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☆ E-commerce stocks rally after Black Friday shoppers spend record online
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Annie Palmer | In Annierpalmer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Shoppers turned out in full force on Thanksgiving and over the Black Friday weekend, largely shunning physical stores for the comfort of clicking "buy online" from their couches. Black Friday online spending reached a record $9.8 billion in the U.S., up 7.5% from a year earlier, according to Adobe Analytics. Online sales on Cyber Weekend, the days between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, surged 7.7% to $10.3 billion. Cyber Monday sales are expected to reach up to $12.4 billion, making it the biggest U.S. online shopping day of the year, according to Adobe. A plastic rice washing bowl, listed as one of the top-selling Cyber Week items, is discounted 68% to $1.89 with free shipping.

Persons: Shoppers, Wayfair, Afterpay, Klarna, Sebastian Siemiatkowski, Siemiatkowski Organizations: Adobe Analytics, Black, Adobe, National Retail Federation, CNBC PRO Locations: U.S

☆ Amazon's leading delivery service is a huge win for the company's growing retail business
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Paulina Likos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

It gives us another reason to be confident in the firm's retail business as the holiday online shopping season gets off to a strong start this year. Postal Service remains the largest parcel service by volume, handling packages for its customers as well as all three delivery companies. "People shop every day on Amazon," Jim added. The company's speedy, same-day delivery service is a huge value proposition of the Prime membership — made possible, in part, by Amazon's push to become the U.S. package delivery company in the U.S. The Amazon Prime logo is displayed on the side of an Amazon delivery truck in Richmond, California, June 21, 2023.

Persons: Andy Jassy, Jim Cramer, they've, Jim, Goldman Sachs, Goldman, we've, —, Amazon, Jim Cramer's, Justin Sullivan Organizations: Wall, Amazon, United Parcel Service, Journal, FedEx, U.S . Postal Service, Insider Intelligence, Adobe, Mastercard, National Retail Federation, CNBC Locations: U.S, Richmond , California

☆ TJ Maxx and other discount retailers could be the big winners in an otherwise bleak holiday shopping season
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Jennifer Ortakales Dawkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Many retailers are bracing for a bleak holiday shopping season. AdvertisementShoppers are finally feeling the weight of inflation and many retailers are bracing for a bleak holiday season . The trade association said this year's outlook has returned to pre-pandemic levels, with an average annual holiday increase of 3.6% from 2010 to 2019. AdvertisementAnalysts say the positive same-store sales from quarter to quarter suggest that the off-price retailers are gaining market share. TJX stores, which include TJ Maxx and Marshalls, have become increasingly valuable for brands to supply to.

Persons: —, Rebecca Duval, Nordstrom, Ross, Bernstein, Aneesha Sherman, TJ, Simeon Siegel Organizations: Service, National Retail Federation, Fashion, Department, Nordstrom, TJX Companies, Burlington, Analysts, Yahoo Finance, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, BMO Capital Markets Locations: Ross, Burlington

[1/6] People load up their newly purchased items from Best Buy on Black Friday in Wheaton-Glenmont, Maryland, U.S., November 24, 2023. A record 130.7 million people are expected to shop in stores and online in the U.S. on Black Friday this year, the National Retail Federation (NRF) estimates. But at 6 a.m. on Friday at a Walmart in New Milford, Connecticut, the parking lot was only half full. "It's a lot quieter this year, a lot quieter," said shopper Theresa Forsberg, who visits the same five stores with her family at dawn every Black Friday. And the rise of online shopping has reduced the importance of Black Friday as a single-day event.

