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☆ Shoppers are ready to open their wallets this holiday season — for the right deals
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-23 | by ( Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementShoppers are willing to spend this holiday season, but many are still budget-conscious. Shoppers appear ready to spend this holiday season, but many aren't giving up the search for bargains just yet. Multiple signals suggest that some shoppers feel less pinched financially as the biggest shopping season of the year ramps up. As such, many are looking for good deals, as they have been for much of this year, while still spending on the holiday season. Friday's retail sales growth showed "a good early step forward into the holiday shopping season," National Retail Federation Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said.

Persons: Claire Tassin, Tassin, Milton, Jack Kleinhenz, Kleinhenz, Doug McMillon, John Rainey, Rick Gomez Organizations: Shoppers, Morning, Retailers, Nordstrom, Bank of America Institute, University of Michigan's, Hurricanes, Retail Federation, Census Bureau, Walmart, Target

☆ I got an in-store Apple Intelligence demo. Here are some useful features I hadn't spotted.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-23 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AdvertisementI visited an Apple store to get a rundown of all that Apple Intelligence is offering. I visited an Apple store on Thursday morning for an Apple Intelligence tutorial. Jordan Hart/BII was impressed by Math Notes when Apple first demonstrated it at WWDC, but it was unclear which phase of Apple Intelligence it would be included in. There's also the Tips appIf you can't make it to an Apple store for a rundown, there's always the Tips app with a section on Apple Intelligence. I went through it while first exploring Apple Intelligence, but the hands-on demo in a store gave me some more details.

Persons: I've, aren't, Max isn't, you've, might've, Jordan Hart, There's, there's Organizations: Apple, Apple Intelligence, Worldwide, Conference

Caiaimage/Paul Bradbury | Caiaimage | Getty ImagesWhen is a dupe an appropriate gift? Alternatively, "if it seems appropriate in the situation — if it is a more light-hearted gift — you can definitely go the dupe route," she said. 'It's a dupe for a reason'While some shoppers take pride in buying dupes, roughly 86% of shoppers have been disappointed by their purchase of a dupe, CouponCabin found. Shopping secondhand this seasonConsumers should make the same value considerations when buying secondhand, which has also become more popular, even for gifting. The majority, or 83%, of shoppers are also open to receiving secondhand gifts this holiday season, the report found.

Persons: Paul Bradbury, Caiaimage, Ellyn Briggs, Melanie Lowe, Lowe, CouponCabin, Lauren Beitelspacher, it's, Beitelspacher Organizations: Morning, Babson College, Pew Research Center, Facebook Locations: dupes, U.S

☆ Israelis unite behind their prime minister as Netanyahu faces an international arrest warrant
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-22 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —A decision by the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials was met with anger and annoyance at Jerusalem’s bustling Mahane Yehuda Market. Gil Siegal, a legal scholar at the Ono Academic College in Israel, said The Hague-based court’s decision has united Israelis. Most Israelis still support the war in Gaza, he said, seeing it as a just fight and the only means to keep their country safe. The ICC “is saying that Gallant and Netanyahu are equal to Mohammed Deif… this is something that Israelis truly cannot comprehend, truly, truly cannot comprehend,” Siegal said. “Israel’s war machine does not only destroy Gaza but also hurts Israelis – in body and in spirit,” he told CNN.

Persons: ” Sarita Katzin Sarfati, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, “ Netanyahu, Bibi, ” Sarita, Netanyahu, Netanel Yehuda, “, ”, Gil Siegal, Netanyahu –, Gallant, Mohammed Al, Masri, Mohammed Deif, Israel, ” Siegal, Yael Vias Gvirsman, Deif, Dreyfus, Alfred Dreyfus, Yair Lapid, Shurat HaDin, Behar Organizations: CNN, International, Court, Putin, Ono Academic College, ICC, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, West Bank Locations: Mahane, Gaza, Israel, Hague, Tel Aviv, The Hague, Israeli

☆ In forgotten parts of Singapore's iconic Orchard Road shopping street, a new era is taking shape
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-22 | by ( Kevin Lim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The Far East Shopping Center on Orchard Road in Singapore, on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesThe Far East Shopping Center along Singapore's Orchard Road has seen better days. Orchard Road, Singapore's main shopping street, is 2.2 km (1.3 miles) long but much of the activity takes place in the middle of the stretch as well as at selected malls linked via underground walkways to subway stations. Far East Shopping Center isn't connected to Orchard MRT unlike several of its neighbors. Two of the properties, the voco Orchard hotel and Forum The Shopping Mall, share some 180 meters of frontage along Orchard Road.

