Corporate News

Retailers decry proposed swipe fee settlement

A $6.2 billion settlement over a long-standing antitrust lawsuit that merchants brought against Visa and Mastercard awaits court approval — but retailers say it won't fix the problem.

By Corinne Ruff • Sept. 20, 2018
Amazon's use of seller data subject of EU competition probe

EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager is looking into whether the e-commerce giant uses transaction data collected from sellers on its third-party platform to squelch competition.

By Ben Unglesbee • Sept. 20, 2018
Overstock launches lease-to-own service

CEO Patrick Byrne touted the new service as just another payment option, like bitcoin or Paypal, but rent-to-own leases have been criticized as anti-consumer.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 20, 2018
Why an obscure tech firm plans to resurrect Bon-Ton

CSC Generation bought the bankrupt retailer's IP for $900,000 thinking it could run a profitable operation. That's plenty ambitious in its own right, but the firm's plans only get bigger from there.

By Ben Unglesbee • Sept. 20, 2018
Rent-A-Center shareholders approve Vintage Capital merger

The overwhelming yes vote comes after the Federal Trade Commission filed a "second request" over antitrust concerns.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 20, 2018
4 Walmart execs to join e-commerce acquisition Flipkart

India is the hottest country in retail and Walmart doesn't want to be left behind. It is installing new leaders months after it bought the e-commerce marketplace.

By Dan Alaimo • Sept. 19, 2018
Bonobos founder hands off CEO role

Andy Dunn, who is still SVP of digital consumer brands at Walmart, will now assume the role of "voice for the customer" and guide at the brand he built.

By Corinne Ruff • Sept. 19, 2018
Banana Republic unveils Kevin Love capsule collection

The limited-edition collection is boosted by an online advertising campaign, further evidence that Gap Inc. hasn't given up on Banana Republic.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 19, 2018
Zola registers Crate & Barrel collection

Ahead of engagement season — not to mention the holidays — the wedding registry business will add 3,500 Crate & Barrel products to its assortment.

By Corinne Ruff • Sept. 19, 2018
Claire's lenders come to truce in bankruptcy fight

The teen retailer's main dissenter over its bankruptcy plan finally relented, agreeing to sign on to Claire's reorganization plan and setting the stage for its exit from Chapter 11.

By Ben Unglesbee • Sept. 18, 2018
The Market @ Macy's debuts ahead of the holidays

The department store retailer is also rolling out VR experiences in the furniture department and AR ones in beauty, CEO Jeff Gennette said at Code Commerce Monday.

By Corinne Ruff • Sept. 18, 2018
Instagram expands shopping features to boost brands' direct sales

Two new features in Stories and Explore could help to close the sales loop for the more than 90 million users that tap shoppable posts for more product information.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 18, 2018
Neiman Marcus ends fiscal year with some breathing room

The upscale department store trimmed its losses significantly, which bodes well as it enters a new fiscal year where it begins to tackle its massive debt.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 18, 2018
Staples buys workplace vendor Essendant for $996M

Like rival Office Depot, Staples is fortifying its ability to cater to business customers through acquisitions.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 18, 2018
Amazon investigating employees for data bribery

The e-tailer has a record of protecting transparency in its reviews, and a high level of consumer trust, but employees in China are reportedly selling data to third-party sellers.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 18, 2018
Crate & Barrel plots restaurant at Chicago store

Popular Korean barbecue chef Bill Kim will helm the kitchen at Crate & Barrel's first restaurant, slated to open next spring.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 18, 2018
Deep Dive
One year later: Toys R Us' fatal journey through Chapter 11

On the anniversary of the toy seller's disastrous bankruptcy, here is a look back at all the twists and turns in one of the largest and most dramatic Chapter 11s in retail history.

By Ben Unglesbee • Sept. 18, 2018
Why L Brands is giving up on Henri Bendel

With the company struggling amid the downturn at its flagship Victoria's Secret banner, the iconic fashion label had to go. But did it ever have a chance?

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 17, 2018
Deep Dive
Can Barnes & Noble be saved?

A revolving door of CEOs and failed attempts to boost stores with restaurants have plagued the retailer's turnaround efforts. Some say that's because there's no place left for big-box book retailing.

By Corinne Ruff • Sept. 17, 2018
Retail rents, vacancies stabilizing

Various reports suggest the worst of the impact of retail closures is probably over, as new tenants fill space vacated by anchoring stores.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 17, 2018
August retail sales miss as gas prices rise

Disappointing retail sales last month are unlikely to dent holiday forecasts, unless tariffs force new challenges onto American consumers.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 17, 2018
L Brands shuttering Henri Bendel

The move will be a boon to shareholders and allow L Brands to focus on its core business, according to B. Riley FBR analysts.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 14, 2018
Sears posts lowest drop in comps since 2014, but losses balloon

The ailing department store retailer staunched the bleeding in its sales base, but did so partly through promotions and merchandise discounts as its losses doubled year over year.

By Ben Unglesbee • Sept. 14, 2018
Retailers in the forefront of hurricane preparedness

While much is made of the benefits and costs to retailers during major weather events, their focus is on safety.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 14, 2018
Container Store tracks appointments with voice tech

The storage retailer reported customer satisfaction and workflow improvements after it deployed in-ear voice technology combined with smart appointment scheduling — an industry first.

By Dan Alaimo • Sept. 14, 2018