Persons: Leah Millis, Cowen, David Klink, Theresa Forsberg, Michael Brown, Kearney, Jeff Gennette, Jimmy Lee, there's, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, Oscar de, Carlos Araejo, Ruiz, It’s, ”, Paul Aheren, Puma, Siddharth Cavale, Helen Reid, Arriana McLymore, Katherine Masters, Andrew Hay, Bianca Flowers, Danielle Broadway, James Davey, Deborah Sophia, Miral Fahmy, Nick Zieminski, Frances Kerry Organizations: REUTERS, Shoppers, Huntington Private Bank, Walmart, Target, National Retail Federation, Garden, Insider Intelligence, Macy's, Adobe Analytics, Wealth Consulting, Amazon, Adobe, Nordstrom, “, Saks, Puma, Israel Football Association, IFA, Thomson Locations: Wheaton, Glenmont , Maryland, U.S, RALEIGH, N.C, New Milford , Connecticut, Paramus , New Jersey, Indianapolis, Israel, Palestine, United States, Dallas, Raleigh, Crabtree, Boston

While the S&P 500 index (.SPX) ended little changed, the Amplify Online Retail ETF climbed 0.4% and the broader SPDR S&P Retail ETF gained about 0.7%. The SPDR S&P Retail ETF, which has net assets of $396.6 million, recorded weekly outflows of $115.6 in the week ended on Wednesday, according to data from Lipper. Still, the bulk of 2023 returns for investors in U.S. retail ETFs have come in recent weeks. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH.O) has generated half of its 12.8% year-to-date gains in the last two months. But Thomas Hayes, chair at Great Hill Capital LLC in New York, anticipates better-than-expected gains in retail stocks this holiday season.

Persons: Vincent Alban Acquire, Michael Ashley Schulman, Schulman, Thomas Hayes, Suzanne McGee, Lananh Nguyen, Josie Kao Organizations: Woodbury, REUTERS, Exchange, P Retail, Retailers, National Retail Federation, Walmart, United Auto Workers, Hollywood SAG, Running, Retail, Great, Capital, Thomson Locations: Central Valley , New York, U.S, New York

Brokerage TD Cowen lowered its U.S. holiday spending estimate to 2% to 3% growth, from 4% to 5%, as it forecast flat Black Friday traffic. With many consumers squeezed by persistent inflation and high interest rates, U.S. holiday spending is expected to rise at the slowest pace in five years. A record 130.7 million people are expected to shop in stores and online in the U.S. on Black Friday this year, the National Retail Federation (NRF) estimates. In France, Italy, and Spain, most shoppers planned to buy clothing on Black Friday, with electronic goods coming second, according to a PwC survey. Thanksgiving Day discounts online peaked at about 28% for toys, while electronics had discounts as steep as 27%, Adobe said.

Persons: Shannon Stapleton, Cowen, Theresa Forsberg, “ It’s, ”, Jill Lizzo, she’s, “, I’m, Lizzo, PwC, hasn’t, Naomi Ojomo, Jeff Gennette, Barbie, John Roberts, Apple AirPods, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, Oscar de, Katherine Masters, Arriana McLymore, Helen Reid, Mimosa Spencer, Corina Pons, James Davey, Siddharth Cavale, Arriana, Deboarh Sophia, David Gaffen, Miral Fahmy, Nick Zieminski, Frances Kerry Organizations: Black, REUTERS, Shoppers, National Retail Federation, Insider Intelligence, Barclays, Macy's, Adobe Analytics, Adobe, Walmart, Argos, PlayStation, Apple, Thomson Locations: Westbury , New York, U.S, RALEIGH, N.C, New Milford , Connecticut, . U.S, Harlem, Manhattan, France, Italy, Spain, Zara, Canary Wharf, London, British, Paris, Madrid, New York, Raleigh , North Carolina, Bengaluru

WILL SHOPPERS FIND BLACK FRIDAY DEALS THIS YEAR? HOW MUCH ARE SHOPPERS EXPECTED TO SPEND? Spending online during Black Friday is expected to rise 5.7% to roughly $9.6 billion, according to Adobe. WHAT ARE RETAILERS DOING TO ATTRACT HOLIDAY SHOPPERS? Macy's CEO Jeff Gennette on Thursday said the competitive landscape has shifted to Black Friday deals prior to Black Friday.

