5 of the biggest retail horror stories of 2026

From Nike’s turnaround setbacks to Chip Wilson’s battle with Lululemon, the spookiest sights weren’t found on retailers’ shelves this year. The spooky season is in full swing, but the industry is proving to be even scarier than those larger-than-life skeletons . From companies crawling their way out of decline to frighteningly sky-high prices, it hasn’t taken much to rattle retail. With the industry's biggest quarter ramping up, it's more important than ever to deliver solid experiences for consumers, especially in a year where they're more selective in where they allocate their budgets.