Core Insights - The holiday season has become chaotic for small retailers like Loftie due to import tariffs on Chinese goods disrupting their supply chains [1][2] - Small businesses are facing significant challenges in managing inventory levels, with many operating at dangerously low stock ahead of peak shopping periods [3][4] Supply Chain Disruptions - Loftie has reduced its inventory to about 10% of what is needed due to tariff uncertainties and supply chain disruptions [2] - The fluctuation in tariffs, including a potential increase to 180%, forced Loftie to consider shifting production to Thailand, but ultimately, the higher costs led them to remain with Chinese manufacturers [3] Impact on Retailers - November and December typically account for one-third of annual profits for U.S. retailers, making inventory management critical during this period [4] - Other small businesses, like Lo & Sons, also faced challenges in balancing inventory and supplier changes, leading to low stock levels [4][5] Financial Strain on Small Retailers - Operating margins for small retailers with total assets under $50 million have dropped to negative 20.7%, with 36% at high risk of bankruptcy compared to 12% of larger retailers [6] - The uncertainty caused by tariffs has prevented small businesses from placing purchase orders, exacerbating their inventory issues [5][6]

Tuesday marked the second time this year Kohl's shares gained about 40% in a single session. David Paul Morris / Bloomberg / Getty Images Close Key Takeaways Retail Sales: Definition, Measurement, and Use As an Economic Indicator Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Roles and Responsibilities vs. Other Chief Roles Kohl's (KSS) shares soared Tuesday after the retailer reported a surprise profit and better-than-expected sales, a day after removing the "interim" tag from CEO Michael Bender's title. The company said ...

U.S. stock markets presented a mixed picture on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, as investors carefully weighed a fresh batch of economic data and significant corporate news, particularly within the artificial intelligence (AI) sector. While the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) managed to post gains, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (COMP) slipped, and the S&P 500 (SPX) remained largely flat. This subdued performance followed a strong rally on Monday, driven by renewed optimism surrounding potential Federal Re ...

US stocks ended sharply higher Tuesday, building on a broad rebound fueled by growing optimism that the Federal Reserve will deliver a rate cut next month, while tech heavyweights Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL) and Apple (AAPL) posted record highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) jumped more than 1.4%, or over 600 points, while the S&P 500 (^GSPC) rose 0.9%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) shook off an early slide to trade around 0.7% higher, after Monday’s session delivered a strong start to the ...

The retailer is looking for revenue opportunities in the shift to chatbot-guided e-commerce. ...

Kohl's rises after raising its full-year outlook for the second straight quarter, adding to a steady stream of retailers reporting stronger-than-expected results, like Abercrombie & Fitch. Bloomberg Intelligence's Senior Retail Equity Research analyst Mary Ross Gilbert discussed the earnings on "Bloomberg Markets" with Scarlet Fu. ...

Group 1 - Symbotic (SYM) reported better-than-expected fiscal fourth-quarter results, with adjusted profit significantly increasing, leading to a surge in its stock price [1] - The company specializes in AI-enabled robotic technologies for automating warehouses and distribution centers, with Walmart (WMT) as a major customer [1] - Following the earnings report, there were multiple price-target hikes and an upgrade for SYM shares [1] Group 2 - The Nasdaq 100 index, tracked by the QQQ ETF, is undergoing changes in its membership, which may impact major companies like Walmart and Lululemon [2] - The stock market is experiencing fluctuations, with notable movements in stocks like Nvidia and Walmart, indicating a broader market sentiment shift [4] - Walmart has announced a "beat-and-raise" report, suggesting strong performance and potential growth [4]

Economic Indicators - Retail Sales for September increased by +0.2%, falling short of expectations and down from +0.6% in the previous two months, marking the lowest level since May's -0.8% [2][8] - The Control number for Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) came in at -0.1%, significantly lower than the +0.3% expected and the worst monthly figure in over a year [3] - The Producer Price Index (PPI) for September was +0.3%, up from -0.1% the previous month but lower than +0.7% in July; year-over-year PPI increased to +2.7% [4] Employment Data - The preliminary ADP jobs data showed a decline of -13.5K, marking the third consecutive week of job losses, with the 4-week average falling below previous reports [5][6] - Upcoming monthly ADP jobs numbers for October are expected to show a potential weakening in job growth, with a possibility of the headline coming in below zero for four out of the last six months [6] Earnings Reports - Alibaba (BABA) reported earnings of $0.66 per share, missing estimates by 5 cents, but shares rose +3% due to stronger AI cloud sales, with a year-to-date increase of over +90% [9] - Best Buy (BBY) exceeded earnings expectations with $1.40 per share, leading to modest share gains, while Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) surpassed expectations by over +10% with earnings of $2.36 per share, resulting in an +18% increase in shares [10] - Kohl's (KSS) reported a positive surprise of +152% with earnings of +$0.10 per share, leading to a +26% increase in early trading [11] - Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS) beat earnings expectations with $2.78 per share, but shares fell due to the announcement of Foot Locker closures [12]

Group 1: Market Overview - Alphabet is expected to reach a $4 trillion market cap, driven by positive sentiment following Warren Buffett's investment and favorable reviews of its Gemini 3 product [1][24] - Nvidia is facing pressure as Meta plans to purchase a significant amount of Google AI chips, indicating competitive dynamics in the AI chip market [1][25] - Retail sales data for September showed that American consumers spent less than anticipated, raising concerns about consumer strength ahead of the holiday shopping season [4][9] Group 2: Retail Sector Insights - Best Buy has raised its outlook due to strong demand for entertainment products, while other retailers like Dick's Sporting Goods are struggling with operational challenges [2][3] - The retail landscape is mixed, with some companies performing well while others, like Abberium Fitch, reported disappointing results [6][12] - A bifurcated consumer market is emerging, where higher-income consumers remain optimistic while lower-income consumers are more cautious and seeking bargains [13][60] Group 3: Economic Indicators - The Federal Reserve is closely monitoring consumer spending and employment conditions, with recent data suggesting a potential weakening in the economy [8][10] - The affordability crisis is affecting lower-income households significantly, with rising costs for essential goods and housing [56][61] - The average cost of a car has surpassed $50,000, contributing to the affordability challenges faced by many Americans [61] Group 4: Technology Sector Developments - Large-cap tech companies continue to invest heavily in AI infrastructure, with expectations of above-market earnings growth for the sector next year [15][16] - Alphabet's Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) and deep learning capabilities are gaining traction, potentially rivaling Nvidia's offerings [25][26] - Oracle is facing scrutiny regarding its backlog tied to OpenAI, with mixed analyst opinions on its future performance [41][49]

Target is moving forward with plans to expand its footprint through new, larger-format stores despite weak sales.  The Minneapolis-based retailer announced last week during its earnings call that it will invest billions to upgrade existing locations and open additional large-format stores as it works to reverse its sales slump and return to profitable growth.The company will raise capital expenditures – the money it invests in long-term assets like technology and infrastructure – to $5 billion in the next f ...