Persons: Marcus Collins, Collins, Jane Hali, Max, Lancome mascaras, Bobbi Brown concealers, Dana Telsey, Leonardo Fernandez Viloria, David Bujnicki, Kimco, Jeff Gennette, Mattel, Steve Totzke, Juveria Tabassum, Savyata Mishra, Richa Naidu, Helen Reid, Herbert Lash, Josie Kao Organizations: Retailers, Department, Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, Dollar, Walmart, Associates, Nordstrom, Adobe Analytics, Electronics, Mastercard, National Retail Federation, Telsey Advisory, Sensormatic Solutions, U.S, Black, REUTERS, Adobe, Labor, Kimco Realty Corp, Consumers, Deloitte, Reuters, Thomson Locations: U.S, Europe, Philadelphia, China, United States, Caracas, Venezuela, Panama, Israel, Sixth, Washington, Germany, India, Spain, United Kingdom, Bengaluru, London

NEW YORK (AP) — Stores stepped up discounts and other enticements on Black Friday to entice shoppers holding out for the best deals. Many retailers ordered fewer goods for this holiday season and pushed holiday sales earlier in October than last year to help shoppers spread out their spending. Political Cartoons View All 1265 ImagesBut this year, retailers said more shoppers are focusing on deals and waiting until the last minute. Salesforce said online sales rose 1% to about $7.5 billion year-over-year on Thanksgiving, as retailers offered better deals. The group has forecast that U.S. holiday sales will rise 3% to 4% for November through December, compared with a 5.4% growth of a year ago.

Persons: Yvonne Carey, Michael Kors, Cary, ” Carey, Jeff Gennette, Macy's, Gennette, Kohl’s, Brian Cornell, Salesforce, Sensormatic, Marshal Cohen, “, ” Cohen, ‘, Alexandra Olson, Anne Organizations: Herald, Macy’s Herald, Associated Press, Disney Princess, Target, New Jersey State Police Bomb Unit, Global, National Retail Federation, Adobe Analytics, Adobe, Solutions Locations: Manhattan, Macy’s, New Jersey, New York City, U.S, New York

☆ With Black Friday deals and flashy displays, retailers try to convince reluctant shoppers to spend
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

And a steady drip of Black Friday deals, started early in November at many retailers, has also delayed the rush, as some shoppers bet that the best deals are still coming. Holiday shoppers spent 7% less in dollars and 6% less in units from mid-October to mid-November compared with the year-ago period, Circana found. Mario Tama | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesBlack Friday state of mindAmong the biggest themes this holiday season: shoppers are hungry for deals and willing to wait for them. "We're going to have a sustained drumbeat of great offers for the entire holiday season, starting this week," he said on a call with CNBC. Some retailers, such as Best Buy, are trying to rush shoppers to hit the "buy" button by dangling short-term sales.

Persons: Melissa Repko, Mario, Luigi, Nintendo's, Lowe's, Marshal Cohen, Circana, " Cohen, You've, you've, Barbie, Mario Tama, John David Rainey, Rainey, Steve Madden, Edward Rosenfeld, Marvin Ellison, Ellison, Corie Barry, Macy's Organizations: CNBC, National Retail Federation, Walmart, Nordstrom, Target, Dick's Sporting, Amazon's, NPD, Consumers, Getty, nab, Footwear, Shoppers, Disney Locations: New York City, Manhattan, Dallas, Los Angeles, Burbank , California

☆ Retailers hope to draw picky Black Friday shoppers to stores
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Katherine Masters | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Originally known for crowds lining up at big-box stores in the U.S., Black Friday has moved online and gone global. In France, Italy, and Spain, most shoppers planned to buy clothing on Black Friday, with electronic goods coming second, according to a PwC survey. On average, shoppers in France expected to spend 295 euros ($322) on Black Friday, the survey found. Most U.S. stores were closed on Thanksgiving but opened to shoppers at 5 a.m. or 6 a.m. on Friday. In post-earnings calls this week, retailers from Kohl's (KSS.N) to Nordstrom (JWN.N) told investors they had invested in jackets, cashmere sweaters and Ugg boots to lure Christmas shoppers after an unseasonably warm October.

