How James Avery Jewelry won back legacy customers

The launch of the “Designs From Our Archives” collection highlighted artisans — and had customers lining up outside of stores. 

Target to redesign SoHo store with style focus

The mass retailer will phase in an updated store layout starting this fall, shifting the merchandise assortment from essentials to apparel and beauty. 

Depop debuts Outfits feature for style inspiration

The resale platform aims to make itself a daily destination with a shoppable, in-app collage tool. 

Etsy adds new AI-driven seller features

The company is rolling out a suite of optional tools to help merchants update listings and communicate with buyers faster. 

Carter’s adopts poison pill after hedge fund amasses nearly 17% of shares

The children’s apparel retailer moved to avert a hostile takeover after an investment firm disclosed its stock purchase to federal regulators.

The Weekly Closeout: Saks Fifth Avenue merchant exits, RH sees Q2 gains despite tariffs

After two decades at the department store, Will Cooper is leaving, while the home goods retailer saw net income improve nearly 80% in the second quarter.

Microsoft, Curated for You collaborate on AI-based fashion discovery

Microsoft Copilot can now respond to conversational queries with context-aware, shoppable curations. Retailers like Rent the Runway and Steve Madden are already on board. 

Victoria’s Secret launches home fragrance

The collection is releasing just in time for the holiday season, as the retailer chases a growing market segment. 

Retail’s seasonal hiring could hit lowest point since 2009

Challenger, Gray & Christmas predicts that retailers will bring on fewer than 500,000 employees in Q4, a low last seen following the 2008 financial crisis.

Halloween spending to hit record $13.1B

While the majority of consumers anticipate price increases this season due to tariffs, 73% still plan to participate, according to the National Retail Federation.

Sephora cozies up to beauty creators with new affiliate program

My Sephora Storefront allows U.S. influencers to build shoppable digital storefronts and arrives as sales from affiliate marketing continue to grow.

Walmart, Target bring back October deals events

To entice consumers to shop early, the mass merchants join Amazon and others in kicking off the holiday season with sales events next month.

Forever 21 may open stores in the US, after all

Authentic Brands Group, which controls the fast-fashion brand’s IP, said it’s close to a deal. The brand management firm on Wednesday had announced e-commerce and wholesale partnerships.

J.C. Penney furthers ‘It’s from where?’ campaign with exclusive Rebecca Minkoff tie-up

The affordable line from the designer, like the department store’s Bob Mackie collection, is part of an effort to appeal to budget-minded fashionistas.

Office Depot owner to go private for $1B

The ODP Corporation has agreed to be bought by an affiliate of private equity group Atlas Holdings for $28 per share in cash.

Walmart boosts search accuracy across languages with better translations

An AI agent flags search terms, which are sent to a team of linguists who find the right meaning and add it to the company’s translation platform.

How Target is rethinking search for generative AI

While most shoppers are still using one or two keywords for a traditional online search, longer, more complex queries are on the rise.

NikeSkims, the next big play for women activewear shoppers, launches Friday

Featuring seven collections, the brand will offer styles designed for everyday wear, strength training and other pursuits.

Kohl’s expands fall sales event to 4 days

The department store is offering deals on thousands of products across apparel, beauty and more online and in stores.

Amazon debuts AI ‘creative partner’ to aid with campaign development

Now in beta, the chat feature draws on Amazon’s retail insights to assist with everything from research to pumping out final creative assets like video.

AI shopping tools are evolving, but are they ready for the holidays?

Most consumers are open to generative AI-powered guidance, but only 3% will start their shopping journey with a ChatGPT-type search, according to Coveo.

Best Buy builds retail media chops with in-store takeovers, sports deals

The retailer touted the strength of its advertising services for brand partners during its inaugural Best Buy Ads showcase.

Retailers battle the rising costs of medical, liability claims

Second quarter earnings results across the industry showed that heightened claims costs are impacting even the strongest performers.

Claire’s acquisition closes with plans for smaller store footprint

Ames Watson wants to keep the piercing retailer's mall locations relevant through upgraded merchandising, piercing services and store concepts.

Macy’s kicks off ‘100 Days to Christmas’ with new merchandise, curated gift ideas

The department store, which said its holiday assortment features more than 40% newness, will also expand its experiential Holiday Square concept.