As American Girl turns 40, Mattel grapples with bringing dolls into a new era

The original six American Girl historical characters — Kirsten Larson, Samantha Parkington, Molly McIntire, Felicity Merriman, Addy Walker and Josefina Montoya — are displayed at the brand’s flagship store, Luke Fountain The flagship American Girl Place at Rockefeller Center in New York City feels frozen in time. The air smells faintly of vanilla. Young girls … Read more

Tariffs hit boots, bags and more as leather prices jump — and relief could be years away

Different types of leather are seen at the Rio of Mercedes cowboy boot factory, on July 31, 2025, in Mercedes, Texas. Ronaldo Schemidt | AFP | Getty Images Bootmaker Twisted X — known for its Western footwear — was thrown into chaos overnight when President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on imports in April. The … Read more

How Black Friday became a retail letdown: ‘To sustain the ride, they started to dilute it’

Black Friday early morning shoppers rush in as the doors are opened at a Walmart store in Fairfax, Virginia, Nov. 28, 2008. Gerald Martineau | The Washington Post | Getty Images Black Friday has long been defined by massive crowds, rock-bottom prices and rabid consumers willing to bite, scratch and claw their way to the … Read more