October brought sweeping layoffs and structural resets across retail’s biggest players as companies recalibrated for profitability in a cooling economy. Yet amid the cost-cutting, green shoots emerged, from JC Penney’s earnings lift to Walmart’s AI innovation, signaling an industry learning to balance discipline with evolution.
Amazon is set to cut 10% of its corporate workforce — a move that will eliminate roughly 30,000 positions — marking one of the largest corporate restructurings in its history. The company’s leadership framed the cuts as part of a broader effort to streamline operations and refocus on profitability as e-commerce growth normalizes post-pandemic.
Target also announced a sharp reduction to its corporate headcount, with plans to cut 1,000 jobs and close 800 open requisitions in an effort to reduce expenses. The retailer continues to face margin pressure as discretionary spending remains weak and markdowns weigh on profitability.
While many in the sector are tightening belts, a few bright spots emerged. JC Penney reported improved earnings in Q2 — a modest but encouraging sign that its long-term turnaround strategy is gaining traction. Similarly, Levi’s posted strong Q3 results across categories, benefiting from disciplined inventory management and sustained consumer demand for its core denim lines.
In contrast, Nike’s latest quarterly filing showed declining profits even as revenue grew. The company highlighted progress in wholesale and running segments but acknowledged significant work remains to restore margins and growth momentum.
Lululemon joined the chorus of retailers flagging tariff-related headwinds, citing the elimination of the de minimis exception and other trade measures as a key factor behind an anticipated $240 million hit to profits this year.
Elsewhere, Walmart’s new partnership with Open AI may signal the start of a transformative shift in how consumers shop online — blending generative AI with retail personalization at scale.
On the macro front, retail sales appeared to rise in September, though analysts suggest the lift was likely driven by higher prices rather than increased unit sales — another reminder of inflation’s lingering grip on consumer behavior.
And in a symbolic blow to urban retail, The Wall Street Journal reported on the demise of the once-bustling San Francisco Centre mall — a cautionary tale of shifting shopping patterns, declining foot traffic, and the challenges brick-and-mortar spaces face in the digital age.