The Remarkable Retail podcast turns six. Steve Dennis opens with the macro picture: inflation remains stubborn, driven largely by fuel. U.S. diesel just hit an all-time high, regular gas is up 36% year over year, and retailers absorbing higher freight costs say they're nearing their breaking point. Michael LeBlanc adds that diesel is almost perfectly correlated with food inflation, and that Canadian retailers expect fuel surcharges to persist into early 2027.

The hosts review the first holiday forecasts. Deloitte projects 4 to 4.8% growth for November through January, with e-commerce up about 8%; Bain sees 4.5% growth and roughly 9% online over November and December. Steve wonders whether high fuel costs could push more shoppers online.

At Macy's Inc., Bloomingdale's posted its highest comp ever at 11.3%, while the Macy's nameplate managed just over 1%, in line with Dillard's. Coresight's mid-year data shows store closings down 44% against an unusually heavy prior year, openings at their lowest since 2020, and a widening gap between scarce A-quality space and struggling B, C and D properties. Toys R Us is betting big, planning 120 more small-format U.S. stores before the holidays, though Michael notes the concept stumbled in Canada.

The centerpiece: Steve's Pardon the Disruption post arguing that "the race to the doorstep is escalating." With Amazon rolling out sub-same-day delivery in as little as 30 minutes and holding roughly 40% of e-commerce, most retailers can at best match the offering through store fulfillment and gig partners like Instacart and DoorDash, at far worse economics. The smarter play: reach delivery parity where it matters and compete on reasons beyond ultra-convenience. Both hosts agree traditional grocers sit squarely in the bullseye as Amazon moves from the everything store to the everyday store.

In earning news Inditex posted a 9% August sales gain, Zara plans 20 new U.S. stores, and sister brand Bershka is expanding fast from Miami to New York, India and Brazil. Kroger's sales were flat and guidance was cut, with retail media (up 24%) the lone bright spot.

On the radar screen: Target Beauty Studio replaces Ulta shops in about 600 Target stores, and Michael shares insights from his quarterly retailer conversations on AI's ROI, including a McKinsey finding that change-management costs run roughly three times the technology itself, plus the shock of seat-based bills and exhausted token budgets.

Registration is open for a special webinar featuring Steve in conversation with Placer AI's Head of Analytical Research RJ Hottovy. From changing shopping patterns to emerging market opportunities, shifting consumer demand continues to reshape the industry. So don't miss this data-driven session unpacking the most important trends defining today’s marketplace and the strategies leading brands are using to win retail's future. It's all brought to you by Placer.AI and It all happens on Tuesday September 29 at 1pm ET..

Register here today:

https://www.placer.ai/discover-events/discover-shifting-consumer-demand

About Us

Steve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling author of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.

Michael LeBlanc is a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail, The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. He has been recognized by the NRF as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2026 and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.

The Race to the Doorstep Escalates, Plus Bloomingdale's Record Comp & Diesel Drama

Remarkable Retail Podcast

The Race to the Doorstep Escalates, Plus Bloomingdale's Record Comp & Diesel Drama