Kentucky Retail Federation

09/04/2026

Most consumers plan to take advantage of Labor Day weekend sales – but not for big ticket items. New survey data from coupon platform RetailMeNot reveals that while nearly three-quarters (73%) of consumers plan to show up to Labor Day sales, a large chunk of them (42%) are prioritizing groceries and essentials. Clothing and footwear (26%), seasonal clearance summer items (26%) and health and wellness products (21%) are also among the categories consumers plan to shop.

News Briefs Most recent Go to date 8/19/2026Survey: Labor Day sale shoppers to prioritize essentialsMost consumers plan to take advantage of Labor Day weekend sales – but not for big ticket items.New survey data from coupon platform RetailMeNot reveals that while nearly three-quarters (73%) of c...

09/01/2026

Consumers fear their purchasing power is eroding among high prices. Consumer sentiment dropped 6.3% month over month in August amid continued worries that inflation will remain elevated for the foreseeable future, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. The August reading is down 11.2% year over year.

Consumers fear their purchasing power is eroding among high prices.

08/28/2026

Nearly every retailer will experience severe weather at some point.
Hurricanes and tornadoes often receive the most attention, but severe thunderstorms can be just as disruptive. While no one can predict when the next storm will occur, the condition of a building and the level of preparation are well within a retailer's control.

Nearly every retailer will experience severe weather at some point.

08/27/2026

The second part of this Kentucky Newsmakers features KRF's Steve McClain discussing retail issues.

On the latest edition of Kentucky Newsmakers, WKYT’s Bill Bryant speaks with Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers and Kentucky Retail Federation Director of Communicans and Public Affairs Steve McClain.

08/20/2026

Glad to be featured on WCHS TV story on Back to School Shopping.

08/18/2026

“Consumers are still spending, but they are increasingly doing so through prioritization rather than expansion; driven by purpose rather than promotions,” said Kiara Barrett, global head of thought leadership at Circana. “Promotional activity remains important, but broad discounts alone are generating less incremental demand.”

Shoppers are thinking beyond promotions when it comes to recent purchases.

08/13/2026

Retailers brought in goods ahead of new tariffs that went into effect last month, leading to an early peak season for import cargo.

Retailers brought in goods ahead of new tariffs that went into effect last month, leading to an early peak season for import cargo.

08/12/2026

Back to school shopping started earlier this year.

08/07/2026

This year’s peak shipping season is coming to an end, with import volume at the nation’s major container ports expected to remain high this month before starting to decline for the remainder of 2026, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

This year’s peak shipping season is coming to an end, with import volume at the nation’s major container ports expected to remain high this month before starting to decline for the remainder of 2026, according to the latest Global Port Tracker report from NRF and Hackett Associates.

08/06/2026

Back-to-school shoppers will prioritize essentials over apparel.
Clothing buys will be spread out over the school year, while sporting goods are increasingly considered essential, according to two reports.

Clothing buys will be spread out over the school year, while sporting goods are increasingly considered essential, according to two reports.