Holiday budgets hold steady despite inflation
Shoppers are resilient, planning to spend only 1.3% less than last year’s record. Retailers expect early deal-hunting and a long shopping season into December.
NRF
Unhappy returns: Consumers expected to return almost $850 billion in merchandise in 2025
The returns rate is in line with 16.9% last year, when returns totaled $890 billion.
NRF and Georgetown McDonough launch NRF Business of Retail Initiative
The initiative will establish the first National Retail Federation Chair in Retail Studies, the NRF Summit, and two NRF MBA Fellows, as well as research grants to shape the future of retail.
NRF Foundation names The Door as RISE Up partner of the year
"The Door has been an extraordinary partner with the NRF Foundation in expanding access to retail careers to young people in New York City."
Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin to keynote NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show
The session will examine Fanatics’ shift from an online fan gear shop to a global digital sports platform.
Early shopping and discount stores drive Halloween surge
Even as most shoppers expect higher prices due to tariffs, more than 70% of consumers still plan to celebrate the holiday.
NRF honors Abercrombie & Fitch Co. CEO Fran Horowitz as The Visionary 2026
Horowitz will participate in a fireside chat on January 12 at NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show.
Imports on the decline following summer surge ahead of tariffs
“We have seen the implementation of reciprocal tariffs across the globe, with a number of key trading partners being subjected to tariffs higher than the earlier 10% tariffs,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said.
U.S. import cargo to fall 5.6% in 2025 amid tariff pressures
The drop reflects mounting trade pressures and shifting supply chain strategies by U.S. retailers, according to the latest Global Port Tracker report.
NRF applauds court ruling overturning debit card swipe fee cap as too high
"If the Durbin Amendment is to mean anything, it’s that there are specific costs that banks can recover from merchants, and costs that they categorically cannot recover from merchants."
NRF flags four priorities to keep U.S. economic growth on track
The NRF argues that progress in these areas will be critical to maintaining the nation’s economic momentum in the months ahead.
NRF warns new tariffs will push prices higher, threaten jobs
NRF Executive Vice President of Government Relations David French urged the administration to pursue “binding trade agreements that truly open markets by lowering tariffs, not raising them.”
The back-to-school shopping rush is already underway
The early start is up from 55% last year and is the highest since NRF started tracking early shopping in 2018.
CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor reveals sales slowed in June as concerns about tariffs rise
“June’s numbers indicate that prolonged uncertainty surrounding the economy, tariffs and trade policy could be pushing consumers to adopt a ‘wait-and-see’ approach with their household budgets,” NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay said.
Import cargo levels expected to rebound in July but drop again after tariff delay ends
“The tariff situation remains highly fluid and retailers are working hard to stock up for the holiday season before the various tariffs that have been announced and paused actually take effect,” NRF vice president for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said.
‘Anxiety and confusion’ from tariffs and other policies are causing uncertainty says NRF's Kleinhenz
“Economic fundamentals appear solid at this juncture, but uncertainty is pervasive,” Kleinhenz said.