Retail Therapy: American Apparel's spokes-sloth and the holy iPad

Every Friday we bring you the weirdest and wackiest retail stories from around the web. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • April 17, 2015

T.J. Maxx begins selling plus sizes online

The retailer gets tepid reviews for its selection of plus sizes in stores.

By Daphne Howland • April 16, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

How retailers are thinking about in-store experience

Complementary shop-in-shops, age-appropriate experiences and integrated technology are just a few ways retailers are reworking stores to suit shoppers.

By Retail Dive staff

Men's Wearhouse looking to shake up Jos. A. Bank brand

CEO Douglas Ewert said it’s time for the brand to move beyond its "hyper-aggressive" promotional strategy. 

By Daphne Howland • April 15, 2015

Omnichannel initiatives attract retailers' spending: survey

But fulfillment costs make it difficult to profit, CEOs say.  

By Ian P. Murphy • April 15, 2015

A look at Plenti, America's first retail loyalty coalition

Through Plenti, the coalition of several retailers and American Express that will launch next month, consumers will be able to use one retailer's rewards to shop at another.

By Daphne Howland • April 14, 2015

Young people prefer physical stores: study

A study from New York City-based LIM College finds tech-based shopping among 18-25 year-olds is “significantly overrated.”

By Daphne Howland • April 14, 2015

Facebook still top among teens: Pew

The social network leads all others with 71% of teens ages 13 to 17 years old using it. 

By Ian P. Murphy • April 14, 2015

What is the future of brick-and-mortar retail stores?

Using some of the same digital tools predicted to be brick-and-mortar’s demise, retailers have started to reconfigure their physical stores to ensure future success. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • April 13, 2015

Retail Therapy: Apple Watch fan fiction and Ikea's veggie balls

Starting today, we will be publishing a once-a-week column on Fridays that will bring you the weirdest and wackiest retail stories from around the web. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • April 10, 2015

Mobile payments have a long way to go: PwC

Companies need to look beyond the transaction, a PwC report says. 

By Ian P. Murphy • April 10, 2015

Shoppers spent more time, money in stores in March: report

It seems that the overly subdued retail environment was a temporary thing, chilled at least in part by the long cold winter.

By Daphne Howland • April 8, 2015

Facebook still the social login leader

The new Janrain survey shows that the site is widening its lead over Google+.

By Ian P. Murphy • April 7, 2015

Store-within-a-store: Brick-and-mortar's 'godfather strategy'

Department stores, big box retailers, and now even fresh-from-bankruptcy RadioShack are turning to other brands to help reach new customers.

By Daphne Howland • April 6, 2015

Muji brings its price-cutting ethos to US stores

The retailer’s “always good prices” policy leads it to permanently slash prices from time to time. Now it's bringing that to its U.S. stores.

By Daphne Howland • April 6, 2015

Economy hits a soft patch: Commerce Department

The March jobs report was a little off mainly due to severe winter weather. While things will likely pick up as the weather warms up, stagnant wages remain a problem.

By Daphne Howland • April 6, 2015

For these retailers, April Fools' is every day

Many retailers are using prank ads to deliver eyeballs and to seek viral hits. 

By Ian P. Murphy • April 1, 2015

In-store WiFi leads to higher sales, loyalty: study

Almost half of stores with employee WiFi reported a 3.4% increase in sales, while WiFi for customers boosted sales 2%. 

By Ian P. Murphy • March 31, 2015

Consumer spending slows in February

Consumers are paying off debt or padding their savings accounts in lieu of spending, but that could change this year as jobs become more plentiful.

By Daphne Howland • March 31, 2015

GameStop rethinks store strategy as gaming changes

The retailer has been fighting the good fight against digital game sales, but mobile is making that harder.

By Daphne Howland • March 27, 2015

Retailers continue to miss consumer omnichannel expectations: Accenture

A whopping 82% of survey respondents said they expect prices to be the same across channels, a jump from 69% last year.

By Daphne Howland • March 26, 2015

Easter spending to increase this year: NRF

Total spending this year could reach $16.4 billion as consumers look to get out from under a long winter, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation.

By Daphne Howland • March 24, 2015

You'll Never Guess What They Said...

The world is a shopper’s market, and consumers say they want to feel valued when interacting with retailers. 

March 24, 2015

Device disruption: A look at the nimble digital shopper

Consumers are expecting a flexible retail experience, regardless of location or device usage. 

By Ian P. Murphy • March 20, 2015

Lowe's to spruce up 10 winter-battered cities

Meanwhile, Americans are tackling their own weather-related projects and will spend plenty to do it.

By Daphne Howland • March 20, 2015

Foot Locker revamping stores, eyes $10B in sales by 2020

As sports apparel booms for athletics and weekend leisure, the retailer aims to cash in with the right mix of merchandise.

By Daphne Howland • March 18, 2015