Market Wisdom — Marci

T oday’s retail landscape is defined by resilience and reinvention. CVS is actively acquiring hundreds of Rite Aid locations and prescription files, signaling a new era of consolidation in pharmacy retail. Meanwhile, 7-Eleven is doubling down on experiential retail with Halloween BOGO deals and a new “Midnight Driving Club” apparel line. The lesson: agility and customer-centricity are the new competitive edge.

My advice: Embrace change and look for opportunity in disruption. Whether it’s a new product line or a strategic acquisition, the retailers who move first — and move with empathy — will win the season.

Your Move: Audit your portfolio for underperformers and be ready to pivot quickly. Celebrate your wins, but don’t get comfortable.

Stock & Market Watch

T esco, Grocery Outlet, and ABB are today’s retail market standouts, each posting strong momentum and earnings upgrades. Tesco shares are up 8% in three months, Grocery Outlet up 9.4%, and ABB up 14.1%, all outpacing the S&P 500. Meanwhile, Walgreens is in the spotlight after its acquisition by Sycamore Partners, and CVS is gaining on Rite Aid’s closures. The sector is rewarding value, scale, and operational agility.

Your Move: Watch for further consolidation and momentum in value and tech-enabled retail. Consider exposure to retailers with strong balance sheets and digital infrastructure.

What’s Being Said on the Street

A nalysts are dissecting CVS’s Rite Aid acquisition and Walgreens’ private equity deal, while social media is buzzing about 7-Eleven’s Halloween BOGO deals and the new “Midnight Driving Club” apparel drop. On Reddit, trending retail threads focus on store closures, digital price tags, and the ongoing “kidult” toy trend. TikTok is amplifying Halloween and autumnal product launches.

Your Move: Monitor social and analyst chatter for early signals on consolidation, experiential retail, and viral product launches.

Corporate & Boardroom Insight

B oardrooms are focused on M&A and brand reinvention. CVS’s Rite Aid acquisition and Walgreens’ private equity buyout are reshaping the pharmacy landscape. Hershey’s new global branding, launched today at TFWA Cannes, signals a push for unified, immersive brand experiences. 7-Eleven’s new apparel line and Halloween deals show how retailers are leveraging events and exclusive drops to drive engagement.

Your Move: Revisit your M&A and brand strategy. Are you positioned for scale, and are your brand experiences unified across channels?

Category Focus — Luxury & Value Apparel

L uxury and value apparel continue to outperform, with mid-tier brands squeezed by cautious consumer spending. Embroidered and oversized apparel, athleisure, and sustainable swimwear are trending in search and sales. Retailers are leaning into limited-edition drops and influencer collaborations to drive urgency and brand heat.

Your Move: Double down on clear value and luxury messaging. Test exclusive drops and influencer partnerships.

Retail Dive — General Merchandise

G eneral merchandise is seeing strong demand for drinkware, throw blankets, candles, and home gadgets. Halloween and autumnal decor are driving seasonal sales, while digital price tags and BOPIS (buy online, pick up in store) continue to gain traction. Experiential retail and exclusive product launches are key to driving footfall and online buzz.

Your Move: Lean into trending home and seasonal categories. Test digital shelf tech and exclusive in-store events.

Top 10 General Merchandise Site Searches

C onsumers are searching for “moody wall art,” “stainless steel drinkware,” “throw blankets,” “eco-friendly candles,” “embroidered sweatshirts,” “oversized tees,” “athleisure sets,” “flare yoga pants,” “barn jackets,” and “trucker hats.” Seasonal and home comfort, along with apparel and accessories, are leading the way.

Your Move: Optimize SEO and paid search for these trending terms. Feature comfort and seasonal products in your campaigns.

TikTok + Social Trends — General Merchandise

T ikTok and Instagram are driving micro-trends: “Directed by Robert B. Weide” business glow-ups, “hoa hoa hoa” Halloween content, and “don’t worry if people don’t like you” motivational posts. Retailers are leveraging these trends for viral product launches and seasonal engagement.

Your Move: Partner with micro-influencers and use trending audio to amplify new launches and in-store events.

Apparel Pulse

A pparel is seeing strong demand for oversized and embroidered styles, athleisure, and sustainable fabrics. Value and luxury segments are both growing, while mid-tier brands are challenged. Limited-edition drops and regional trends (like “coastal cowgirl” and Western wear) are driving urgency.

Your Move: Secure Q4 inventory and test exclusive drops. Highlight sustainability and comfort in your messaging.

Toys & Play

J ellycat plush toys and “kidult” collectibles are driving toy sales, with nostalgia and Halloween themes boosting demand. Chocolate prices are rising ahead of Halloween due to cocoa cost surges. In-store activations and exclusive drops are key to capturing both kids and adults.

Your Move: Expand plush and nostalgia assortments. Prepare for higher COGS in candy and seasonal treats.

Data Pulse

K ey metrics: U.S. retail vacancy rate steady at 4.3% (Q3 2025). Rent growth strongest in Southern and Western metros. Net absorption reached 4.6M sq. ft. Gen Alpha shoppers prefer in-store for family time and fun. Top allowance purchases: snacks, entertainment, electronics.

Your Move: Use these benchmarks to calibrate your Q4 forecasts and in-store experience strategies.

In-Store Traffic Trends — Forecast vs Actual

F oot traffic is steady, with mall vacancies down and shopping center occupancy up. In-store experiences and exclusive events are drawing Gen Alpha and families, especially for Halloween and autumnal launches. Rent growth and new store openings are strongest in the South and West.

Your Move: Invest in in-store events and exclusive drops to drive traffic. Track traffic patterns and adjust staffing accordingly.

Retail Demand Prediction — Holiday 2025

E xpect a late, value-driven holiday surge. Shoppers are holding out for deals, but will spend on “worth it” items and experiences. Last-minute online and BOPIS (buy online, pick up in store) orders will spike.

Your Move: Prepare for a compressed holiday calendar. Flex fulfillment and staffing for a late-season rush.

Street to Strategy — Global Trend Watch

C VS and Walgreens are reshaping U.S. pharmacy retail, while Hershey’s new global branding is rolling out across airports in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. 7-Eleven’s Halloween and apparel launches are setting the pace for experiential retail worldwide. International expansion and unified brand experiences are top of mind for global retailers.

Your Move: Benchmark global best practices and consider cross-border partnerships for 2026 growth.

😂 Retail Reality Check — A Daily Laugh

O nly in retail: CVS is buying up Rite Aid, 7-Eleven is selling bucket hats, and Hershey’s is branding airport luggage. If you’d told me a decade ago that Halloween BOGO deals and “kidult” plush toys would be the talk of the season, I’d have asked for a refill on my coffee. The more things change, the more shoppers surprise us.

Your Move: Stock grace daily.