EBay is trying to embrace increased demand for used and refurbished items from shoppers eager to save money. EBay Inc. gave a profit forecast for the fourth quarter that missed the average analyst estimate, stoking investor concerns about narrowing margins heading into the holiday shopping season. Most Read from Bloomberg Profit, excluding some items, will be $1.31 to $1.36 a share in the period ending in December, the company said Wednesday in a statement. Revenue will be $2.83 billion to $2.89 billion ...

Core Insights - The company is undergoing a restructuring process, with a total of approximately 1,800 corporate jobs being affected, including 1,000 existing positions and 800 unfilled postings, indicating a focus on streamlining operations and initiating change [1] - The company has recognized potential operational bloat, a common issue across the industry, as many firms added redundancy during the pandemic to ensure supply chain stability [2][3] - The decision to cut corporate jobs is seen as a normal business practice, with other retailers like Walmart also making similar moves [4] Business Fundamentals - The job cuts will not impact customer-facing roles, meaning seasonal hiring and in-store employee numbers will remain unaffected [5] - Success in the upcoming holiday season will depend on inventory management, product selection, and customer experience, with retailers needing to ensure they have adequate stock [6][8] - Retailers are expected to offer more spread-out deals during the holiday season as consumers seek value and manage spending to avoid large credit card bills in January [10] Supply Chain and Pricing - Most holiday goods orders were placed earlier in the year, with products arriving in July and August, positioning retailers well for the holiday season [9] - Certain product categories may see price increases due to tariffs, but retailers are hesitant to raise prices unless absolutely necessary [11] - Companies are exploring ways to manage costs with suppliers to avoid passing on price increases to consumers, although some price adjustments may be unavoidable [12]

After widening its delivery footprint to more U.S. locations this year, e-commerce courier Veho is adding a significant amount of parcel handling infrastructure in key existing markets to deepen capacity for the fast-approaching peak holiday shipping season. New York-based Veho on Thursday announced it has expanded parcel sorting capacity by over 50% in its top markets, enabling it to meet an expected surge in B2C e-commerce demand, by increasing the size of its own facilities and partnering with other wa ...

Core Insights - Shoppers utilized Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days on October 7 and 8 to purchase practical everyday essentials, influenced by inflation and economic uncertainty [1][2] - Despite high awareness of the event, participation was lower than expected, with only 61% of July Prime Day shoppers returning for October deals [5][6] Consumer Behavior - 45% of shoppers aimed to buy items they had been waiting to go on sale, while 28% focused on everyday essentials and 25% on stocking up on sale items [4] - 90% of shoppers were aware of the event, but only 61% returned for additional deals, indicating a decline in engagement compared to July [5] Sales Performance - Amazon's October Prime Big Deal Days saw a drop in average order size by 15%, from $53.54 in July to $45.42, with 44% of orders under $20 [8] - Satisfaction with sales decreased from 66% in July to 58% in October, reflecting a decline in consumer enthusiasm [6] Economic Context - Tariffs and inflation are influencing consumer purchasing decisions, with 48% of shoppers considering tariffs and 28% limiting spending due to cost of living concerns [8] - The Consumer Confidence Index fell to 94.2 in September, indicating a decline in consumer sentiment due to economic factors [12][13] Holiday Shopping Outlook - Only 23% of shoppers used Prime Big Deal Days to start holiday shopping, a significant drop from 45% the previous year [10] - Predictions for the 2025 holiday shopping season are uncertain, with 80% of shoppers expecting higher prices and 31% planning to buy fewer items [15][16]

Core Insights - Sezzle Inc. has expanded its merchant network with new partners in various sectors, including fashion, sporting goods, beauty, and digital content, in preparation for the 2025 holiday shopping season [1][2]. Merchant Partnerships - New merchants joining Sezzle include Cato Fashions, SCHEELS, D&B Supply, and Dermstore, reflecting a strategic move to cater to price-sensitive consumers during the holiday season [2][4]. - Cato Fashions is noted as a leading women's fashion retailer, while SCHEELS is recognized as a top destination for sporting goods and apparel [2]. Consumer Spending Trends - According to PwC's 2025 Holiday Outlook, consumers are expected to be more price-sensitive, with Gen Z projected to spend nearly 23% less than the previous year, and overall spending across generations expected to dip around 5% [2]. - The focus on discounts and value over splurges indicates a shift in consumer behavior, particularly among younger generations [2]. Strategic Expansion - Sezzle is adapting to Gen Z's preferences by partnering with platforms like Whop, which focuses on social commerce and digital products, allowing users to engage with content more flexibly [3]. - This partnership aligns with the trend of Gen Z prioritizing experiences and digital communities over traditional goods [3]. Performance Metrics - Early results from Sezzle's partnerships indicate significant growth, with Cato brands reporting that Sezzle orders in the first month averaged nearly double their baseline order value [4]. - The company emphasizes its ability to drive meaningful results at scale, showcasing consistent growth in unique shoppers, total orders, and Sezzle-driven volume [4]. Value Proposition - Sezzle positions itself as a solution for both consumers and retailers, helping shoppers budget responsibly while providing retailers with tools to enhance sales and customer loyalty [4].

