Insights from Glossy's holiday research report — plus, Grace Wales Bonner joins Hermés
The Glossy Podcast · with Jill Manoff and Li Lu · October 24, 2025 · 45 min
Summary
This episode reveals a cautious outlook for the upcoming holiday retail season, with many brands and marketers expecting flat to minimal revenue growth. It explores how tariffs, discounting strategies, and the evolving roles of digital marketplaces and traditional department stores will impact performance. Key insights are drawn from Glossy's annual holiday research report, offering actionable perspectives for ecommerce operators preparing for a challenging but strategic holiday period.
Key takeaways
Marketers are bracing for a conservative holiday season, with 56% expecting less than 10% revenue growth, and 27% anticipating no change at all. Ecommerce operators should set realistic targets and optimize strategies for flat growth.
Tariffs are projected to influence holiday pricing, necessitating careful cost analysis and potential adjustments to maintain margins.
Discounting will be a significant strategy; brands must plan promotions effectively to clear inventory without eroding brand value.
Digital marketplaces like Amazon continue to gain influence, while traditional department stores like Macy's are adapting; a diversified channel strategy is crucial for holiday success.
The appointment of Grace Wales Bonner at Hermès highlights the growing emphasis on diversity in leadership within luxury brands, signaling a potential shift in brand perception and market engagement.
Dsquared2's restructuring and Saks Fifth Avenue's struggles underscore the ongoing volatility in the retail sector, emphasizing the need for agile business models and strong financial health.
On the Glossy Podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and international reporter Zofia Zwieglinska break down some of the biggest fashion news of the week. This week, we discuss Grace Wales Bonner taking over as the creative director of menswear at Hermés. It’s a job that Wales Bonner has previously referred to as a dream job, and it makes her the first black woman to lead a major European luxury brand. We also discuss Dsquared2's restructuring and layoffs amid its legal battle with licensing company Staff International. And we break down Saks Fifth Avenue’s recent earnings report, which shows the retailer continuing to struggle after its billion-dollar merger with Neiman Marcus. Later in the episode, Zofia is joined by our editor-in-chief, Jill Manoff, and Glossy’s research director, Li Lu, to discuss holiday retail strategies. The conversation draws from our annual Glossy+ Holiday Research Report, released earlier this month. One of the main takeaways from the report: Neither marketers nor brands have high hopes for this holiday season. “I would say a lot of marketers have very conservative expectations for holiday revenue,” Li Lu said. “About 56% of them said they don't expect increases to be more than 10%. Within that 56%, 27% of them just said, flat out, that they don't expect any change. So it's very conservative this year for the most part.” The discussion also covers price increases for the holiday season due to tariffs, discounting strategies heading into the holidays, and the role of digital marketplaces like Amazon and traditional department stores like Macy’s this holiday shopping season.
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Marketers are bracing for a conservative holiday season, with 56% expecting less than 10% revenue growth, and 27% anticipating no change at all. Ecommerce operators should set realistic targets and optimize strategies for flat growth.
What does this episode say about supply chain & operations?
Tariffs are projected to influence holiday pricing, necessitating careful cost analysis and potential adjustments to maintain margins.
What does this episode say about brand & content?
Discounting will be a significant strategy; brands must plan promotions effectively to clear inventory without eroding brand value.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
Digital marketplaces like Amazon continue to gain influence, while traditional department stores like Macy's are adapting; a diversified channel strategy is crucial for holiday success.
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
The appointment of Grace Wales Bonner at Hermès highlights the growing emphasis on diversity in leadership within luxury brands, signaling a potential shift in brand perception and market engagement.
