Deep Dive: Page 5

Industry insights from our journalists


  • Reebok's battle with Nike
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    Adeline Kon/Retail Dive
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    Reebok was meant to be a ‘Nike killer.’ How the brand lost its No. 1 spot

    In the '80s, Reebok was the top sports brand for a time. Now it's dwarfed by Nike and Adidas. We take a look at the history of the brand, through the lens of the people who were there.

    Cara Salpini • July 26, 2021
  • Dick's Sporting Goods' House of Sport store concept
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    Permission granted by Dick's Sporting Goods
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    Dick’s is testing 5 store concepts. Here’s why.

    Store revamps are also in progress, and the sporting goods specialist is expanding its private label reach as it looks to maintain a winning position.

    Cara Salpini • July 19, 2021
  • Art Camp in-store track
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    Courtesy of Camp
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    The new toy store experience

    Toys R Us went bankrupt years ago and hasn't really been replaced. Here's how others are designing experiences for a digitally enabled generation.

    Cara Salpini • July 15, 2021
  • A headshot of Jeff Bezos.
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    Courtesy of Amazon
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    Is it 'Day Two' at Amazon yet?

    Most analysts expect little change from Jeff Bezos' departure as CEO. But he's leaving unfinished business for longtime lieutenant Andy Jassy.

    Daphne Howland • July 7, 2021
  • Win Brands Group's DTC portfolio
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    Permission granted by Win Brands Group
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    The rise of DTC holding companies

    Why the founders of Pattern Brands, Very Great and Win Brands Group are betting on the power of building multiple brands under one umbrella.

    Caroline Jansen • June 30, 2021
  • A black flag that says "The Real Real" hangs off a building's dark trim.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Customers love them. Investors love them. But which online players can survive in the long run?

    As they seek scale, some of the fastest-growing e-commerce firms have a license from investors to burn cash. A business can't lose money forever, though. (Right?)

    Ben Unglesbee • June 16, 2021
  • Peace Out
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    Permission granted by Peace Out
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    The business of normalizing taboo topics

    From periods and acne to sex toys and toilet plungers, DTC brands are out to disrupt every eyebrow-raising industry under the sun.

    Maria Monteros • June 8, 2021
  • Mary Dillon and Dave Kimbell
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    Courtesy of Ulta
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    ‘Something is changing at Ulta’: The legacy Mary Dillon leaves behind as CEO

    She grew the beauty retailer from a regional player to a national powerhouse. Her departure marks the end of that high-growth phase.

    Cara Salpini • June 7, 2021
  • "For lease" signs in empty store windows trimmed in light green paint.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Uncertainty lingers, even as consumer confidence rebounds

    There are signs of economic recovery and the end of the pandemic, especially in the U.S. But the outlook is uneven and rife with unknowns.

    Daphne Howland • June 2, 2021
  • A Sears store going out of business in 2020
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Is the never-ending Sears saga finally reaching its closing chapters?

    Most of what is left of the one-time empire is a footprint smaller than many regional retailers, and a whole lot of legal bills.

    Ben Unglesbee • June 1, 2021
  • Lowe's hardware, home improvement
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    Courtesy of Lowe's
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    The rise of the home improvement sector — and where it could go next

    Increasing homeownership rates boosted the category in recent years, but unforeseen circumstances brought on by the pandemic helped land toilets on the list of most popular purchases of 2020.

    Caroline Jansen • May 26, 2021
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    Alex Wong / Staff via Getty Images
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    Visa, Mastercard face biggest challenges in a decade

    Regulatory, legislative and court confrontations over the card network companies' fees are ratcheting up pressure again for reform of the behemoths' practices.

    Lynne Marek • May 21, 2021
  • Can banks win in the booming buy now, pay later space?

    While buy now, pay later represents a niche of the payments ecosystem, banks should take note of what its growth says about the next generation of consumers.

    Anna Hrushka • May 21, 2021
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    Adeline Kon/Retail Dive
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    Have home retailers peaked?

    The category was on the rise, but the pandemic drove exponential growth. Retailers must now navigate how to sustain momentum in the years ahead.

    Caroline Jansen • May 10, 2021
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    RFID's e-commerce growth spurt

    The need for visibility drove companies to invest in solutions for their complete supply chain while Adidas is using the technology to verify provenance.

    Deborah Abrams Kaplan • May 5, 2021
  • Exterior shot of a DXL store.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    What's next for Destination XL after last year's calamity in menswear?

    The big-and-tall specialist's sales shrank by nearly a third in 2020 as offices went dark and events were nixed. Executives discuss how they navigated the turmoil.

    Ben Unglesbee • May 4, 2021
  • The arms of a person wearing a striped shirt can be seen taking an envelope out of a box filled with clothes.
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    Courtesy of Stitch Fix
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    Algorithms vs. humans: Who’s better at predicting fashion trends?

    These days data is plentiful, useful and fast. But some in the industry warn that old fashioned merchants are undervalued at a crucial time.

    Daphne Howland • April 29, 2021
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    Adeline Kon/Retail Dive
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    Right now, retailers are writing their own rules on climate action. Does that need to change?

    With an executive order in place and mounting pressure from multiple sides, climate regulation is brewing.

    Maria Monteros • April 21, 2021
  • 6 Payments trends for 2021

    The pandemic accelerated emerging payments trends, as "both the merchant and customer side picked up pace to evolve with changing market conditions," Forrester analyst Lily Varon said. 

    Vaidik Trivedi • April 6, 2021
  • Retailers have added more fulfillment options as a result of the pandemic
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    Adeline Kon/Retail Dive
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    The omnichannel age is here — and it’s expensive

    Store pickup of online orders grew by triple digits amid the pandemic. Retailers are now scrambling to become more efficient sellers across channels.

    Ben Unglesbee • April 5, 2021
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Malls tout proposed changes to REIT rules as good for retailers

    But legislation that would alter longstanding tax policy and make it easier for landlords to buy their tenants is more likely an attempt to save the mall.

    Daphne Howland • Updated April 1, 2021
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    Courtesy of Touchland
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    9 emerging DTCs to watch in 2021

    A lot has changed since Warby Parker and Dollar Shave Club entered the scene. In an increasingly crowded space, brands need to find what sets them apart.

    Caroline Jansen • March 30, 2021
  • Nike's Nike by Eugene store concept
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    Permission granted by Nike
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    How Nike is using DTC and data to expand its empire

    Since 2011, the sportswear giant has grown direct-to-consumer sales from 16% of its namesake brand revenues to 35%, all while continuing to take share.

    Cara Salpini • March 23, 2021
  • Bankrupt retailers shell out millions in professional fees while trying to turn themselves around
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    Adeline Kon/Retail Dive
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    Welcome to the lucrative world of retail bankruptcy

    A look at the most expensive Chapter 11 proceedings in retail and the players that have profited from them.

    Ben Unglesbee • March 8, 2021
  • Rae Dunn Valentine's Day cabinet.
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    Permission granted by Felicia Washington
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    Finding Rae Dunn

    Dunn's minimalistic approach to home goods has a community of collectors who hunt, and sometimes compete, for her products at off-price retailers.

    Kaarin Vembar • March 2, 2021