Happy Sunday. Here’s what happened in retail this weekend, and what it sets up for the week ahead.
📈 Markets & The Fed
Wall Street closed out the week with a relief rally on Friday, snapping a four session losing streak. The Dow jumped roughly 1% to 52,573, the S&P 500 rose 0.86% to 7,657, and the Nasdaq gained just under 1%. Cooler than feared August inflation data (headline CPI at 0.4%, core at 0.3%) calmed nerves ahead of the Fed’s two day meeting this week.
The big number to watch: the FOMC rate decision lands Wednesday, with markets now pricing in a high probability of a hike. August retail sales data also drops Wednesday, a read investors and retailers alike will be parsing for signs of consumer strength heading into the holidays.
💰 Earnings & Turnarounds
Macy’s posted its fifth straight quarter of comparable sales growth on Thursday, up 2.7% and well ahead of the roughly 1% Wall Street expected. Full year guidance moved higher too, though a meaningful chunk of the earnings beat came from tariff refunds rather than core retail performance. Bloomingdale’s was the standout, up more than 11% in comps.
Chewy also had a strong week, with Autoship subscription sales up more than 9%.
Destination XL laid out a turnaround plan after a soft quarter, and confirmed its planned merger with FullBeauty is officially off.
