Retail Beat

updates for retailers + key business partners

November 2, 2026

Let’s rally the retail vote this Tuesday! No matter who you support, your vote helps shape the future for Minnesota’s retailers, consumers and communities. Make your voice count—shape today, shape tomorrow.

Holiday Shoppers Seek Savings Without Giving Up Traditions

Holiday shoppers are making their budgets work harder this season. A National Retail Federation survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics finds 56% say economic conditions will influence their holiday spending; among that group, 43% expect to seek sales more often, 31% will increase online price comparisons and 29% anticipate greater coupon use.

Shopping early is one way consumers are managing costs. Forty-three percent planned to start before November, with half of those early shoppers looking to spread purchases across their budgets. Still, 64% say they are likely to save most of their shopping for Thanksgiving weekend.

Gift cards lead holiday wish lists at 47%, followed by clothing at 44%. Online shopping remains popular, alongside grocery, discount and department stores.

For Minnesota retailers, the findings suggest an opportunity to help customers celebrate within their means through clear promotions, useful gift ideas and an easy shopping experience.

Read the full NRF release.

Consumer Confidence Improves, but Shoppers Remain Careful

Consumer confidence rebounded in October, offering an encouraging signal as retailers enter the holiday season. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index rose 7.5 points to 91.7, up from a revised 84.2 in September.

Consumers reported better assessments of current business and labor market conditions, along with improved expectations for the months ahead. However, the organization cautioned that confidence remains on a longer-term downward trend.

Household budgets also remain under pressure. Consumers continued to express concern about costs and reported lower planned spending on services and durable goods over the next six months.

For Minnesota retailers, the national findings suggest cautious optimism as holiday shopping accelerates. Clear value, helpful service and options across price points can help customers feel confident about their purchases while managing their budgets.

Read the Conference Board report.

This Friday: What Retailers Need to Know About Minnesota's Packaging EPR Program

Minnesota's new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) packaging program is moving forward, and retailers have important responsibilities to understand as implementation continues.

Join Minnesota Retailers and Circular Action Alliance (CAA) on Friday, November 6, at 11:00 a.m. for a free webinar focused on what the law means for retail businesses, key implementation dates, and steps retailers should be taking to prepare.

Kris Coperine, Minnesota program manager for Circular Action Alliance, will provide a timely program update and practical guidance for retailers. CAA serves as Minnesota's producer responsibility organization and is helping implement the state's new packaging requirements.

The webinar will also include time for questions and answers, giving participants an opportunity to better understand how the program applies to their businesses.

Webinar Details

Date: Friday, November 6, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. Central
Location: Zoom
Cost: Free; members and non-members welcome

Nicollet Avenue Reopening Offers a New Connection for Minneapolis Businesses

A long-awaited connection in south Minneapolis could reopen just before Thanksgiving. City officials have identified November 24 as the target date for reopening Nicollet Avenue at Lake Street through the former Kmart site, according to FOX 9.

The schedule remains dependent on weather and completion of final work. Officials say a delay approaching Thanksgiving could push the reopening into the following week.

The street connection is part of the broader New Nicollet project. Planning for redevelopment of the surrounding property continues, with housing and public spaces among the goals discussed for the area.

For nearby retailers, reconnecting the corridor offers the prospect of easier access and renewed connections between neighborhoods and business districts. The reopening will be a milestone, while the broader redevelopment remains a longer-term effort.

FTC Seeks Information on Pricing Practices

The Federal Trade Commission has asked nine companies across airlines, ride-sharing, delivery services and retail to provide information about how they use data relating to prices and compensation. The inquiry will examine whether prices vary among individual consumers based on personal information.

The information requests are part of an FTC study and do not establish that the companies have violated the law. The agency is also seeking details about whether personal data influences pay offered to gig workers.

For Minnesota retailers, the inquiry adds to the national conversation about consumer data and personalized offers. As policymakers consider these issues, protecting consumers’ access to savings through discounts, coupons and loyalty rewards remains essential.

Read the FTC announcement.

Tribal Retailers Call for Credit Card Swipe Fee Reform

Tribally owned convenience stores are urging Congress to pass the Credit Card Competition Act, saying lower credit card swipe fees would help preserve resources for essential services and community investment.

In a letter to congressional leaders, the Tribal Convenience Store Association, which represents stores owned by 69 tribes across 13 states, said retail earnings support services including law enforcement, emergency response, roads and utilities. Association Chairman Isaiah Coley described swipe fee reform as “an issue of economic sovereignty and self-determination.”

The legislation would require credit card issuers with at least $100 billion in assets to enable an additional, unaffiliated processing network, giving merchants more routing choices. Supporters, including the Merchants Payments Coalition, say greater competition would reduce payment costs.

The tribal retailers’ message highlights the broader community stakes of operating costs: dollars spent processing payments are dollars unavailable to reinvest in businesses and the people they serve.

Golden Valley To Say Goodbye to a Hardware Store With 71 Years of History

Kuipers Ace Hardware is preparing to close after 71 years serving Golden Valley, marking the end of a long chapter for a familiar neighborhood retailer.

Bring Me The News reports that a store-closing sale began at the family-owned business in Golden Valley Shopping Center off Olson Memorial Highway. The store opened in the mid-1950s and built lasting relationships with customers and employees. Residents responding to the news have shared memories of shopping there for decades. The report did not identify a final closing date.

The news is a reminder that retail is a tough business, and even longstanding community institutions depend on continued customer support. Every purchase helps sustain the stores, jobs and personal connections that make our neighborhoods special.

Minnesota Retailers recognizes Kuipers’ decades of service and the employees who helped make it a community institution.