News Briefs

Private label sales are on the rise amid ongoing macroeconomic pressures.

New data from Circana reveals that private label sales reached $330 billion in the United States in 2025, capturing a 24% unit share and a 23% dollar share of the total market. The food and beverage sector continues to lead the growth, as private label products now hold a 24% value share within the category.

Club retailers are currently the leading channel for store brand products, accounting for nearly half of all private brand growth. Younger consumers, particularly Gen Z, are the demographic helping drive the private label momentum in the U.S. market, according to Circana.

“As we look ahead to 2026, the outlook for private label remains positive, though more balanced,” said Sally Lyons Wyatt, global executive VP and chief advisor at Circana. “While we anticipate continued unit share growth, the pace will likely be more measured as private label transitions from an acceleration phase into a normalized growth cycle.”

Circana’s private label data comes after the firm noted that U.S. retail sales revenue increased 2% year over year for the first 10 weeks of 2026. Circana says the data shows consumers are changing their behaviors instead of cutting back spending all together.

[READ MORE: Survey: Consumers trading down, consolidating trips because of fuel costs]

“As private brands mature, staying aligned with shifting consumer needs is essential, but inspiring shoppers is what will set leaders apart,” said Lauren Hazenfield, industry advisor at Circana. “Our research indicates that building authentic, deeper consumer connections, especially through wellness, sustainability, and meaningful experiences, is essential for retailers looking to create long‑lasting trust and loyalty.”

RH (formerly known as Restoration Hardware) ended fiscal 2025 with net income growth exceeding 100% but still fell short of Wall Street expectations.

The luxury home furnishings and hospitality company’s net income more than doubled in the fourth quarter of 2025, rising to $28.77 million from $13.92 million in the same quarter the prior fiscal year. Net revenues rose a more modest but still impressive 4% to $842.62 million from $812.4 million.

For the full fiscal year 2025, RH reported net income of $124.78 million, up 72% from $72.41 million. Net revenues climbed 8% to $3.44 billion from $3.18 billion. However, the retailer missed analyst projections for profits and sales in both the quarter and fiscal year.

RH saw its net revenues in both the fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2025 negatively impacted by approximately $30 million due to higher-than-expected back order and special order balances as a result of tariff related resourcing and approximately $10 million due to adverse weather at the end of the quarter. 

However, the company was still able to reduce its cost of goods sold and selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for both the quarter and year.

[READ MORE: First Look: RH opens ‘gallery’ location in California]

Looking ahead, RH expects negative revenue growth of -2 to -4% and in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 and positive revenue growth of 4% to 8% during the full fiscal year 2026. These estimates include expected negative margin impact from preopening and startup costs to support the company’s international expansion.

[READ MORE: Amazon partners with BP to offer gas discount for Prime members]

To activate this new savings benefit, Prime members can sign up for a free BP Earnify loyalty account and then visit a dedicated page on the Amazon site. Activating the offer will connect a member’s Amazon and Earnify accounts. Members can then use the free Earnify app store locator to find the nearest BP, Amoco, or participating Thorntons and AmPm locations and begin redeeming at the pump by inputting their phone number or linked payment method. 

Members who live in the same household as another Prime member can save a combined $0.40 per gallon across two fuel transactions made each Friday via the Amazon Family program. To earn the combined savings of $0.40 per gallon on Fridays, two members in an Amazon Family must have separate Earnify accounts and make one fuel transaction per person.

Personalized outreach has a positive impact on shoppers’ future behavior.

Nearly two-thirds (63%) of consumers are more likely to return to a store if a store associate follows up with them personally, according to a survey from retail CRM platform Endear conducted by Censuswide. More than 60% of respondents are likely to shop again if a retail associate reaches out personally after their visit, with over a third saying they are very likely to return.

The survey found that more than half of respondents reported making an additional purchase because of an associate's follow-up, and nearly four-in-10 said they've done this multiple times.

