Department Stores

  • People walking past a city department store building.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Saks Global doesn’t rule out bankruptcy

    The department store conglomerate says it’s “exploring all potential paths” toward stability but insists the luxury market is strong.

    By • Dec. 23, 2025
  • With puffy clouds in a blue sky, bushes surround a store with the name "JC Penney" in white letters. The store entrance is a brick arch.
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    "JC Penney" by Mike Mozart is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Deal to sell 120 J.C. Penney stores for $950M falls through

    When it was announced in July, the deal to private equity firm Onyx Partners faced questions from investors over the selling price.

    By • Dec. 23, 2025
  • Trumpets decorating the side of a building in a city downtown.
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    "Macy's Chicago" by webriprob is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    To see where Macy’s is going, head to Chicago

    Merchandising and customer service at the State Street flagship are the best they’ve been in 15 years, Evercore ISI analysts report.

    By • Dec. 18, 2025
  • Reflections in a department store window advertising the holidays.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Deep Dive

    Saks Global is stuck

    The fourth quarter is pivotal for almost any retailer, but especially one that has a lot to prove to vendors, investors and customers. Some observers see a 2026 bankruptcy as inevitable.

    By • Dec. 9, 2025
  • People walking down the street and cars driving in a city.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Reporter’s notebook: New York City’s last department stores

    A trek around the island of Manhattan at retail's busiest time of year.

    By • Dec. 9, 2025
  • People in the city gathered around a department store entrance.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Saks Global sues to block Bergdorf chief merchant’s move to Nordstrom

    The luxury company alleges that Yumi Shin violated her noncompete agreement, stole proprietary information and must give back nearly $50,000 in payouts.

    By • Dec. 8, 2025
  • Holiday decorations on the outside of a department store.
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    Courtesy of Macy's
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    Macy’s cautiously optimistic about the holidays

    The department store retailer had its strongest Q3 comps in over three years, but said it’s braced for a cautious consumer and the impact of tariffs.

    By • Dec. 3, 2025
  • Belk storefront.
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    Kaarin Vembar/Retail Dive
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    Belk debuts smaller-format Market stores

    The concept is launching this month with two locations, with additional openings slated for 2026.

    By • Dec. 1, 2025
  • Dark clouds over a store entrance. A brick-red exterior wall with a "Kohl's" sign.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Kohl’s makes progress in Q3 despite sales, profit declines

    Loyal customers are returning more often as turnaround initiatives take hold, though some analysts say bolder change is needed.

    By • Nov. 25, 2025
  • Pedestrians walk outside a Kohl’s store location.
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    Courtesy of Kohl's
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    Kohl’s stays the course with CEO choice

    Michael Bender took over in the interim when the newly arrived chief executive was fired for cause in May. The board unanimously made it permanent.

    By • Nov. 24, 2025
  • People walking past a huge department store.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Saks Global shakeup reaches Bergdorf Goodman

    Chief merchant Yumi Shin’s exit has prompted an evaluation of merchandising leadership. Chief Retail Officer Melissa Xides is also exiting.

    By • Nov. 20, 2025
  • A department entrance at a mall.
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    Getty Images
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    Retail basics propel Dillard’s in Q3

    The department store’s strength across categories is less about artificial intelligence and more about merchandising, loyalty and well-run stores.

    By • Nov. 13, 2025
  • Two people sit on a stage for a fireside chat at a conference.
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    Permission granted by Reuters Events
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    In an AI world, Nordstrom is leaning into human care

    AI has a role to play, but when customers "really want the face-to-face, eye-to-eye, voice-to-voice connection,” the retailer is there to meet the need, Nordstrom’s Heather Bissell said.

    By Kristen Doerer • Nov. 10, 2025
  • A woman sitting on the ground, focused on her cell phone, with a relaxed posture and a thoughtful expression.
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    Permission granted by Emergent BioSolutions
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    Sponsored by Emergent BioSolutions

    The gift you give this holiday season could be a second chance

    The holiday season packs malls and stores with millions of visitors. With more people comes greater risk of medical emergencies, including overdoses.

    Nov. 10, 2025
  • A mall entrance to a store whose sign says "OFF 5th" in black lettering and a red "5."
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    "Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th Outlet Dolphin Mall" by Phillip Pessar is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Saks Off 5th to close 9 stores, giving Nordstrom another opening

    Saks Global says the closures will help refine its off-price business. But its struggles with vendors may have played a role.

    By • Nov. 6, 2025
  • A Neiman Marcus storefront in downtown Chicago
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    Kaarin Moore/Retail Dive
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    Saks Global approaches merger anniversary with a whirlwind of executive changes

    Most surprising is last week’s exit of Emily Essner, who was aboard as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus combined and whose duties just expanded.

    By • Nov. 5, 2025
  • A large downtown department store.
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    "Saks Fifth Avenue Chicago" by kzoocowboy is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Saks Global pins hope on stylists, top sellers

    The luxury conglomerate may be trying to woo top-notch stylists and their high-spending customers back to Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. To succeed, the company will need inventory it may not have.

    By • Nov. 4, 2025
  • J.C. Penney's 2025 holiday campaign.
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    Permission granted by J.C. Penney
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    J.C. Penney, iHeartRadio partner on holiday collection

    The move is part of the department store’s broader plans for the season, which also include special 24-hour deals throughout November.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 30, 2025
  • A downtown department store building
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Nordstrom relaunches holiday catalog

    The department store will host more than 1,500 events this year and will also have Santa Claus at all of its locations for the first time.

    By Howard Ruben • Oct. 29, 2025
  • An illustration of Scottsdale Fashion Square's plans for its lounge.
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    Permission granted by Scottsdale Fashion Square
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    Sponsored by Fashion Square

    Scottsdale Fashion Square redefines retail’s heart

    Luxury, design and dining converge in Palm Court transformation.

    Oct. 27, 2025
  • Bloomingdale's flagship in New York City, at night.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Saks Global merchant jumps to Bloomingdale’s

    James Newell is the latest executive to leave the luxury conglomerate, which is working to capture synergies from its Saks-Neiman tie-up.

    By • Oct. 23, 2025
  • With puffy clouds in a blue sky, bushes surround a store with the name "JC Penney" in white letters. The store entrance is a brick arch.
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    "JC Penney" by Mike Mozart is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    J.C. Penney slows declines in Q2, swings to profit

    The struggling department store said it was able to mitigate higher distribution costs and tariffs through better markdown management.

    By • Oct. 20, 2025
  • A Saks storefront in Chicago.
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    Kaarin Moore/Retail Dive
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    Saks Global Q2 revenue slumps, loss widens amid inventory woes

    Some vendors are still owed money, and a number have stopped shipping to the luxury retailer, a scenario analysts have warned about for months.

    By • Oct. 17, 2025
  • Gray clouds over a Kohl's store, with an entrance to Sephora.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Kohl’s categorizes gift lists by budget to highlight value

    Gift ideas curated by price are part of the department store’s broader holiday plans, which also include expanding its assortment.

    By Howard Ruben • Oct. 14, 2025
  • A storefront, with the neighborhood reflected in the window.
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    Courtesy of Nordstrom
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    Nordstrom returns to San Francisco this week

    The department store’s service-oriented, merchandise-free concept will open two years after its downtown flagship and off-price stores shut down.

    By • Oct. 7, 2025