Core Viewpoint - The government shutdown is expected to have a significant impact on consumer spending and certain retail stocks, particularly as the holiday shopping season approaches [1][4]. Market Performance - Initial market reactions included a dip, but there is a recovery as the market adjusts to the anticipated short duration of the shutdown, likely between one week to ten days [2][3]. Impact on Employment and Consumer Spending - Approximately two million federal employees may face furloughs, which could affect consumer spending and the housing market, especially if mass layoffs occur [3][4]. - The duration of the shutdown and potential mass layoffs will be critical factors influencing consumer behavior and spending patterns [4][7]. Holiday Shopping Season - The holiday shopping season is set to begin in early to mid-October, and any mass layoffs could quickly impact holiday spending [5][6]. - Retail forecasts from organizations like the National Retail Federation and Mastercard will be closely monitored for adjustments due to the shutdown [7]. Consumer Behavior and Retail Preferences - In a tightening economic environment, consumers are likely to gravitate towards cost-conscious retailers such as Costco, Walmart, and TJX, which offer better value [8][9]. - Retailers like Target and traditional department stores may be more vulnerable due to their positioning in the market [10][11]. Retailer Performance Outlook - Costco is highlighted as a strong performer due to its one-stop shopping model and focus on fresh foods, which appeals to consumers during the holiday season [12][15]. - Holiday spending is projected to increase by 3.4%, with Costco expected to outperform this figure based on its ability to capture consumer wallet share [17][18]. Demographic Spending Trends - There are concerns that Gen Z may reduce their holiday spending by 25% if the shutdown persists, reflecting broader consumer sentiment [19][20]. - The overall impact of the shutdown could lead to a general tightening of spending across various demographic groups, not just Gen Z [20][21].

Core Insights - Seasonal hiring in the retail industry is expected to decline significantly, with projections indicating the addition of under 500,000 positions in Q4 2025, marking the smallest seasonal gain in 16 years and an 8% decrease from the previous year [2][4] Group 1: Hiring Trends - Retailers are facing multiple challenges including tariffs, inflation, and a shift towards automation, which is leading to fewer seasonal hires [3][4] - Major retailers like Target have not disclosed their seasonal hiring plans yet, contrasting with last year when they announced specific hiring numbers [5][6] - Companies such as Spirit Halloween and Bath & Body Works have released their hiring plans, with Spirit planning to hire 50,000 and Bath & Body Works planning to hire 32,000 workers [7][8] Group 2: Economic Indicators - The overall job market has shown signs of slowing, with nonfarm payrolls increasing by only 22,000 in August, significantly below expectations [9][10] - Consumers are under financial pressure due to persistent inflation and high interest rates, which may dampen demand during the holiday season [11] - Reports indicate that consumers plan to spend 5% less on holiday gifts and related expenses this year, marking the first significant drop since 2020 [12]

Industry Overview - The holiday shopping season is crucial for retailers, with economic factors like persistent inflation and trade policies impacting revenues [1] - Deloitte projects U.S. holiday retail sales to increase by 2.9% to 3.4%, totaling approximately $1.61 trillion to $1.62 trillion, indicating a slower growth rate compared to the previous year's 4.2% [2][9] - E-commerce is expected to grow significantly, with a forecasted increase of 7% to 9%, leading to total online sales between $305 billion and $310.7 billion [4][9] Company Insights - **SharkNinja, Inc. (SN)**: Anticipated to benefit from consumer demand for value-driven deals, with a growth model focused on product innovation and a diversified supply chain. The Zacks Consensus Estimate suggests sales and EPS growth of 14.4% and 15.6%, respectively [3][10][11] - **Genesco Inc. (GCO)**: Experiencing strong momentum at Journeys, with a refreshed product mix and brand storytelling. The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates sales and EPS growth of 3% and 67%, respectively [12][13] - **Casey's General Stores, Inc. (CASY)**: Leveraging scale and digital engagement to enhance its position in convenience retail, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate forecasting sales and EPS growth of 10.7% and 8.7%, respectively [14][15] - **Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (SFM)**: Focused on organic products and customer engagement through loyalty programs, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate suggesting sales and EPS growth of 15.7% and 40.8%, respectively [16][17]