Persons: Shannon Stapleton, Jessica Ramirez, Jane Hali, Jeff Gennette, Mari Shor, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, Oscar de, ” Nordstrom, Pete Nordstrom, Katie Wyle, Katherine Masters, Mimosa Spencer, Helen Reid, James Davey, Josie Kao, Miral Fahmy, Frances Kerry Organizations: Black, REUTERS, Retailers, Associates, National Retail Federation, Insider Intelligence, Barclays, Macy's, The New York Police, Nordstrom, Walmart, Columbia Threadneedle Investments, Westfield, Thomson Locations: Westbury , New York, U.S, Europe, France, Italy, Spain, Amazon, Israel, New York City, Kohl's, Mall, Britain, Westfield, Paris, London

☆ How Best Buy is beating shoplifting
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

But Best Buy says it has shoplifting under control. Best Buy has some inherent advantages over, say, CVS because heavy flat-screen TVs are harder to steal than razor blades. Not too many things in criminology are better understood than that.”Higher levels of staffing in stores have made a difference in Best Buy’s success against shoplifting, CEO Barry said. Best Buy has security staff at the front of stores to monitor customers entering and exiting and does not have many self-checkout machines. We don’t really have self-checkout.”Lowe’s has also attributed its low theft rates to higher staffing levels in stores.

Persons: Corie Barry, “, ” Barry, John Eck, ” Eck, you’re, Barry, Lowe’s, ”, Marvin Ellison Organizations: New, New York CNN, National Retail Federation, Retailers, Staff, University of Cincinatti Locations: New York

☆ The tug-of-war is on between deal-hungry shoppers and retailers wary of giving them throw-away prices on Black Friday
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

So are the start-of-the-season deals enticing enough for shoppers or are they holding out in a cat-and-mouse game with retailers? Michael Brown, retail industry leader and partner with management consulting firm Kearney, said the much earlier-than-usual jumpstart to holiday sales this year could be to blame. Shoppers will be holding out for better deals,” he said. Kena Betancur/Getty ImagesTotal holiday sales this year are expected to come in softer compared to last year. He said there were plenty of 25% off Black Friday deals mall-wide and some deeper 40% off promotions for early-bird shoppers.

Persons: New York CNN —, Michael Brown, Kearney, ”, Brown, Emily Elconin, Marshal Cohen, ” Cohen, Barbie, Willing, they’ve, Kena Betancur, Brian Schroeder, Kendra Scott, “, Aeropostale, Aritzia, Shannon Stapleton, Marc Rosen, Rosen, ” Rosen, Nathaniel Meyersohn Organizations: New, New York CNN, “, Shoppers, Black, National Retail Federation, Adobe Analytics, Disney Little, Marvel, Macy's, Brookfield Properties, Brookfield Asset Management, Nike, Apple, Simon Property Group, JCPenney Locations: New York, Oaks, Michigan, New York , New York, La Cantera, San Antonio , Texas, Brookfield, Roosevelt, Garden City , New York, Penney

☆ Thanksgiving Day online sales jump as discounts motivate holiday shoppers
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Online spending on Thanksgiving Day jumped 5.5% compared to a year ago, according to Adobe Analytics, a reflection of holiday shoppers who are buying more of their gifts online and responding to discounts. It does not cover in-store purchases, where the majority of U.S. holiday purchases still take place. And shoppers responded: Online purchases of toys shot up 182% compared to average daily sales in October. Jewelry sales rose 126%, apparel rose 124% and personal care products rose 67%. Mobile shopping played a big role in Thanksgiving sales, with nearly 60% of sales coming through a mobile device — an all-time record for Thanksgiving, Adobe said.

Persons: That's, it's, Mario, Adobe Organizations: Adobe Analytics, National, Target, Disney, Adobe, Marvel, Mobile Locations: U.S

Brokerage TD Cowen lowered its U.S. holiday spending estimate to 2% to 3% growth, from 4% to 5%, as it forecast flat Black Friday traffic. With many consumers squeezed by persistent inflation and high interest rates, U.S. holiday spending is expected to rise at the slowest pace in five years. But at 6 a.m. on Friday at a Walmart in New Milford, Connecticut, the parking lot was only half full. "It's a lot quieter this year, a lot quieter," said shopper Theresa Forsberg, who visits the same five stores with her family at dawn every Black Friday. The rise of online shopping has reduced the importance of Black Friday as a single-day event.

