American Eagle's shares fell 13% after the company issued weak holiday guidance and reduced its full-year forecast, citing inconsistent consumer spending outside key shopping periods. The retailer narrowly missed revenue expectations but exceeded earnings forecasts for the third quarter. Despite strong demand for its Aerie brand, American Eagle anticipates a 4% decline in total holiday sales and adjusted its full-year sales growth expectations downward. This cautious outlook contrasts with some competitors who have recently improved their forecasts.
A video of a confrontation between two shoppers at a Costco, where a man rammed a woman's cart in frustration, has sparked online debate about shopper etiquette during the busy holiday season. The incident, posted on Reddit, highlights tensions in crowded stores, with commenters criticizing both the man's behavior and the aisle-blocking shoppers. The video also drew attention to the issue of bringing pets into grocery stores. Costco has not commented on the incident.
Gap Inc. raised its annual guidance for the third time this year after posting better-than-expected fiscal third-quarter results, despite sales being impacted by hurricanes and warm weather. The company, which owns brands like Old Navy and Banana Republic, now anticipates a 1.5% to 2% increase in fiscal 2024 sales, surpassing analyst expectations. CEO Richard Dickson noted that sales rebounded as weather conditions improved, and the holiday shopping season has started strong. Gap's strategic focus on brand identity and marketing has led to four consecutive quarters of sales growth.
Target is set to report its fiscal third-quarter earnings, with analysts expecting earnings per share of $2.30 and revenue of $25.90 billion. The retailer has been struggling with foot traffic and sales due to cautious consumer spending amid high food and housing costs. To attract price-sensitive shoppers, Target has implemented significant price cuts on thousands of items throughout the year. Despite these efforts, the company remains cautious about its sales outlook, expecting comparable sales to be in the lower half of its previous range.
Target is set to report its third-quarter earnings, with analysts expecting a 9% increase in earnings per share and a 2% rise in revenue. The company's stock has struggled compared to rivals like Walmart and Costco, partly due to its focus on discretionary goods. Despite a recent dip in stock price, there is potential for growth as discretionary sales improve and Target focuses on value during the holiday season. Investors are also watching other retailers like TJX and BJ's Wholesale Club for earnings updates.
Walmart is set to report its fiscal third-quarter earnings, with analysts expecting earnings per share of 53 cents and revenue of $167.72 billion. As inflation eases and the holiday season approaches, Walmart's performance will provide insights into U.S. consumer sentiment. Despite challenges like potential tariffs and a shorter holiday season, holiday spending is projected to rise modestly. Walmart has benefited from its grocery and online sales, raising its full-year forecast, though its third-quarter earnings outlook fell short of investor expectations.
Velo has curated a list of cycling gift ideas suitable for various budgets, ranging from under $25 to nearly $1,000. The selection includes practical items like the Foothill Kit Hanger and Camelbak Podium Steel bike bottle, as well as fun gifts like a bicycle pizza cutter. For more serious cyclists, options like the Dynaplug Racer Pro and Garmin Edge 1050 are available. These gifts cater to different needs and preferences, ensuring there's something for every cyclist this holiday season.
Apple Arcade is expanding its gaming catalog for the holiday season with 15 new titles, including Skate City: New York, Talking Tom Blast Park, and FINAL FANTASY IV (3D REMAKE)+. The service, available on various Apple devices, offers ad-free gaming experiences without in-app purchases. New games will be released monthly, with some titles exclusive to Apple Vision Pro. This expansion aims to provide fun gaming experiences for solo players and families alike.
Saks Fifth Avenue has decided to cancel its annual holiday light show, a popular event in New York City, due to unspecified reasons. The decision marks a significant change in the retailer's holiday season activities, which typically draw large crowds to its flagship store.
Toothless, the dragon from "How To Train Your Dragon," has become the center of a viral meme where he dances to a song from Pokémon Black and White. The animation by Cas van de Pol has sparked a trend on social media platforms like TikTok, where users add humorous text to the clip to depict various celebratory or goofy life moments. The meme has gained particular traction during the holiday season, with many jokes related to end-of-year festivities.
"Wonka," starring Timothée Chalamet, outperformed "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" at the box office during the final 2023 matchup, signaling a tough year for superhero films. Despite a lackluster holiday season without a billion-dollar blockbuster, the industry still saw domestic grosses surpass $9 billion, the highest since the pandemic began. Other notable films included "Migration," "The Color Purple," and "The Boys in the Boat," each contributing to the year's box office totals.
