The year 2023 was one of retail news and consumer behavior as well as new trends and technologies.

Here's a look at the top news in 2023.

Target launches pre-Black Friday deals

Target is running four weeks of pre-Black Friday deals that kicked off Oct. 29 and run through Thanksgiving weekend. The weekly deals will be available each Sunday through Saturday and are available in store and online via Target.com or the Target app.

JCPenney launching Black Friday deals early

JCPenney's holiday marketing strategy is all about making the holiday count and enjoying every moment. The retailer's Black Friday deals will match last year's prices, according to a press release, and Black Friday deals will start on Nov. 23 and extend three days. On Nov. 24 stores will open at 5 a.m.

Ulta Beauty piloting smart vending machines in 10 U.S. stores

Ulta Beauty is testing smart vending machines within 10 stores across the U.S. via a partnership with SOS. The machines are aimed at elevating in-store sampling and serving as host to the brand's first-ever digital in-store advertising program. The pilot goals are to deepen customer engagement and drive growth, according to a press release.

Young consumers hitting TikTok for holiday shopping

More than a third of consumers, 36%, plan to use TikTok for holiday shopping this year. The news, from an ESW study, comes just over a month after TikTok launched a shop in the U.S. featuring products from creators and brands on the platform. The study also revealed 52% of shoppers expect to spend more this holiday season and 40% plan to shop more online.

TikTok will drive Black Friday sales

Almost one third of Gen Z consumers will be using social media channel TikTok to purchase on Black Friday with spending set to increase by 20% this holiday season. That's according to a Sweep.io study that also predicts an estimated $6 billion will be spent by American consumers on Black Friday and that 89% of Americans will make Black Friday purchases.

South Carolina vehicle services kiosks heading to supermarkets

South Carolina motorists will be able to renew vehicle registrations and perform other functions at self-serve kiosks inside grocery stores, according to a press release. The SCDMV Express kiosks are scheduled to launch in November at three locations across South Carolina, with more sites to be added in the future to support customer demand.

The Atlantic: Retail self-checkout a failure

Amanda Mull, a staff writer at The Atlantic, has authored a piece claiming retail self checkout has largely been a failure. In an article titled "Self-Checkoout Is a Failed Experiment," Mull claims the self checkout experience for shoppers does not usually save time and many retailers are adding more employees to handle checkout. Self-checkout kiosks have also caused more theft, forcing retailers to add more employees to the checkout areas, the article noted.

Shoppers embracing self-serve, DIY in retail stores

Consumers are embracing self-serve habits and increasingly using do-it-yourself technology in stores and that in turn is letting store associates dedicate more time to helping shoppers. Those are top findings from Zebra Technologies Corp.'s 15th annual Global Shopper Study which also indicated consumers are returning to shop in physical retail locations in similar numbers prior to the pandemic.

Babies R Us returning to US

WHP Global, in partnership with the American Dream entertainment and mall destination in New Jersey, will launch a flagship Babies R Us store this summer. The news marks the return of the children's clothing and toy store to the U.S., according to a press release.

Amazon to 'go big' on physical grocery business

Amazon may be laying off nearly 20,000 employees but it has big plans to grow its physical grocery store strategy. CEO Andy Jassy said Amazon plans to "go big," according to a Financial Times report cited in an Endgadget article. Jassy said Amazon has "a format" it plans to go big on and will be "doubling down on It," according to the Financial Times.

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