic pressure. From Saks Global battling vendor tensions and cash flow woes to Lululemon reworking its product strategy to win back lost athleisure market share, Nike balancing its DTC comeback with wholesale relationships, and Mattel gearing up for a crucial toy season, each brand faces unique challenges — and big opportunities. Experts say the key to success this season lies in retail fundamentals: fast shipping, easy returns, and reliable pricing that earn consumer trust during a make-or-break quarter.

Carter’s Inc. is taking bold steps to streamline operations and strengthen profitability amid rising tariffs and cost pressures. The children’s apparel giant plans to close 150 stores across North America by 2027 — up from 100 previously planned — and cut 15% of office-based staff by the end of 2025. These moves are expected to generate over $45 million in annual savings beginning in 2026. Despite challenges, Carter’s saw retail and international sales growth in Q3 2025, signaling steady consumer demand, even as profits slipped sharply due to higher costs. CEO Douglas Palladini said the company remains focused on improving pricing, productivity, and long-term resilience in a shifting retail landscape.

As AI reshapes how consumers discover and buy products, retailers are racing to adapt — even using AI to understand AI itself. According to experts from Wharton and Columbia, generative AI has transformed traditional shopping behavior, replacing keyword searches with personalized, conversation-driven recommendations. Retailers like Target are revamping their e-commerce strategies to ensure products surface in AI chatbot queries, while others experiment with “GEO” (Generative Engine Optimization) to boost visibility in tools like ChatGPT and Gemini. The shift is also fueling innovation in digital consumer personas and AI-driven content creation, though challenges around bias and transparency persist. As one expert put it, the retail playbook isn’t just being rewritten — it’s being reprogrammed.

Despite the rise of e-commerce, in-store shopping remains a cherished holiday tradition for most consumers. According to Quad’s 2025 holiday survey, 74% of shoppers say browsing in stores helps them get into the holiday spirit, and 76% call it a holiday ritual. Shoppers — especially Gen Z — value the joy of discovery, with two-thirds saying their favorite gifts came from in-store finds. The survey also revealed waning enthusiasm for Black Friday, with 84% of respondents preferring meaningful deals spread throughout the season instead of one-day events. For brands, it’s a clear message: the magic of retail still lives in the aisles.