The Latest
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Podcast
The Backroom: All of a sudden, a lot is happening at department stores
The team discusses a barrage of news from several players in a retail space that has been written off many times.
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Conn’s files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
The retailer has started the process of running going-out-of-business sales across its fleet and selling off its assets.
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In-store experience wins out as customers want to see and touch purchases: report
Customers value associate’s advice, particularly for luxury goods, while they feel frustrated by chatbots’ inability to resolve customer service inquiries.
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Hasbro revenue falls 18% as profits improve
The toy manufacturer, which is reportedly considering a takeover of rival Mattel, said sales fell 6% excluding the sale of its eOne film and TV unit.
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Sam’s Club brings retail media to Scan & Go tool
Display ads will appear on the cart page of the retailer’s app and enable measurement of in-store shopping behavior and ad performance.
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Walmart leans into value, touting ‘thousands’ of back-to-school items under $10
New this year is a “one-click food basket,” offering two weeks of lunch supplies for about $2 per day.
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Column
Reporter’s Notebook: Blockbuster still wants you to be kind, rewind
The video rental chain’s last-standing franchise location in Bend, Oregon, has both loyal customers and nostalgic fans.
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Estée Lauder controller lands CFO seat amid restructuring
Akhil Shrivastava, a nine-year company veteran, understands “the levers the company can pull to revive growth,” Morningstar analyst Dan Su writes.
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Helen of Troy reports distribution disruptions at Tennessee facility
The company is working with suppliers to address the remaining challenges impacting customer orders.
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Inside American Eagle’s ‘Live Your Life’ brand platform and fall campaign
Chief Marketing Officer Craig Brommers explains how the retailer is giving fresh energy to a 20-year-old slogan to reach Gen Z.
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Mattel will lean on retailers to boost holiday sales
The toy maker said it will be gaining shelf space in stores, and headed off questions about takeover rumors.
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Curology enters CVS
The DTC brand’s nonprescription products debuted on the drugstore’s website and will be in stores by August.
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Deep Dive
And just like that, Google won’t be deprecating cookies. What now?
The tech giant backed off plans to implement a huge shift in digital marketing that faced pushback from adland and regulators around the world.
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Omni Retail Enterprises names CTO
Similar to the company’s new CEO, Jeff Haddox has an extensive background working with home retailer Pier 1 — a brand now owned by Omni.
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American Exchange Group acquires Indie Lee
The Aerosoles owner plans to grow the brand beyond skin care, as well as explore diffusion brands through licensing and brand expansion.
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Column
The Weekly Closeout: What the Supreme sale means for VF’s debt and Mango posts ‘record’ first half
The recent sale could spell good news for the apparel company’s upcoming maturities. Meanwhile, Mango plots expansion.
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Best Buy updates brand with new tagline, hologram spokesperson
As part of a refresh, the company updated its color palette to include magenta, teal and red, and is emphasizing personalized discovery and support.
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Belk shrinks debt load by nearly $1B
The Southern department store is also collecting about $485 million in new financing, and some of its lenders will have controlling stakes.
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Retail sales up 3.3% in June as consumers respond to deals
Early back-to-school spending likely helped retailers somewhat, though shoppers continue to avoid big-ticket items.
Updated July 16, 2024 -
Conn’s to close over 70 stores amid bankruptcy speculation
The closures represent about 13% of its store fleet and come amid a Bloomberg report that the home retailer is prepping to file for bankruptcy.
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TikTok Shop spend jumps during Deals for You Days
U.S. shoppers spent $52 each during the social platform’s July sale, a historic high and a break from recent declines, according to Earnest Analytics.
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Column
The Weekly Closeout: Von Dutch is acquired and Bath & Body Works partners with Crocs
The fashion company was sold to WSG Brands, while the shoe collab is all decked out in gingham.
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Walmart to pay $2.5M to settle class-action wage claims for pre-shift COVID-19 screening
The amount the employees recovered was “substantial,” according to the federal court that approved the settlement.
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Nike kicks off marketing comeback with gritty Olympics ads
Willem Dafoe narrates spots probing the qualities that motivate sporting greats, including an obsession with power and an inability to be satisfied.
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Tracker
The running list of major retail bankruptcies
Eastern Mountain Sports and Bob's Stores are the latest retailers to file Chapter 11.
Updated May 17, 2024