[READ MORE: Study: Prices, focus on health to shape consumer spending in 2026]

Six-in-10 consumers say outreach from a store associate, not automated marketing, plays an important role in their shopping decisions. Exclusive in-store offers also influence repeat visits, cited by nearly half of respondents, while early access to new products motivates almost a quarter (23%) of shoppers to head to the store, according to the survey.

"Getting a new customer to visit the stores shouldn't be the finish line," said Leigh Sevin, co-founder and CEO of Endear. "Our survey shows shoppers value human relationships and personalized communication. When sales associates follow up thoughtfully, it drives a 70% increase in order frequency and helps transform stores and sales associates into revenue drivers.”

Endear’s survey was conducted by Censuswide among a sample of 1,000 U.S. general consumers aged 24-54, nationally representative. The data was collected between Feb. 16-19.

Macy’s Inc. is joining the list of retailers leveraging the Google Gemini next-gen AI engine to aid customers.

The department store retailer has launched a conversational AI shopping chatbot known as “Ask Macy’s,” which is based on the the Google Gemini agentic AI platform. In a session at Shoptalk 2026, Macy’s chief customer and digital officer Max Magni told attendees the AI-based tool helps customers perform tasks such as product discovery and receiving personalized recommendations, as well as virtual apparel try-on.

Macy’s officially launched the solution in March 2026 but initially piloted it in December 2025. Ask Macy’s is designed for shoppers to converse and interact with as they would with a human retail associate. It is accessible via the Macy’s e-commerce site and app.

In a response to a Chain Store Age email inquiry, a Macy's spokesperson said Ask Macy's is intended to help facilitate a seamless shopping experience.

"At Macy’s, Inc., we put our customer first," the spokesperson said in the email. "Ask Macy’s is our AI-powered conversational shopping assistant, shaped by insights from thousands of colleagues to create a connected customer journey and serve as a starting point for discovery across channels, delivering the best of Macy’s at every touchpoint."  

In 2024, Macy’s deployed Zero10 virtual try-on technology at the Disney Princess Shop in its New York flagship. An AR-enabled mirror installed in the Disney Princess Shop showcases digital Disney dresses, providing customers with an immersive virtual try-on experience.

[READ MORE: CSA Q&A: Macy’s enables virtual AR try-on at in-store Disney shop]

Other retailers leveraging Google Gemini AI functionality include Gap, DoorDash, Wayfair and Walmart. 

Easter shoppers will gravitate towards low-price, discount retailers for their holiday needs.

That’s according to Numerator’s 2026 Holiday Intentions Preview, which revealed that 75% of consumers plan to celebrate Easter, with Gen X and Boomers more likely to celebrate Easter overall. Two-thirds (66%) of Easter shoppers plan to do most of their shopping in-store, with the top shopping locations being Walmart (60% of shoppers), Amazon (35%) and Dollar Tree (29%). 

More than half (55%) of Easter shoppers plan to spend between $25 and $100 on items for Easter, with the top intended purchases for the holiday being food (75%), candy (63%) and decorations (28%). 

Just eleven percent of Easter celebrators plan to purchase gifts, according to the survey, with toys/games (48%), food or beverages (non-alcoholic) (36%) and flowers/plants (30%) being the top choices. Seventeen percent of Easter celebrators plan to purchase alcoholic beverages, with wine (53%) and beer (50%) being the top choices.

[READ MORE: NRF: Swipe fees could cost Easter shoppers almost $600 million]

The most popular holiday activities include celebrating with a partner or immediate family (45%), baking special treats or cooking a special meal (42%), and coloring Easter eggs or doing an egg hunt (40%). Easter is a “low-key celebration” for many consumers, with roughly a third (32%) rating it as a one or two (on a scale of five) in terms of the effort or enthusiasm put into celebrating the holiday.

Numerator surveyed more than 5,300 consumers for its 2026 Holiday Intentions Preview.