Persons: Cowen, David Klink, ”, Barbara Kahn, Theresa Forsberg, Michael Brown, Kearney, Jimmy Lee, Leah Millis, there's, Jeff Gennette, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, Oscar de, Carlos Araejo, Ruiz, It’s, Paul Aheren, Puma, Siddharth Cavale, Helen Reid, Arriana McLymore, Katherine Masters, Andrew Hay, Bianca Flowers, Danielle Broadway, James Davey, Deborah Sophia, Miral Fahmy, Nick Zieminski, Frances Kerry, Leslie Adler Organizations: Shoppers, Huntington Private Bank, Walmart, Target, Ross Stores, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, “, National Retail Federation, Garden, Insider Intelligence, Adobe Analytics, Adobe, Wealth Consulting, Amazon, REUTERS, Nordstrom, Saks, Protesters, Puma, Israel Football Association, Thomson Locations: RALEIGH, N.C, U.S, New Milford , Connecticut, Paramus , New Jersey, Wheaton, Glenmont , Maryland, Indianapolis, Israel, Palestine, United States, Dallas, Raleigh, Crabtree, Boston

NEW YORK (AP) — Retailers are kicking off the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season on Friday with a bevy of discounts and other enticements. The group has forecast that U.S. holiday sales will rise 3% to 4% for November through December, compared with a 5.4% growth of a year ago. For the holiday 2021 season, sales for the two-month period surged 12.7%. Many retailers had already ordered fewer goods for this holiday season and have pushed holiday sales earlier in October than last year to help shoppers spread out their spending. But retailers said that many shoppers will be focusing more on deals and will likely wait until the last minute.

Persons: Brian Cornell, There’s, ”, Marc Metrick, Kohl's, Barbara Lindquist, That's, Lindquist, she’ll, “, Sensormatic, Marshal Cohen, ” Cohen, ‘, Anne Organizations: —, Shoppers, Walmart, Saks Fifth, Saks, National Retail Federation, Adobe Analytics, Adobe, Solutions Locations: Hawthorne Woods , Illinois, Panama, U.S

The extension of Black Friday sales and growing strength of other shopping events (hello Cyber Monday ) is also changing what holiday spending looks like today. The term “Black Friday” is several generations old, but it wasn't always associated with the holiday retail frenzy that we know today. In 2003, e-commerce accounted for just 1.7% of total retail sales in the fourth quarter, per the U.S. Commerce Department. BLACK FRIDAY 'MONTH’ AND THE RISE OF CYBER MONDAYIt's no secret that Black Friday sales don't last 24 hours anymore. Offering early deals for holiday sales helps extend that window.

Persons: wasn't, Jie Zhang, Harvey Sanders, University of Maryland’s Robert H, Jay Zagorsky, Zagorsky, I’m, Zhang, it’s, ” Organizations: National Retail Federation, Army, Navy, Associated Press, Retail Management, University of Maryland’s, Smith School of Business, COVID, Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, U.S . Commerce Department, Commerce Department, Small, National Retail, Adobe Analytics Locations: Philadelphia, York

☆ Despite strong economy, Americans are spending less: 'I feel like I'm always holding my breath'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Still, consumers don't feel like we're in a booming economy. "I feel like I'm always holding my breath a little bit waiting to see what's going to happen," Olivia Thomas, an education professional in New Jersey, tells CNBC Make It. As people like Thomas take a look at their personal situations and the broader economy, some are making adjustments. Consumer spending has begun to taper off, according to data from the new CNBC and National Retail Federation retail monitor. That, along with a number of increasingly precarious geopolitical situations and continued tension within domestic politics, has consumers wary of the economy.

