Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) is included among the 10 Cash-Rich Stocks to Buy Now. Wolfe Research Sees Regional Gaps in Target’s (TGT) Holiday Performance Ken Wolter / Shutterstock.com On December 23, Wolfe Research analyst Spencer Hanus told investors that the firm’s checks show Walmart continues to outperform Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) across most trade areas. Target has delivered solid seasonal merchandise execution in a few markets, including Northern New Jersey, but performance has been uneven. ...

Core Insights - UK retailers are projected to face a £1.05 billion returns challenge post-Christmas, with an estimated 52 million gifts expected to be returned [1] - The overall return rate has decreased from 43% to 33% year-on-year, but the total value of returns remains significant, with an average returned gift valued at £57 [1] Retailer Challenges - The scale of returns places immense logistical and financial pressure on retailers, highlighting the importance of effective returns management to build long-term customer trust and loyalty [2] - Retailers are experiencing a clash between consumer expectations for seamless and free returns and the operational realities of processing returns and managing inventory [7] Shopping Trends - There is a notable shift towards hybrid shopping, with 31% of consumers planning to shop half in-store and half online, and 26% intending to shop mostly in-store but partly online [2] - Only 5% of consumers plan to do all their shopping online, indicating a rebound from the post-COVID e-commerce surge [2] Generational Differences - A significant generational divide exists in shopping and returns behavior, with 23% of those aged 65+ planning to shop entirely in-person compared to only 10% of those aged 18-24 [3] - Older consumers (65+) are less likely to return gifts, with 87% not returning any gifts last Christmas, while 53% of shoppers aged 18-24 admitted to returning at least one gift [6] Returns by Product Category - Clothing and footwear are the most returned items, with 39% of consumers returning clothing and 37% returning shoes/footwear [3] - The return rate for footwear has surged from 21% to 37%, while jewellery/watches and cosmetics also feature prominently with a 12% return rate each [3] Customer Experience Preferences - A strong preference for human store associates over digital assistants exists, with 81% of consumers favoring human support for returns, primarily due to trust [5] - The findings emphasize the need for a blended approach in customer experience, where technology complements rather than replaces human interaction [5]

U.S. stock markets are navigating a subdued but strategically important Monday, December 29, 2025, as investors look to close out a remarkably strong year and position themselves for 2026. While premarket activity shows a slight dip in major index futures, the overarching sentiment remains positive, buoyed by the ongoing "Santa Claus rally" and robust year-to-date gains across Wall Street benchmarks. The week ahead, though shortened by the New Year's holiday, holds crucial economic data and Federal Reserve ...

This retailer has stood tall through thick and thin in the economy and stock market.I don't generally buy stocks with the intention of selling them within a short period. However, there are situations -- whether business-specific, industry-related, or economy-related -- that cause me to finally cut ties with a stock.On the other hand, there are a few stocks in my portfolio that I refuse to cut ties with, regardless of the environment. One of those is retail giant Walmart (WMT +0.12%). Walmart is a staple in ...

Core Insights - The trend of U.S. retailers accepting cryptocurrency as payment is growing, with a process that involves converting cryptocurrencies into cash first [1][3] - Major retailers like Walmart and Starbucks are integrating cryptocurrency payment options through mobile apps, although no retailer currently accepts direct cryptocurrency payments [2][3] Retail Adoption of Cryptocurrency - Walmart allows customers to sell their bitcoin or ethereum through the Walmart OnePay app before making purchases [1] - Starbucks has been accepting bitcoin and ethereum since 2021 via the SPEDN app, indicating a shift towards integrating crypto in retail [2] Consumer Benefits - The ability to convert crypto holdings into cash provides significant advantages for consumers, especially those who may not have access to traditional banking [3][4] - This development could potentially change the landscape of digital finance for both consumers and investors [3] Financial Considerations - Selling cryptocurrency to cover expenses may lead to regrets if the value of bitcoin appreciates in the future, as it is viewed as a hedge against fiat currency depreciation [5] - Tax implications are significant, as the IRS treats digital assets as property, requiring reporting of capital gains or losses for transactions [6] Transaction Risks - If a consumer sells bitcoin for a purchase and later returns the item, they may receive cash that reflects a loss compared to their initial investment [7]

Just when you thought you made your last trip out to the mall or the shopping center this year, it's time for returnuary. According to the National Retail Federation, retailers estimate about 17% of their holiday sales will be returned this year. So, how do all those returns impact a store's bottom line.And what does it say about the consumer. Let's ask Bill Simon. He's the former president and CEO of Walmart US.Uh, Bill, it's great to see you. And um I guess stores are trying to really take advantage of th ...

David Paul Morris / Bloomberg via Getty Images It's been a downbeat year for investors in shares of retailer Target. Key Takeaways Reports on Friday suggested that an activist investor has taken a stake in beaten-down retailer Target. Precise details about the stake couldn't be immediately determined, but investors nonetheless got on board, pulling the company's shares higher Friday. We might not know how Target's sales were this Christmas yet, but its shares are getting a holiday-week bump. Share ...

U.S. stock market cooled on Friday, Dec. 26, as investors stepped back after a strong pre-Christmas rally. Following a record-breaking Christmas Eve session, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 96.62 points, or 0.20%, to 48,634.54. This cooling period is common during the final trading week of the year, characterized by lower trading volumes and investor rebalancing. While the S&P 500 slipped a marginal 0.07% to 6,927.29, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite remained nearly flat, shedding just 0.21 points to ...

Retailer Target is facing pressure from hedge fund Toms Capital Investment Management following a sales drop and a slump in its stock value this year, according to people familiar with the matter, the... ...

It has been a bleak year for retailers. A number of major chains have closed their doors forever, and other retailers, including Kohl's, JCPenney, and Macy's, have trimmed their store portfolios in meaningful ways. The final numbers are not in for the year, but predictions have been bleak. "Following a raft of store closures in 2024, retail advisory firm Coresight Researchpredicts that closures will escalate further this year, to approximately 15,000. Store openings are expected to remain steady at appr ...