Moody's downgrades Ascena on 'persistent execution missteps'

Analysts acknowledged the company has some strengths but noted it is trying to effect a turnaround in a sector that is under siege.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 14, 2019

The 'retail apocalypse' is an apparel apocalypse

Most retailers in bankruptcy, or on the brink of it, sell clothes. Maybe that's their problem.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 14, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

How artificial intelligence is shaping retail

More retailers are leaning on AI as a tool, tapping into the tech to improve customer service and support supply chain functions.

By Retail Dive staff

6 ways retailers can win the holidays

It's a high stakes year, as retailers have closed nearly 7,300 stores thus far and 28 retailers are facing bankruptcy in the next 12 months.

By Kaarin Moore • Oct. 14, 2019

Women plan to shop online, on mobile this holiday season

Survey results from daVinci Payments show women intend to keep holiday spending consistent with last year's.

By Lisa Rowan • Oct. 11, 2019

Retail Therapy: Best friends on the lam edition

If you are suspected of funneling foreign funds to politicians you are going to need some products to support those life decisions.

By Kaarin Moore • Oct. 11, 2019

Adidas partners with Universal Standard on size-inclusive collection

The performance collection is the latest sign that merchandising for all body types is becoming a must in the apparel industry.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 9, 2019

Gen Z spending falls to 8-year low

However, when teens do shop, Nike is the preferred brand for apparel and footwear, according to a Piper Jaffray survey.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 9, 2019

Private label sales growing four times faster than national brands

A looming recession will only fortify private labels at a time when mass merchants and grocers have upped their game, says Coresight Research.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 9, 2019

Consumers looking for 'responsible' retailers this holiday season

Eighty-five percent of shoppers will spend the same or more than last year, per Accenture's 2019 Holiday Shopping Survey.

By Lisa Rowan • Oct. 9, 2019

PwC: 54% of consumers to shop online for the holidays

Amazon continues to lead product searches, but its influence is declining, according to the report.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 8, 2019

NRF: Gen Z influences over one-third of household purchases

Additionally, nearly half of purchases made for that demographic by parents are influenced by the children, according to a recent report.

By Lisa Rowan • Oct. 8, 2019

Victoria's Secret turns to UK's Bluebella in brand refresh

The company appears to be tweaking its sexy image to one of empowerment as it stakes its comeback in part on collaborations.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 7, 2019

Who really killed Blockbuster?

With one store left in the world, the video rental chain's approaching extinction is a reminder of all the things that can go wrong in retail.

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 7, 2019

A timeline of Blockbuster's ride from megahit to flop

In less than 30 years the video rental chain opened its first store, roared to ubiquity and all but disappeared.

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 7, 2019

6 lessons from Blockbuster's demise still relevant to retailers today

Unmanageable debt, shallow consumer knowledge, unsophisticated pricing — the video retailer's bumpy path to liquidation has a familiar ring to it.  

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 7, 2019

NRF forecasts strong holiday season, despite tariffs

The retail trade association expects holiday sales to grow between 3.8% and 4.2% over last year.

By Lisa Rowan • Oct. 4, 2019

Could shoppers' money troubles spoil the holidays?

Consumers are wobbling financially, and their debt doesn't help.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 4, 2019

Over half of shoppers use subscription box services

Dollar Shave Club leads the pack as more retailers and brands introduce subscription services.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 4, 2019

Retail Therapy: Skechers is the younger sibling that can't stop copying Nike

The Oregon-based sportswear retailer is suing the casual footwear brand, alleging it "Skecherized" its designs.

By Caroline Jansen • Oct. 4, 2019

Mall vacancy rate at 8-year high

A report from Reis underscores mall challenges in a year when retailers have closed nearly 7,300 stores.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 3, 2019

CCIM Institute: The state of retailing in 2025

Expect more partnerships with hotels, pressure on supply chains and multiuse redevelopments to retail spaces, according to Chief Economist K.C. Conway.

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 1, 2019

SKU'd: J. Crew is your ex who had 'potential'

There is nothing more infuriating than having something you deeply love disappoint you again and again.

By Kaarin Moore • Oct. 1, 2019

Tariffs threaten to dampen holiday spending

Retailers have little room for error at a time when consumer confidence is showing cracks, an AlixPartners study finds.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 27, 2019

Retail Therapy: Hefty's new product is hot garbage

The brand unveiled limited-edition trash bags with phrases like "Feeling like garbage today" so consumers can channel their trashiest selves.

By Caroline Jansen • Sept. 27, 2019

NYC retail vacancies doubled over 10 years

Rent spikes and red tape are pushing retailers out, and are especially devastating to mom-and-pop stores, according to the city's comptroller.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 26, 2019