Page 2

Mastercard pilot turns smartphones into a point-of-sale device

Expansion into the contactless tech space has accelerated due to the pandemic and is expected to continue. 

A timeline of how the pandemic hit retail

Over the past year, Retail Dive tracked store closures and openings, as well as furloughs, layoffs, hirings and bankruptcies. Here's the story of 2020 in numbers.

Christopher & Banks files for bankruptcy, could close all stores

The women's apparel seller is among the victims of the pandemic, which dragged down demand among its core customers.

'There are no environmentally friendly companies': The pursuit of corporate social responsibility

Home Depot and Ulta executives discuss what retailers should consider in forming corporate social responsibility plans, and how to succeed.

Hudson to introduce Amazon's Just Walk Out tech in airport stores

The tech, which doesn't require shoppers to download an app, will first appear at Dallas Love Field Airport. Additional rollouts are planned for later this year. 

Deep Dive

9 retail trends to watch in 2021

The pandemic will continue to reshape the industry and accelerate trends from consumer preferences to industry norms and structures in the year ahead. 

Nordstrom tops list of most connected retailers: survey

A report from CI&T ranked 10 leading retailers based on factors like search, cart, fulfillment and returns.

Ads on Facebook may not be that important for brands after all, Forrester data shows

An analyst with the research firm studied what happened when companies pulled their advertising from the social platform during a boycott last year. 

Bed Bath & Beyond taps Target, Macy's vets to build out its marketing team

Jim Reath will serve as senior vice president of marketing, while Kristi Argyilan will act as senior vice president of brand innovation.

Walmart to launch fintech startup with partner Ribbit Capital

The startup will be majority-owned by the retailer. Ribbit Capital's past investments include Affirm, Credit Karma and Robinhood.

Walmart to test refrigerated boxes that store grocery orders outside homes

The secure, internet-connected units can hold items at various temperatures and use ultraviolet light to kill viruses, mold and mildew.

Bed Bath & Beyond's COO says the company is pivoting to a 'common-sense' supply chain model

The supply chain overhaul, an expected $250 million investment, is part of what will bring the retailer back to sustainable growth, according to executives.

Lululemon taps Nike veteran as head merchant

Blanca Gonzalez will lead global merchandising for men's and women's, and focus on growing the company into a "leader in technical apparel."

UPS, Verizon, Skyward partner on 5G drone delivery in Florida

Many details on the partnership have yet to be disclosed, but the companies say 5G will be important to scaling delivery fleets.

The new retailer-landlord relationship

The pandemic has given many stores a new lease on life.

GameStop adds former Chewy execs to board as digital holiday sales balloon by 309%

The founder of the pet products e-tailer has taken an activist stake in GameStop and called on it to transform — immediately.

Dollar Shave Club names new CEO after founder steps down

Former Sur La Table CEO Jason Goldberger will replace Michael Dubin in the top spot. Dubin will remain on as a special adviser and board member.

Column

Retail Therapy: 6 retail moments we're happy to have left in 2020

While the pandemic disrupted nearly every aspect of our lives, there was one thing we all could count on: brands cashing in on absurdity.

Staples plans $2.1B takeover of Office Depot

Office Depot's board is looking into the offer, keeping in mind that the rivals' past two attempts to merge were thwarted by antitrust concerns. 

UPDATED: Jan. 12, 2021 at 9:20 a.m.

Retailers swiftly condemn riot that delayed Biden election certification

Some business groups blamed the president himself for inciting the pro-Trump mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.

Art Van successor Loves Furniture files for bankruptcy

A real estate veteran created a new retailer to fill the void left by the furniture specialist. Things did not go as planned. 

LVMH shakes up Tiffany ranks as the ink dries on $15.8B deal

Louis Vuitton executive Anthony Ledru has replaced Alessandro Bogliolo as CEO, while Rimowa CEO Alexandre Arnault joins the American jeweler.

It's a done deal

Several retail mergers, acquisitions and partnerships closed at year's end and into the new year. 

UPDATED: Jan. 5, 2021 at 10:18 a.m.

Amazon, Walmart dominate shopping app downloads in 2020: report

Target, eBay and Wayfair also made the top 10 list as consumers increasingly rely on mobile as a shopping channel, per Apptopia. 

Christopher & Banks inches closer to the brink as it defaults on multiple obligations

Financial distress deepens at the apparel seller as it misses payments on the lease of its headquarters and other financial commitments.