Persons: Olivia Thomas, Thomas, Janet Yellen, CNBC's, Peter Hughes, haven't, Hughes Organizations: CNBC, National Retail Federation, Evolve Locations: New Jersey, Plenty, Federal, New York, California

☆ Best Buy flags weakening consumer demand heading into holiday shopping season
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Savyata Mishra | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Jim Young/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 21 (Reuters) - Top U.S. electronics retailer Best Buy (BBY.N) on Tuesday forecast a bigger decline in annual comparable sales and pointed to "difficult to predict" consumer demand, days ahead of Black Friday that signals the start of the holiday shopping season. "In the more recent macro environment, consumer demand has been even more uneven and difficult to predict," CEO Corie Barry said in a statement. Retailers from Lowe's (LOW.N) to Walmart (WMT.N) have warned of cautious consumer spending as the holiday shopping season gets underway. U.S. holiday sales this year are expected to grow at a slower pace, according to data from the National Retail Federation. Best Buy's third-quarter revenue fell 8.2% to $9 billion in the U.S. as demand fell again across appliances, home theater, computing and mobile phones, signaling that higher discounts failed to entice shoppers.

Persons: Jim Young, Corie Barry, Steven Zaccone, Savyata Mishra, Sriraj Organizations: REUTERS, Lowe's, Walmart, National Retail Federation, Citi, Thomson Locations: Niles , Illinois, Chicago, U.S, comparables, Bengaluru

"In the more recent macro environment, consumer demand has been even more uneven and difficult to predict," Best Buy CEO Corie Barry said. U.S. holiday sales are expected to rise at its slowest pace in five years, according to data from the National Retail Federation, as Americans are likely to pull back on holiday shopping. REUTERS/Bing Guan/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLast week, industry bellwether Walmart (WMT.N) warned of cautious consumer spending as the holiday shopping season gets underway. Retail executives said higher interest rates, inflation and a resumption in student loan repayments will keep consumer wallets under pressure. Still, some investors expect holiday sales starting Black Friday to hold "some positive surprises."

Persons: Corie Barry, Bing Guan, Fitch, David Silverman, Marvin Ellison, Thomas Hayes, Rachel Wolff, Ananya Mariam Rajesh, Savyata Mishra, Granth Vanaik, Juby Babu, Shounak Dasgupta Organizations: National Retail Federation, REUTERS, Walmart, Retail, Apparel, Abercrombie, Fitch, American Eagle Outfitters, Insider Intelligence, Thomson Locations: United States, SoHo, New York City, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ Black Friday deals aren’t as good as you think. Here’s how to snag even lower prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

By most accounts, Black Friday and Cyber Monday promise some of the lowest prices of the season. This year, holiday spending during the Thanksgiving week may hit a record as consumers try to maximize the weekend's sales, a separate Deloitte Black Friday-Cyber Monday survey found. However, these are not necessarily the best deals of the year, according to Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst at DealNews.com. A separate analysis of previous Black Friday sales found that 98% of the deals were the same price or cheaper at other points during the year. Stores try to tempt you with discounts, but "I don't know that Black Friday has the same level of value that it did years ago," Ramhold said.

Persons: Julie Ramhold, Ramhold Organizations: National, Deloitte, DealNews.com, Finance

☆ Holiday shopping: Months-long sale season may dilute the impact of Black Friday
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The day after Thanksgiving historically has marked the start of the holiday shopping rush. This matters because the November-December gift-buying months combined can account for about 20%, or a sizable chunk, of retailers’ sales for the full year. Retailers this year trotted out early Black Friday-like deals weeks ahead of the annual day-after-Thanksgiving shopping bonanza. “It is a lengthier shopping season because retailers were rolling out early Black Friday deals as early as October. Walmart’s first round of early Black Friday deals included a 50-inch TV house brand for $148.

Persons: New York CNN —, “, ”, Marshal Cohen, Cohen, Yuki Iwamura, Adam Davis, Wells, they’ll, Cohen doesn’t, doorbusters, Julie Ramhold, ” Ramhold, Charlie Riedel, Walmart’s, “ I’m, Chromebooks Organizations: New, New York CNN, National Retail Federation, Getty, Retailers, “, ”, Shoppers, Apple, Valentine’s Locations: New York, AFP, Wells Fargo

The federal government is delaying a new rule that could make it easier for millions of workers to unionize after business groups challenged it in court. The National Labor Relations Board said Thursday that the rule — which was scheduled to go into effect in December — will now be effective Feb. 26. The rule sets new standards for determining when two companies should be considered “joint employers" in labor negotiations. But the new rule would expand that definition, saying companies may be considered joint employers if they have the ability to control — directly or indirectly — at least one condition of employment. But the NLRB says the current rule makes it too easy for companies to avoid their legal responsibility to bargain with workers.

