LendingTree reports 61% of Halloween shoppers will skip purchases.
8 sources · Signal 58/100 · 5 insights
This week
Weekly verdict
Signal Score 58/100
Retailers should prepare for a challenging holiday season by adjusting inventory and promotional strategies to cater to cost-conscious consumers.
What moved
- LendingTree reports 61% of Halloween shoppers will skip purchases.
- The RealReal secures new financing, which could alter competitive dynamics in the luxury resale market.
- Bealls launches a mobile app to strengthen loyalty, aiming to capture a share of expected 6.7% online sales growth.
- Target's upgraded myDay app integrates AI insights.
- Saks Fifth Avenue's holiday campaign tests its post-bankruptcy strategy, crucial for Exemplar Luxury Group's recovery plan. CONTEXT: Saks Fifth Avenue, recently emerged from bankruptcy under Exemplar Luxury Group, is launching its "Main Character Energy" holiday campaign. The campaign will feature decorated windows, a light show, and a holiday market at its New York flagship. Exemplar aims for a 7% annual revenue growth from 2027 to 2030. WHAT IT MEANS: Retailers should observe if Saks' strategy of using iconic experiences boosts foot traffic and sales, potentially influencing their own holiday marketing approaches. The success of this campaign could signal a viable path for other struggling department stores. SIGNAL: 7/10 - Watch for sales performance and consumer response to Saks' holiday offerings after the Nov. 23 light show launch.
What to watch
- 📅 Friday, October 23, 2026, TJX Companies' Q3 Earnings Release: As we noted in our 2026-09-27 edition, TJX's warehouse distribution model offers flexibility against weather disruptions, making this earnings release crucial to assess how their strategy is performing amid ongoing supply chain challenges.
- 📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026, Halloween Shopping Peak Weekend: With Halloween spending forecasted to reach $13.5 billion, this weekend will provide key insights into consumer spending behaviors and the effectiveness of retailers' promotional strategies as they gear up for the holiday season.
- 📅 Monday, October 26, 2026, Adobe's Holiday Shopping Forecast Update: Following Adobe's prediction that AI-driven holiday shopping traffic will double, this update will be essential for tracking how AI integration is shaping consumer behavior and influencing retail strategies during the critical holiday period.
This week's stories reveal a notable pattern of strategic shifts in response to financial and technological developments. The RealReal's new financing and Target's AI-enhanced myDay app highlight a focus on strengthening competitive positions through financial restructuring and technological upgrades. These moves indicate a trend where companies are using new capital and technology to adapt to market pressures, particularly as the holiday season approaches and competition intensifies.
For retail and e-commerce practitioners, these developments suggest a heightened risk of falling behind if they do not reassess their financial and technological strategies. Companies should scrutinize their current financial structures and digital capabilities, particularly in AI and mobile technology, to ensure they can compete effectively. With The RealReal and Target setting new benchmarks, the next quarter will be crucial for making these adjustments to remain competitive.
Non-obvious takeaway: What many might miss is the potential ripple effect on the supply chain and logistics sectors. As retailers like Target integrate AI to optimize operations, there will be increased pressure on logistics partners to deliver faster and more efficiently. This could lead to a reevaluation of existing contracts and partnerships, as retailers demand higher performance to match their upgraded internal capabilities. Logistics providers may need to invest in their own technological enhancements to meet these new expectations.
LendingTree reports 61% of Halloween shoppers will skip purchases.
CONTEXT
A LendingTree survey of 2,000 U.S. consumers indicates that Halloween spending plans have decreased by 16% from 2025, with only 80% of shoppers planning purchases compared to 90% last year. Nearly two-thirds plan to skip items like candy, costumes, and decorations.
WHAT IT MEANS
Retailers should prepare for a challenging holiday season by adjusting inventory and promotional strategies to cater to cost-conscious consumers. Focus on offering value-driven options and early discounts to capture hesitant buyers. Monitor consumer sentiment closely through the end of the year.
Watch for shifts in holiday marketing strategies as retailers respond to reduced consumer spending.
📊 Prediction, tracked for 28 days
We predict that major retailers will announce discounts on Halloween merchandise within the next 28 days to address the decrease in consumer spending.
The RealReal secures new financing, which could alter competitive dynamics in the luxury resale market.
