Reasons to Read

Uncover how retailers are balancing spring inventory builds, tariff uncertainty and margin discipline in 1Q26.

Read this report to discover answers to these and other questions:

• Why did inventory values rise for 34 of 48 tracked retailers while overall inventory turnover was broadly flat year over year?
• How are retailers such as Target, Walmart, BJ’s Wholesale Club and Costco using inventory discipline to support value, convenience and omnichannel demand?
• Which sectors delivered the strongest turnover productivity in 1Q26, and where did food and grocery, home improvement and discretionary retailers face pressure?
• How are tariffs, energy-cost risk and a K-shaped consumer economy shaping inventory planning, receipt timing and margin protection?
• How are retailers using AI-enabled forecasting, real-time visibility and supply-chain execution to manage availability without overbuying?

Companies mentioned in this report include: Abercrombie & Fitch, Albertsons Companies, American Eagle Outfitters, Apple, Aritzia, Bath & Body Works, Best Buy, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Burlington Stores, Capri Holdings, Casey’s General Stores, Costco, CVS Health, Deckers Outdoor, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Dillard’s, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Fast Retailing, Five Below, Floor & Decor, Gap, H&M, Home Depot, Kohl’s, Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize, Kroger, Lowe’s, lululemon, Macy’s, Murphy USA, NIKE, Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, RH, Ross Stores, Sherwin-Williams, Sprouts Farmers Market, Tapestry, Target, The Estee Lauder Companies, TJX Companies, Tractor Supply, Ulta Beauty, Under Armour, Urban Outfitters, Walmart, Wayfair, Williams-Sonoma and more.

Data in this report include: US retail sales growth by month; retail traffic; inventory turnover ratios by retailer and sector; year-over-year changes in inventory values; and commentary on strategic inventory actions across leading retailers.