Persons: Ong Beng Seng, hasn't, CDL, Singapore's URA, URA, Richard Goh, Rasa Singapura, Sukanto Tanoto, Du Shuanghua, Jeremy Lake Organizations: Shopping, Bloomberg, Getty, Shopping Center, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Urban Redevelopment, Properties, Singapore, Developments, CDL Hospitality, Arts, CNBC, Singapore Botanic, Pacific Eagle, Food, Savills Singapore, Concorde Locations: Orchard, Singapore, Delfi Orchard, Istana Park, Canning, HPL

Stop & Shop spokesperson Caroline Medeiros said that despite the limited number of products, Stop & Shop stores and pharmacies are still open and operating as the chain works to restock its shelves and anticipate item availability. “At my personal Stop & Shop, I noticed that there wasn’t a lot of chicken, ground turkey. A user showed pictures on a Facebook from a Stop & Shop in Pittsfield, Massachusetts with rows of empty shelves and wrote “Avoid Stop and Shop… their shelves are empty.” A user on TikTok posted a video with over 40 thousand views of the empty shelves in a Stop & Shop in South Boston. Many in the comments of both posts said they had been confronted with similar scenes at other Stop & Shop locations. “Stop & Shop is well stocked with turkeys and hams for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, along with staples like potatoes, gravy, and stuffing,” she said.

Persons: ”, Ahold Delhaize, Christy Phillips, Brown, Hannaford, Caroline Medeiros, Phillips, Medeiros, Nicole Cotton, Cotton, ” Cotton, Alan Liska, ” Liska, We’re Organizations: Shop, Hannaford, NBC News, “, Companies, Colonial Pipeline Locations: Netherlands, USA, New York , Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts , Connecticut , New York, Rhode Island, Boston, Pittsfield , Massachusetts, South Boston, cryptocurrency, North America, Australia, U.S, Russia

Nugget is giving shoppers 10% off when they purchase The Nugget play couch and Chunk ottoman together as part of its Big Orange Box Set promotion. For Black Friday, you can save 10% when you purchase The Nugget and The Chunk play ottoman together in the Big Orange Box Set. View at Nugget What we like Check mark icon A check mark. Play couch comes in 20 colors and ottoman is available in 10Check mark icon A check mark. Waterproof liners sold separatelyBlack Friday Nugget Couch FAQsWhat age is the Nugget play couch for?

Persons: Conz, It's Organizations: Business, Big

☆ If you want to buy a coveted Patek Philippe timepiece, it'll take patience and a few social skills
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( Amanda Krause | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementWhere can you buy a Patek Philippe watch? Karger, a former lawyer who now runs a publication called Wrist Enthusiast, said that Patek Philippe "generally doesn't own their own stores." Representatives for Patek Philippe did not respond to a request for comment from BI on its sales processes. Reaching the level of Patek PhilippeWhen collectors, jewelers, and other fans discuss Patek Philippe watches, awe almost always enters their voices. Brad Pitt wears a Patek Philippe watch while in Venice.

Persons: Philippe, Phil Reid, Patek Philippe timepieces, Queen Victoria, it's, Birkin, Kelly, Reid, Craig Karger, Philippe timepiece, Patek Philippe, Eugene Gologursky, Karger, That's, Patek, Philippe Aquanaut, Jeremy Moeller, there's, Krager, Audemars Piguet, I've, they've, Brad Pitt, JB Lacroix, Variety, who's Organizations: Swiss, Rolex, Cartier, IWC, Nautilus, Getty Locations: London, Patek, Swiss, Miami, Lisbon, Switzerland, New York City, Venice

☆ Why the cost of Thanksgiving dinner shows the weird state of inflation
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

AdvertisementThe cost of Thanksgiving dinner has fallen for the second year in a row. It shows how shoppers are still facing high prices, even if inflation has slowed down this year. The cost of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner has fallen for the second year in a row. A Thanksgiving meal for 10 people will cost $58.08 on average this year, according to a survey of grocery store prices from the American Farm Bureau Federation. AdvertisementThis year, some retailers are selling bundles of Thanksgiving meal items while advertising them as affordable.

