Tanger CEO Yalof says consumers still spending despite low confidence
U.S. shoppers are willing to spend this holiday season — despite falling consumer confidence and anxiety over prices — but only if the deals are there, Tanger CEO Stephen Yalof told CNBC on Tuesday. “Retailers are discounting to meet the consumer, and the consumer is responding by shopping,” Yalof said on Continue Reading
Consumers take on more credit card debt this holiday
Every year, Hillary Lanier puts her holiday shopping on credit, racking up debt that takes months to pay off. This season, the production planner said her total balance across four credit cards is in the five-figure range. “It’s definitely higher prices,” she said. Lanier, who buys gifts for her parents, Continue Reading
Visa says holiday spending rose 4.2% via AI, tech and apparel growth
U.S. consumers showed resilience this holiday season, driving retail spending up 4.2% year over year, according to preliminary data released Tuesday by Visa. The report from Visa Consulting and Analytics indicated that despite lingering economic headwinds, shoppers were still spending, particularly on technology and personal goods. The findings tracked payments Continue Reading
Supplements and wellness grow as Christmas gifts
Ulta is expanding its wellness shop to have more health-focused brands and more shelf space for those items. Melissa Repko ? CNBC Santa may be bringing you some supplements this year. Along with typical holiday wish list items like clothing, perfume and gadgets, the wellness category is poised to gain Continue Reading
Why the chocolate in your holiday candy could be ‘fake’ this year
Planet A Foods’ ChoViva chocolate alternative Planet A Foods If you’re unwrapping chocolate this holiday season, it might not contain any actual cocoa. Market turbulence, ethical concerns and sustainability questions have sparked a movement among some chocolate makers to scrap cocoa in favor of alternative ingredients — prompting calls that Continue Reading
Here are 5 key events that drove the stock market last week
Stocks finished higher Friday, lifted by the volatile artificial intelligence trade, leading the market to the upside for the week. The S & P 500 eked out a 0.1% weekly gain, while the Nasdaq gained 0.5%. While logging three positive weeks in the past four, the indexes were still modestly Continue Reading
How Build-A-Bear went from a penny stock to a retail winner
Build-A-Bear Workshop wasn’t always a retail winner. The toy store, known for its interactive experience of building and accessorizing stuffed animals, has gone through a significant turnaround since CEO Sharon Price John took the helm of the company over a decade ago. “When I first came in 2013, that assessment Continue Reading
Christmas shoppers focus on quality rather than deals
While discounts drive purchasing in the early days of the holiday shopping season, consumers are shifting into more thoughtful, quality gifts in the back half of the season as total spending growth slows. U.S. consumers had spent $187.3 billion so far online between Nov. 1 and Dec. 12, up 6.1% Continue Reading
Claire’s owner Ames Watson feuds with Asia suppliers during bankruptcy
Chris Ratcliffe | Bloomberg | Getty Images Tween retailer Claire’s is facing legal challenges from some of its Asia-based suppliers over millions in unpaid debts as it tries to emerge from a second bankruptcy under new ownership, according to claims the suppliers filed in Hong Kong. The clash with vendors Continue Reading
Wall Street deals 2025 under Trump: Tariffs, uncertainty slow M&A
The Wall Street Bull statue covered in snow on Nov. 15, 2018. Erik Mcgregor | Lightrocket | Getty Images Wall Street expected U.S. mergers and acquisitions to roar back in 2025. The reality was something closer to fits and starts. Following the re-election of President Donald Trump more than a Continue Reading