The Weekly Closeout: Rhode’s road to growth and department store sales wobble

The Hailey Bieber-founded beauty brand could soon reach $500 million, while the department store sector fell in June.

Saks Global struggles continue as Q1 sales, profit decline

The company beat its own expectations and says it’s making progress, though analysts warn it’s losing customers to Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom.

Nordstrom names Dollar General exec Kelly Dilts CFO

The appointment comes shortly after the department store went private through a deal with the Nordstrom family and El Puerto de Liverpool.

Cargo theft moves into focus as Congress mulls how to fight organized retail crime

The problem is growing, though the full impact is unclear, according to speakers at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday.

Nike’s VP of AI is leaving

Jason Loveland is exiting just weeks after the activewear giant’s vice president of virtual studios announced his departure.

Sur La Table taps Gap Inc. veteran as president

Dan Goldman led brand strategy across the Banana Republic and Athleta banners, as well as corporate strategy and development at the broader company.

Lowe’s links end-user feedback loop to AI tool improvements

The home improvement retailer has been expanding AI access to employees and tweaking tools with stakeholder input in mind. 

Target commercial chief rolls out return to office plan

Executive Rick Gomez told some Twin Cities commercial employees to work from headquarters three days a week starting in September.

Saks Global taps Neiman Marcus vet as CFO

Brandy Richardson was most recently at Tailored Brands and joins the luxury retailer at a financially tricky time.

June retail sales rise 4.2% as shoppers prep for back to school

While sales rose in every category tracked by Retail Dive, the ongoing trade war continues to weigh on consumers.

Updated July 17, 2025

DressX enters Roblox with new game, collabs with Puma

The athletics retailer sees the DressGo game as a way to showcase its styles in a way that resonates with female gamers.

Gen Z forecast to become most loyal purchasers of private label

Store brands are opening a door for younger consumers to obtain affordable luxuries, per a new report. 

Bark receives second noncompliance warning from NYSE in less than 2 years

The online pet company said it is exploring all possible options, including a reverse stock split.

Kohl’s appoints digital chief amid turnaround plan

Retail veteran Arianne Parisi will join the company on July 28, reporting to interim CEO Michael Bender.

L.L. Bean in search of a new CEO

Stephen Smith, the retailer’s first chief executive from outside the company or founding family, will leave next spring after a decade in the post.

Why JanSport revived its cringeworthy back-to-school ads to reach Gen Z

The backpack maker’s TikTok-focused effort returns for a second year after an initial run led to the brand’s highest grossing sales day in history.

Hackers claim responsibility for Belk data breach

The North Carolina-based retailer is the latest victim in a spree of attacks in the U.K. and U.S.

Amazon once again touts ‘record’ Prime Day sales

The event was double the length of the previous year, though, so "anything else would be a big disappointment," one analyst said.

Shein faces class action lawsuit over marketing texts

The fast fashion giant is accused of repeatedly texting those on the national Do-Not-Call registry.

La-Z-Boy overhauling distribution network to cut costs

The furniture maker expects to reduce warehouse and inventory costs while optimizing home delivery through the initiative.

Walmart offers some back-to-school supplies at lower prices this year

The retailer brought back its one-click school lunch basket and also announced the launch of private label tween brand Weekend Academy.

Consumers to cut back on essentials to cover holiday purchases

Spending won’t drop, but higher costs mean shoppers will make trade-offs in every category this season, according to an Inmar Intelligence report.  

Target to open 8 new stores this summer

The mass retailer, which is undergoing a turnaround effort, will unveil three locations that exceed its standard 125,000 square feet.

UK authorities arrest 4 people in probe of retail cyberattack spree

The arrests mark the first major break in a case linked to the Scattered Spider cybercrime group, although additional work continues with multiple agencies.

Updated July 10, 2025

Ulta expands Korean beauty assortment in new partnership

A deal with K-Beauty World will bring eight brands to the retailer’s stores and website this summer as it looks to add newness to its assortment.