Persons: Zippy Duvall, Bernt Nelson, —, Donald Trump's Organizations: American Farm Bureau Federation, Walmart, Discount, Aldi Locations: Puerto Rico

☆ Here's why Dollar Tree and Dollar General stocks have plummeted
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( Ryan Baker | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Dollar stores companies were some best performing stocks in the S&P 500 during the Great Recession, said Piper Sandler managing director Peter Keith. Shares of Dollar Tree — which owns its namesake brand and Family Dollar — and Dollar General have both fallen roughly 50% this year. Lower income Americans, who comprise about 60% of Dollar General sales, are under more pressure to stretch their dollars in the face of high inflation. In its fiscal 2024 second quarter earnings call, Dollar General said those customers are also more reliant on online storefronts, which dollar stores have had less success in rolling out. Both Dollar Tree and Dollar General have also faced numerous worker safety violations over the past decade.

Persons: Piper Sandler, Peter Keith, Keith, Melissa Repko Organizations: Walmart, CNBC

☆ Williams-Sonoma says rivals who lean into discounts are training shoppers to 'wait for that promotion'
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

AdvertisementSome retailers are offering discounts and sales to win over inflation-weary shoppers. Discounts encourage shoppers to put off purchases, Laura Alber said. Many retailers are trying to lure in budget-conscious shoppers with discounts and other markdowns. Instead, Alber said that Williams-Sonoma has focused on getting shoppers to come back by offering consistent prices and quality items. Alber said on the company's earnings call that it wants to offer "approachable prices with great quality."

Persons: Laura Alber, Williams, Alber, CNBC's Jim Cramer Organizations: Williams, Sonoma, Walmart Locations: Sonoma

☆ McDonald's is bringing back cheap fast food with its McValue menu
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( Nora Redmond | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

AdvertisementMcDonald's is launching a new value menu to attract budget-conscious customers in the US. The chain has raised prices in recent years in response to inflation, putting off some customers. McDonald's is preparing to launch its new value menu in the US to win back cash-strapped shoppers. The chain has touted this new menu in recent earnings calls, saying it plans to roll it out in Q1 next year. But McDonald's is investing $100 million to regain trust, per a memo sent to employees seen by CNN.

Persons: McDonald's Organizations: Bloomberg, US Centers for Disease Control, CNN

Learn moreAs soon as November kicked off, retailers started their early deals events, and things have escalated even further as the Amazon Black Friday sale week begins today. We'll be tracking the best Amazon Black Friday deals throughout the month and gathering them here. You can also check out more of the holiday's best discounts in our roundup of the best Black Friday Walmart deals . View at AmazonCheck out our roundup of the best Black Friday TV deals here. Best Amazon Black Friday smartphoneCheck out our guide to the best Apple Black Friday deals here.

Persons: Dyson, we've, Cook Organizations: Business, Amazon, Black, Walmart, Apple, Kindle, Alexa, Kettle, Amazon Prime

Big retailers’ fortunes are diverging as the holiday shopping season gets underway. On Wednesday, Target cited “lingering softness in discretionary categories” as a top factor in its disappointing third-quarter sales, as many budget-conscious shoppers continue to focus on necessities. It’s the latest sign that discounts will be the driving force this holiday season, as they’ve been for much of this year. “We’re starting to get back to normal here.”U.S. retail sales rose 0.4% overall in October, federal data showed last month, beating analysts’ forecasts. In the meantime, the steady expansion of e-commerce looks set to continue this holiday season.

Persons: ”, Brad Thomas, they’ve, TJ Maxx, John David Rainey, “ We’re, “ They’re, they’re, ” Thomas, Matthew Shay, TransUnion, Neil Saunders, Saunders, Helene, Milton, who’ve, ” Saunders Organizations: Target, Walmart, KeyBanc, Marshalls, CNBC, “, National Retail Federation, GlobalData, NBC

☆ Walmart hits new highs and Target dives after earnings as rivals diverge even more
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Customer traffic gains were similar at the two stores, yet Walmart's sales trends looked much better than Target's. Walmart's traffic growth edged out its rival's, with a gain of 3.1% at Walmart U.S. versus 2.4% at Target. Walmart's e-commerce sales in the U.S. rose 22%, a bigger increase than the nearly 11% at Target. About 60% of Target's sales come from discretionary items, such as home goods and clothing. On a call with investors on Wednesday, Cornell pointed to "green shoots" in the business, even as sales results disappointed.