CONTEXT
The RealReal has obtained fresh financing, as reported by Retail Dive. This move comes at a time when luxury resale platforms are exploring strategies to navigate evolving consumer demands and economic pressures.
WHAT IT MEANS
Competitors in the luxury resale sector should reassess their financial strategies and explore potential partnerships or restructuring. The RealReal's financing could trigger similar strategic shifts among rivals aiming to bolster their market positions. Keeping an eye on financial developments in this sector over the next quarter will be essential.
Watch for announcements from other luxury resale platforms regarding financial strategies by the end of Q4.
📊 Prediction, tracked for 28 days
We predict that at least one major competitor of The RealReal will announce a new financing round or strategic partnership within 28 days.
Bealls launches a mobile app to strengthen loyalty, aiming to capture a share of expected 6.7% online sales growth.
CONTEXT
Bealls introduced its mobile app as part of a strategy to enhance customer loyalty and brand recognition. The app's launch coincides with the "For the Haul of It" marketing campaign and Bealls' expansion to over 650 locations across 23 states. Adobe predicts a 6.7% increase in online retail sales during the holiday season.
WHAT IT MEANS
Retailers should prioritize digital engagement strategies, as Bealls' app launch underscores the growing importance of omnichannel presence. With online sales set to rise, investing in mobile technology could be vital for capturing holiday spending.
Track Bealls' app adoption and customer engagement through the holiday season to assess its impact on sales.
📊 Prediction, tracked for 28 days
We predict that Bealls will report a 10% increase in app downloads and user engagement metrics within 28 days.
Target's upgraded myDay app integrates AI insights.
CONTEXT
Target has revamped its myDay app, incorporating customizable home screens and AI-backed insights, after consulting employees from 50 stores. The app now prioritizes tasks and includes a Scan to Divert function, which has already contributed $25 million in value. Future updates will enhance task management and AI capabilities.
WHAT IT MEANS
Retailers should reassess their digital tools for store operations, as AI integration becomes crucial for efficiency. Upgrading tech solutions to optimize inventory and task management is essential before the holiday season increases operational pressures.
Monitor how competitors adapt their employee tech tools in response to Target's advancements by early 2027.
📊 Prediction, tracked for 28 days
We predict that Target will report a measurable increase in application usage by store associates of at least 15% within 28 days due to the enhancements made to the myDay app.
Saks Fifth Avenue's holiday campaign tests its post-bankruptcy strategy, crucial for Exemplar Luxury Group's recovery plan. CONTEXT: Saks Fifth Avenue, recently emerged from bankruptcy under Exemplar Luxury Group, is launching its "Main Character Energy" holiday campaign. The campaign will feature decorated windows, a light show, and a holiday market at its New York flagship. Exemplar aims for a 7% annual revenue growth from 2027 to 2030. WHAT IT MEANS: Retailers should observe if Saks' strategy of using iconic experiences boosts foot traffic and sales, potentially influencing their own holiday marketing approaches. The success of this campaign could signal a viable path for other struggling department stores. SIGNAL: 7/10 - Watch for sales performance and consumer response to Saks' holiday offerings after the Nov. 23 light show launch.
📊 Prediction, tracked for 28 days
We predict that Saks Fifth Avenue will report a 5% increase in foot traffic at its New York flagship store during the holiday campaign within 28 days.
📅 Watch This Week
Friday, October 23, 2026, TJX Companies' Q3 Earnings Release: As we noted in our 2026-09-27 edition, TJX's warehouse distribution model offers flexibility against weather disruptions, making this earnings release crucial to assess how their strategy is performing amid ongoing supply chain challenges.
Saturday, October 24, 2026, Halloween Shopping Peak Weekend: With Halloween spending forecasted to reach $13.5 billion, this weekend will provide key insights into consumer spending behaviors and the effectiveness of retailers' promotional strategies as they gear up for the holiday season.
Monday, October 26, 2026, Adobe's Holiday Shopping Forecast Update: Following Adobe's prediction that AI-driven holiday shopping traffic will double, this update will be essential for tracking how AI integration is shaping consumer behavior and influencing retail strategies during the critical holiday period.
Curated by Falko AI · 4-7 expert sources · Signal-ranked