Winter Holidays

Chief marketing officers at leading U.S. retailers are forecasting a 4.2% increase in overall holiday store sales, according to the 10th annual BDO USA survey.

This year’s BDO projection is only slightly higher than the National Retail Federation’s expected 3.7% increase to $630.5 billion, slower than the 4.1% increase during last year's November-December period.

Target is setting up shop in downtown Manhattan — but it’s no ordinary store and it’s just for the holidays.

On Dec. 9, Target will officially open Target Wonderland to the public, which the retailer describes as a “first-of-its-kind retail experience” that is part magical toy store and part Pop Art exhibit.

Amazon.com is not waiting until Black Friday or even Thanksgiving Week to launch its deepest holiday discounts.

The e-commerce giant announced Monday that its Black Friday Deals store is now officially open. In addition, this year Prime members can access more than 30,000 Lightning Deals 30 minutes early, giving Prime members special, early access to deals.

eBay is targeting consumers across digital and physical channels this holiday season with a new online holiday hub and even in-person selling stations.

Through Jan. 1, 2016, eBay is running a multifaceted holiday campaign called “Wish Bigger.” A central feature is a holiday-specific shopping site, eBay.com/holidays, which will offer features such as a soon-to-launch holiday heat map that will track what eBay customers are wishing and shopping for coast-to-coast on a weekly basis.

Chicago – General Growth Properties announced the return of Adventure to Santa, A DreamWorks DreamPlace 2,000-sq.-ft. interactive cottage, to five locations in its portfolio: Fashion Show – Las Vegas; North Point Mall – Alpharetta, Georgia; The Parks Mall at Arlington – Arlington, Texas; Oakbrook Center – Oak Brook, Illinois; and Southwest Plaza – Littleton, Colorado.

Rhone, a maker of high-quality activewear, has made its first foray into the physical space with the launch of a holiday pop-up in New York City's SoHo neighborhood. And while the SoHo shop will only be open through January 15, 2016, it could be a harbinger of things to come.

Target has an aggressive new plan to lure shoppers this holiday season that includes free shipping on all orders and a new international website.

The plan is part of Target CEO Brian Cornell’s efforts to restructure the company and revamp its digital and in-store offerings. Free shipping starts Nov. 1 and ends Dec. 25.

“Now Trending” is an exclusive online series to chainstoreage.com, featuring trending topics that impact the retail real estate landscape.

Easier shopping every day is the value proposition Walmart touting this holiday season as it contends shoppers are tired of pricing games played by other retailers.

As it does every holiday season, Walmart claims it will have low prices on a broad assortment and the hottest holiday items, but it is also touting an improve store experience and a strengthened omnichannel approach.

Bloomfield Hills, Mich. -- Taubman will celebrate the launch of “The Peanuts Movie” with a family-friendly holiday experience being offered exclusively at 10 of its shopping centers across the U.S. from Nov. 6 through Dec. 24.