Persons: Brian Cornell, Walmart's, Michael Baker, Davidson, Baker, Paul Lejuez, Kate McShane, Goldman Sachs, Davidson's Baker, Cornell, Michael Lasser, We'll Organizations: Walmart, Walmart U.S, Target, D.A, Amazon, Costco, Citi Research, Deutsche Bank, HSBC Global Research, Citi, Cornell, UBS Locations: U.S, Minneapolis, America

☆ Target CEO says shoppers are stretched and waiting until 'the last moment of need' to buy items
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Now, they're waiting "until the last moment of need, focusing on deals, and then stocking up," CEO Brian Cornell said. Chief Commercial Officer Rick Gomez provided additional detail about how this new consumer pattern has played out for the company. Advertisement"Our Target Circle week this quarter was one of our biggest yet," he said. Unseasonably warm temperatures also meant that shoppers delayed their purchases of cold-weather apparel until they actually needed it, Gomez said. "Would you be willing to trade some of the upside in those areas for even more consistency from quarter to quarter?"

Persons: Brian Cornell, Rick Gomez, Gomez, Neil Saunders, —, Fitch, David Silverman, Michael Lasser, Cornell Organizations: Target, Walmart, Data, UBS Locations: New York

☆ Target shares plunge 21% after discounter cuts forecast, posts biggest earnings miss in two years
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The big-box retailer reversed course and cut its full-year profit guidance, just three months after hiking that forecast. That's lower than the $9 to $9.70 per share range that it shared in August and below the $9.55 a share expected by analysts, according to StreetAccount. That metric, which is also known as same-store sales, includes sales on its website and stores open at least 13 months. The company fell short of Wall Street's earnings per share estimate by 20%, its biggest miss in two years. Target eked out a comparable sales gain of 0.3%, as shoppers spent more on its website but less at its stores.

Persons: Brian Cornell, Michael Fiddelke, Rick Gomez Organizations: LSEG, Shoppers, Target Locations: Selinsgrove . Target

☆ Cheaper turkeys help bring down Thanksgiving dinner costs this year
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Vanessa Yurkevich | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Thanksgiving dinner will cost less this year than last but will still be 19% higher than before the pandemic, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual Thanksgiving survey out Wednesday. The average cost of this year’s dinner for 10 people is $58.08, or about $5.80 per person, the survey found. The center piece of the Thanksgiving meal, the turkey, helped bring down the overall cost. But items like cubed stuffing and dinner rolls both increased by 8% because of higher labor costs, the AFBF said. The cost of the Thanksgiving dinner items varies based on location, the survey found.

Persons: ”, Bernt Nelson, “, Zippy Duvall, Joe Biden, Donald Trump Organizations: CNN, American Farm Bureau, American Farm Bureau Federation, Cranberries, Farm Bureau Locations: Puerto Rico, Midwest

☆ Williams-Sonoma CEO explains pricing strategy after earnings beat
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Julie Coleman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

"When we price the goods the first time, we want you to say, 'wow, that's a great price, and how gorgeous is that product?'" Williams-Sonoma beat earnings and raised its outlook, sending shares to a new all-time high to finish up 27.54% by close. Alber critiqued the short-term promotion and discount pricing strategy sometimes used by other retailers, saying this approach isn't successful in the long term, as customers become "trained to wait for that promotion." She suggested customers trust the "pricing integrity" of Williams-Sonoma when it initially prices items. Williams-Sonoma is known as a high-end brand, but Alber claimed the company's prices are attainable.

Persons: Laura Alber, CNBC's Jim Cramer, Williams, Alber, they're Organizations: Williams, Sonoma Locations: Sonoma

☆ Target sounds the alarm bell on holiday shopping
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Target is expecting a surprisingly weak holiday shopping season, a warning sign for the retail industry. The holiday shopping season is pivotal for retailers. While Target can survive a weak holiday season, many smaller companies depend on strong sales during the holidays. But Target has also slumped because of its merchandise mix and higher prices compared to rivals like Walmart. Walmart raised its financial outlook, a signal it expects a strong holiday shopping season.

Organizations: New, New York CNN, Target, Walmart, Costco Locations: New York

The best Madewell Black Friday dealsMadewell The Sling Crossbody Bag $82.60 $118.00 Save 30% This spacious leather sling is comfortable and convenient. View at Madewell What we like Check mark icon A check mark. High-quality leatherCheck mark icon A check mark. Can be worn day to nightCheck mark icon A check mark. View at MadewellFAQs about the Madewell Black Friday EventIs Black Friday a good time to shop at Madewell?

