Mattel reduced its outlook before the key holiday shopping period, with weakness in Barbie weighing on results. On his first earnings call, new CEO Roger Lynch brushed off a question about a catchphrase or mission statement, saying he had just arrived. The combination matters because holiday guidance is a key signal for investors and retail partners, while the leadership transition leaves questions about near-term strategy.
Lidl US is bringing back 89 gourmet European items under its Preferred Selection private-label line for a limited holiday run. The move shows the discounter leaning on seasonal, exclusive own-brand products to differentiate its assortment and drive foot traffic during the competitive holiday period, while reinforcing private label as a key lever for value-focused shoppers.
Walmart has added visual recognition and cart generation to its Sparky AI assistant ahead of the holiday shopping season. The new capabilities are intended to make shopping smoother both online and in stores. For professional readers, the update signals Walmart’s push to use AI to reduce holiday shopping friction and make its assistant more useful across channels.
Ikea is putting holiday events at the center of its seasonal push, with two locations hosting outdoor markets while every store runs holiday events this month. The furniture retailer has also widened its assortment for the period. The move reflects a broader retail play: using in-store experiences and markets to draw shoppers in during the competitive holiday window, rather than relying on product and price alone.
Festival Foods, a family-owned Wisconsin grocery chain, has launched a revamped loyalty program together with an updated app and website. Under the new setup, shoppers earn 2% back on purchases made both in stores and online. The change gives the regional grocer a single digital and rewards offering that spans its physical and e-commerce channels.
Wayfair reported its strongest quarter of growth since the pandemic in Q3, with revenue rising nearly 10% and active customers increasing 4.7%. The gains came even as consumer spending habits in the home category continued to shift. For professional readers, this signals that Wayfair is regaining momentum despite a challenging home-furnishings demand environment.
Amazon is offering a $25 Thanksgiving meal bundle, positioning it below the holiday bundles most grocers promote at under $40. The move highlights Amazon’s effort to use aggressive holiday pricing to draw attention to and grow its grocery business amid competitive seasonal promotions.