Survey: Parents turn to mobile for back-to-school shopping

A majority of parents plan to increase their back-to-school spending to an average of $917 per child, according to the Rubicon Project's annual consumer survey.

By Daphne Howland • July 7, 2016

How the future of fit could spell the end of retail returns

Merchandise returns accounted for more than $260 billion in lost sales last year. But new apparel and footwear fit technology, size-shifting robots and data analysis tools are changing the equation.

By Lara Ewen • July 7, 2016

Explore the Trendline➔

Gen Z and the next-generation consumer

If there's anything retailers want more than financial stability right now, it's to understand Gen Z. 

By Retail Dive staff

Amazon said to be planning bookstore for NYC's Hudson Yards

The location would bring Amazon's physical store effort to the East Coast. 

By Daphne Howland • July 5, 2016

Ikea pledges higher quality as consumer expectations change

The Swedish furniture giant aims to attract new customers, including older consumers that don’t consider Ikea when it’s time to redecorate.

By Daphne Howland • July 5, 2016

Retail Therapy: When retailers take 'trendy' a little too far

From celebrity dating insurance to a poorly-styled Wimbledon tennis dress, retailers are responding to trends in amusing ways. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • July 1, 2016

Forever 21 loses shipping partner amid slowing business

EZ Worldwide Express claims it can't continue to support Forever 21 due to the fast fashion retailer's slowing business.

By Dan O'Shea • June 27, 2016

Best Buy extends Geek Squad in-home consulting services

The program is just one of several pilot programs the retailer is testing to ramp up its service offerings. 

By Daphne Howland • June 27, 2016

Barnes & Noble planning beer, wine offerings at new restaurants

The move fits with CEO Ron Boire’s efforts to expand Barnes & Noble’s merchandise mix to include gifts and toys.

By Daphne Howland • June 24, 2016

Pinterest bags Tote for social media merchandising strategy

Pinterest acquires the talent behind the Tote m-commerce app as it continues to push toward new forms of social media monetization.

By Dan O'Shea • June 23, 2016

Starwood asking $1.2B for package of regional malls

Among them are malls acquired from Westfield three years ago.

By Daphne Howland • June 22, 2016

How Ralph Lauren ended up needing a 'Way Forward' plan

The sartorial empire built on one man's exquisite taste faces a need for change and a new kind of consumer.

By Daphne Howland • June 20, 2016

UPDATE: Wal-Mart sells Chinese e-commerce site to Alibaba rival JD.com

A deal between JD.com and Wal-Mart China could help the retailers compete with Alibaba in the country's competitive e-commerce landscape.

By Daphne Howland • June 20, 2016

Retail Therapy: Deep-fried Twinkies are coming soon to a Wal-Mart near you

The decadent snack will be sold exclusively at Wal-Mart for a year. This, and more, in this week's Retail Therapy. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • June 17, 2016

Dollar stores attracting more wealthy millennials

Retailers like Dollar General and Dollar Tree operate in convenient locations and offer goods at lower prices than Wal-Mart.

By Daphne Howland • June 17, 2016

Report: Malls without lifeline as billions in debt come due

Department store prospects, the rise of e-commerce, and the shopping-mall model are making lenders leery.

By Daphne Howland • June 17, 2016

Study: Prime members make up 60% of Amazon's GMV

Prime members are less than 20% of Amazon’s customer base, but they are younger, wealthier, stickier, and spend more.

By Daphne Howland • June 16, 2016

Retail sales rise 0.5% in May, boosted by e-commerce growth

Sporting goods and apparel sales increased last month, while department stores and home improvement sales declined.

By Daphne Howland • June 14, 2016

Under Armour's new Steph Curry 'Chef' shoe gets roasted on social media

Under Armour's bid to rival Nike in the athletic footwear market took a hit after its latest shoe release was widely panned. 

By David Kirkpatrick • June 13, 2016

Salesforce, BCG studies challenge e-commerce's unstoppable trajectory

Physical stores retain big advantages over e-commerce, according to a pair of new consumer surveys.

By Daphne Howland • June 13, 2016

Macy's to roll out new store design in Ohio mall

The new store model includes a larger beauty section and in-store pickup of online orders. 

By Daphne Howland • June 13, 2016

Retail Therapy: The NBA's big-money, high-fashion spending machine

You don't need to be well-acquainted with Steph Curry's 3-point shot to know: NBA players have style, and they aren't afraid to pay for it. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • June 10, 2016

Report: Online apparel sales will rise 20% over next four years

Older millennials are poised to shift more of their clothing purchases to the web, and other groups could follow suit.

By Daphne Howland • June 10, 2016

Study finds 31% of shoppers buy online at least once a week

The study also paints an enduring picture of consumers who prefer shopping in stores for key categories.

By Daphne Howland • June 9, 2016

Survey: Primark's pricing could be a 'disruptive force' in US retail

Primark, which opened its first U.S. store in Boston last year, sells clothing so cheap that it makes Forever 21 or H&M look like mid-priced apparel stores.  

By Daphne Howland • June 9, 2016

How renting clothes could usher in a new idea of ownership

Should retailers fear the rise of Rent the Runway's Unlimited clothes rental service?

By Kelsey Lindsey • June 8, 2016