Persons: onTaylor Swift, Madewell, French terry that’s, You'll, hemming Organizations: Business, Madewell Locations: French

☆ We're changing our price target on TJX despite the retailer's light guidance
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

We're raising our TJX price target to $135 per share from $130. The combined T.J. Maxx and Marshalls business unit was impacted by temporary closures resulting from hurricanes Helene and Milton. Guidance TJX sees fiscal 2025 fourth quarter EPS in the range of $1.12 to $1.14, which is below the $1.17 expected. Outside of North America, T.J. Maxx is known as T.K. North Miami Beach, Florida, T.J. Maxx & HomeGoods discount department store, furniture display and welcome sign.

Persons: HomeGoods, Ernie Herrman, Helene, Milton, TJX, Herrman, John Klinger, —, Klinger, Maxx, Jim Cramer's, Jim Cramer, Jim, Jeff Greenberg Organizations: TJX Companies, TJX, Marshalls, Ross Stores, Burlington Stores, CNBC, North, Maxx, Getty Locations: Maxx, HomeGoods, Canada, United States, Spain, North America, North Miami Beach , Florida

☆ TJ Maxx parent says holiday shopping is off to a 'strong start,' but its guidance tells another story
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Gabrielle Fonrouge | In Gabrielle-Fonrouge | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

TJX Companies touted a "strong start" to the holiday shopping season on Wednesday, but its shares slid after the fast-growing retailer offered guidance that appeared to underwhelm Wall Street. "The fourth quarter is off to a strong start, and we are excited about our opportunities for the holiday selling season. For its holiday quarter, TJX is expecting comparable sales to grow between 2% and 3%, largely in line with the 3% uptick that StreetAccount analysts had expected. TJX is standing by its comparable sales guidance of 3% growth for the full year, just shy of the 3.2% growth that StreetAccount analysts had expected. It raised its pretax profit margin outlook from 11.2% to 11.3%, which matches StreetAccount's expectations, along with its earnings per share guidance.

Persons: TJX, Ernie Herrman, It's, LSEG, Maxx, TJ Maxx Organizations: TJX Companies, LSEG, Company, It's, HomeGoods, TJX, Brands, United Arab, Burlington, Ross, Bank of America Locations: HomeGoods, Sierra, TJX Canada, Europe, Australia, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Spain

The San Francisco-based couple recently partook in a TikTok trend that features shoppers showing off the quirky items found at their local HomeGoods stores. “You feel the need to walk away with it because it’s gone the next day,” Gavello, 27, said about the appeal of HomeGoods products. But HomeGoods really does dictate for you, it tells you what to buy.”Wood said that he used to go to HomeGoods with his mom and pull out the weirdest items in the store to inspect. The official HomeGoods TikTok account commented on the couple’s video saying, “sometimes you don’t know what you need until you go to HomeGoods.”A representative for HomeGoods did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. Gordon said the TikTok trend is fun because it shows the wide range of decorations that exist across HomeGoods stores.

Persons: Aubrey Gavello, Alex Wood, it’s, ” Gavello, Wood, ” Wood, “, HomeGoods, ”, Tatyiana Gordon, Gordon, “ It’s Organizations: TJX Companies, Sierra Trading, Marshalls, CNBC Locations: HomeGoods, San Francisco, Maxx, Syracuse , New York

“We’re expecting this holiday period to be very consistent with that,” he said. Retailers, including Walmart, are contending with a mixed bag of factors this holiday season. The holiday season is also shorter this year and parts of the U.S. have had unseasonably warm weather, two dynamics that could hurt retailers. That would be lower than the 3.9% year-over-year jump from the 2022 to 2023 holiday season, when spending totaled $955.6 billion. Rainey said the holiday period is “off to a pretty good start.”He said items like TVs, Apple AirPods, Beats headphones and even tires have been selling.

Persons: John David Rainey, “ We’re, ”, “ They’re, Rainey, Walmart’s, Donald Trump’s, it’s, We’ve Organizations: Walmart, CNBC, LSEG, New York Stock Exchange, Sam’s, Walmart U.S, U.S, National Retail Federation, Apple Locations: U.S, China

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