#retail-trends

#retail-trends

There was no forever in store for Forever 21's US stores. The same goes for fellow bankrupt companies Joann Fabrics and Party City, which joined the fast-fashion brand in closing their brick-and-mortars over the past year. We experienced another slaughter for physical stores at large in 2025 as inflation and high operational costs ate away at profit margins and shoppers continued to purchase from their couches. Tween favorite Claire's, department stores Kohl's and Macy's, and discount retailer Big Lots were also victims.

Forget the vinyl revival. CD players and compact discs are back on Christmas lists this year amid a wave of 90s nostalgia and coveted deluxe releases from big acts such as Taylor Swift and Pink Floyd. Demand for compact discs peaked in the mid-00s and many households ditched their systems and libraries as digital music took off. But the distinctive whirr is returning to bedrooms around the country, with retailers and marketplaces experiencing an uptick in appetite for vintage tech and music to play on it.

Forget influencers and glossy magazines-this holiday season, Americans are turning to each other for shopping advice. New data from Trustpilot's National Write a Review Week campaign shows a 76% YoY spike in consumer reviews. The initiative, which ran October 20-24, attracted ~4 million visitors nationwide-a 63% jump from the same period in 2024-signaling how heavily shoppers are relying on feedback from real buyers. Trustpilot's AI and Black Friday shopping analysis reinforced the trend as 86% of shoppers checked reviews before making a holiday purchase.

For years, the tween jewelry retailer has struggled to find its footing amid dying mall culture. In August, it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in seven years, citing the "continued trend away from brick and mortar" and higher interest rates. It has since agreed to sell its North American business, including at least 795 stores, to private equity firm Ames Watson in a deal worth $140 million.

New figures revealed by the consumer researchers NeilsonIQ show Gen X consumers will spend $15.2 trillion (around £11.28 trillion) this year worldwide, eclipsing the Baby Boomers' $13.5 trillion (£10.02 trillion). In fact, Baby Boomers are also likely to be outspent by Millennials (people born between 1981 and 1996) this year. Millennials' spending could reach $14.7 trillion (£10.91 trillion), knocking Boomers into third place.

Goldman Sachs valued the creator economy at around $250 billion in 2024, and have forecast it to double to around $480 billion by 2027.

Many small businesses in San Francisco have vanished due to high rents, increased competition, and high labor costs, leading to a decline in community character.

Walgreens plans to permanently shut its Codman Square location on September 10, joining a trend of closures affecting predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods.

Trader Joe's is in growth mode, adding 30 new locations that will push it past 600 stores nationally. The expansion-spanning California, Texas, New York, Oklahoma, and more-is a striking contrast to the wave of retail closures hitting other chains.

You can get through most of London now without touching a coin. The bar, the bus, the cinema, even a takeaway from a late-night chicken shop, tap and go. Most people don't ask if cash is accepted anymore. They assume it isn't. Most of the time, they're right.

As malls struggle with traditional retail, Serramonte has embraced a vibrant Asian food scene, transforming itself into a culinary destination with new eateries.

"Today, we no longer 'go shopping'-we are always shopping-but that hasn't made the experience more exciting. Instead, online retail has become a functional necessity, optimized for speed but stripped of surprise and spontaneity."

As people tighten their budgets, stores like T.J. Maxx could become even more popular, indicating a shift towards budget-friendly home decorating options.

Walmart maintains its dominance with over 21% of US grocery spending, having more than twice the market share of its closest competitor, Kroger.

As average flock sizes increase, customers are learning the challenges of raising chickens, with many new buyers unaware of the costs involved in maintaining a poultry.

Amazon's absence of first-party Nintendo Switch products marks a significant shift, directly affecting preorder availability and limiting access to popular Nintendo titles for US customers.