Featured

A record 202.9 million consumers shopped during the five-day holiday weekend from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday. The figure is up from 197 million shoppers last year and surpasses the previous record of 200.4 million set in 2023.

Word-of-mouth has always been retail’s most persuasive force. But today, it doesn’t travel by coffee chats or chance encounters alone—it moves at digital speed, across platforms where customers share, react and recommend before your morning espresso even cools.

A record 186.9 million people are planning to shop from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday this year, according to the consumer survey released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics. The figure is up more than 3 million total shoppers from the previous record of 183.4 million last year.

The holiday season is nearly here, and with the Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping weekend upon us, consumers are getting ready to celebrate the season of giving. Whether you're looking for gifting inspiration or just want to treat yourself, our Ultimate 2025 Holiday Gift Guide has something for everyone.

In today’s hyper-connected world, supply chain performance is no longer measured only in speed and cost. The true differentiator is quality and consistency – ensuring every shipment moves as planned, every handoff is seamless and every customer interaction inspires confidence.

The holiday shopping season is a make-or-break period for specialty retailers. While the giant online marketplaces compete on price and logistics, your small business has the invaluable advantage of personal connection, curation and community. Our holiday prep guide breaks down the essential steps to ensure your small business is not just ready for the rush, but poised to thrive.

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index for October found that small business optimism is taking a small step back as uncertainty eased up a bit last month.

One of the most effective ways to build lasting customer relationships is through a well-designed loyalty program. Yet, too many small retailers adopt generic approaches that fail to resonate with their audience. The key is to create a program that feels meaningful, personal and rewarding.

For independent retailers especially, email marketing offers a direct, reliable way to communicate with customers and keep the store top of mind. Unlike social media, where algorithms control visibility, your email list is an asset you own.

The National Retail Federation released its annual holiday forecast, predicting retail sales in November and December will grow between 3.7% and 4.2% over 2024.