Persons: McDonald's isn't, National Retail Federation —, Sen, Bill Cassidy, Cassidy, Democratic Sen, Joe Manchin, Joe Biden Organizations: National Labor Relations Board, Republican, U.S . Chamber of Commerce, American, Lodging Association, International Franchise Association, National Retail Federation, NLRB, U.S, Louisiana Republican, Health, Education, Labor, Pensions, Federal, Democratic, House Locations: —, Texas, Louisiana, West Virginia

☆ Why America is panicking about shoplifting
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Ally Hill | Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

New York CNN —“Shoplifting in Great Department Stores.” “The Shoplifting Profession.” “No Mercy to Shoplifters.”These headlines could be from articles today. While shoplifting has seemingly never been a bigger problem than it is now, shoplifting has long captured the public’s attention. Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty ImagesAlthough shoplifting increased in some cities during the first half of the year compared to pre-pandemic levels, there is no clear national rise in shoplifting, according to a new analysis by the Council on Criminal Justice, a nonpartisan criminal justice policy organization. Middle-class women shoplifting in Victorian Britain during the 1800s were the focus of an early panic over shoplifting. Fears spread over middle-class women shoplifting during the early years of department stores.

Persons: New York CNN —, ”, ” James Walsh, Alex Vitale, Donald Trump, Angela Weiss, ” Vitale, Michael Flamm, San Francisco —, Adam Gelb, Tammy Whitlock, kleptomania, “ Said, Abbie Hoffman’s, ” Flamm, Abbie Hoffman, John Shearer, Barry Goldwater, Richard Nixon, JC Penney, ” David Johnston, Jeffrey Greenberg, we’d, Jeffrey Butts, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Great Department, University of Ontario Institute, Technology’s, CNN, Brooklyn College, ”, Getty, Criminal, Ohio Wesleyan University, “, San, New York Times, University of Kentucky, Consumer Culture, Times, Ohio Wesleyan, National Retail Federation, Retailers, Universal, Commerce, Chamber of Commerce, Department of Justice, “ Research, Research, John Jay College of Criminal Locations: New York, Shoplifters, Britain, America, New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas, Victorian Britain, England, Ohio, Vietnam

☆ You may be at risk for fraud this holiday season, particularly if you shop at the last minute. Here's why
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

But as consumers open their wallets, they may also be making themselves vulnerable to potential fraud, particularly when shopping at the last minute. "Procrastination is, quite frankly, one of the keys to success for crooks," said Paul Fabara, chief risk officer at Visa . But that may be just the first part of a "double whammy," according to Fabara. AI fraud risks pose a growing threatThis season, new risks tied to artificial intelligence should have consumers on high alert, Fabara said. Those are: Digital skimming, where credit or payment card information is stolen from online stores.

Persons: Mark Makela, Paul Fabara, Fabara, you've Organizations: Getty, National Retail Federation, Visa, Finance, UBS

☆ It's time for retailers to stop blaming theft for so many of their problems
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Shrink includes customer theft, but it also accounts lost or destroyed inventory and employee theft, to name a couple of other examples. But companies such as Target and Walgreens have cumulatively reported billions of dollars in losses from theft by citing shrink numbers. Often, company executives use "shrink" and "theft" interchangeably, while providing no breakdown of how much of their shrink is attributable to theft. Retailers could be pointing to theft to prompt government action or distract from operational issuesIf so many elements contribute to shrink, then why are some retailers pointing to theft only? Do you work at a major retail store such as Walmart and have a story idea to share?

Persons: —, Matthew Schroeder, Melodie van der, William Blair, Gillian Flaccus, der Baan, van der Baan, Jennifer Ortakales Dawkins, Blair Organizations: Service, Target, Walgreens, Aid, Home Depot, Max Retail, National Retail Federation, Walmart, AP Locations: Harlem , New York, Manhattan , New York

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