The Latest
-
"Roots store in Yorkdale Mall" by Roots Corp. is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
ColumnThe Weekly Closeout: Roots CEO exits, the FTC zeroes in on price
The chief executive stepped down following the outdoor retailer’s go-private deal. Meanwhile, the agency has been focused on how retailers set prices.
-
Retrieved from iStock.
Sponsored by Stratix Corp.How can associates power personalization in retail?
Empower retail associates with mobile technology to deliver personalized, seamless customer experiences.
-
Amazon CEO says retail business is being slept on
Andy Jassy spoke in depth about AWS and AI during a Q3 earnings call, but reiterated the importance of the company’s store progress.
-
Walmart plans $400M Texas distribution center
The retailer expects to break ground on the more than 744,000-square-foot facility in Cibolo this February.
-
Louis Vuitton exec to lead Bergdorf Goodman
It’s full circle for Lanessa Elrod, who had previous stints at all three Exemplar Luxury Group banners — Bergdorf, Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.
Updated Oct. 30, 2026 -
Victoria’s Secret’s Pink leans into beauty with ‘Mini Bar’ collection
The Pink Mini Bar features collaborations with Vacation, Mario Badescu and Fazit and will have a dedicated section featuring the products in stores.
-
What Nike’s Jordan pullback means for Foot Locker
With Jordan accounting for roughly 25% of Foot Locker’s revenue, the athletics retailer will have some gaps to fill next year.
-
FTC orders Target, Walmart to provide details in personalized pricing inquiry
The agency sent the order to nine companies to examine how personal data is being used, even through loyalty programs, to potentially alter price tags.
-
Heydude wants to sell more in North America, but is unlikely to open new stores
The brand returned to growth in Q3 compared to its weak results last year, thanks largely to wholesale revenue from retail partners.
-
DoorDash to buy Instacart for $17B
The deal marks the consolidation of two major players in the retail delivery industry.
-
Podcast
The Backroom: Dynamic pricing and the anxious consumer
With the holidays approaching, consumers are zeroed in on price now more than ever — and Walmart is taking the heat.
-
Consumer confidence edges up on decline in gas prices: Conference Board
“The mood among consumers remains pretty bleak,” Pantheon Macroeconomics Chief U.S. Economist Samuel Tombs said.
-
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.
-
Fanatics revamps outfit curation tool with OpenAI
A new version of the retailer’s Shop the Look tool generated 10% higher engagement in a pilot.
-
Gap Inc. launches AI hiring tool in time for the holidays
The retailer expects around 200,000 seasonal employment applications. Its new AI platform aims to reduce the administrative tasks associated with hiring.
-
Walmart’s chief marketer breaks down retailer’s Muppet-fueled holiday campaign
For a unified push during the holidays, the retailer is recreating the world of “The Muppet Christmas Carol” and extending its “Who Knew?” brand platform.
-
Could this running brand rescue Vans owner VF Corp?
The Altra footwear brand’s revenue grew 40% in Q2 and is on pace to offset ongoing declines at the company’s faltering skater brand.
-
Most consumers aren’t using AI for product discovery, yet
Retailers should consider the quality of their metadata to prepare for a predicted upswing in AI usage, new research finds.
-
These 3 department stores need a good holiday
Kohl’s, J.C. Penney and — once again— Saks Fifth Avenue have a lot riding on this year’s shopping season.
-
Hasbro names third Wizards of the Coast president in under 5 years
Dan Ayoub, who now leads Wizards and Hasbro Digital Games, has been playing D&D with the same group of friends since he was 10 years old.
-
Dollar General sued by FTC over ‘deceptive pricing practices’
The agency, along with 20 states, allege that customers are charged more at the register than prices displayed on tags and in ads.
Updated Oct. 27, 2026 -
Genre bookstores are having a moment — especially in Chicago
From romance to horror, genre readers are done settling for just a few shelves. Now they are coming for the entire store.
-
Aritzia banks on store openings, product expansions to double revenue in 5 years
The company plans to open as many as 14 U.S. stores a year and expand into bags, beauty and shoes on its path to becoming “world famous.”
-
Retrieved from Sephora on October 27, 2026
Sephora casts Seth Rogen for holiday ads targeted at gift-givers
“The Studio” star plays a clueless shopper in a campaign aimed at consumers who aren’t in-the-know about beauty but are seeking thoughtful presents.
-
Column
The Weekly Closeout: Torrid CFO exits and Belk secures financing
Paula Dempsey will leave the apparel retailer next month. The department store, meanwhile, will use some of its new funds for seasonal inventory.
-
Etsy CEO addresses friction of AI vs. human creativity
The e-commerce marketplace saw active buyers in Q3 grow for the first time in two years and is utilizing AI to improve product recommendations.