Department Stores

  • A mall store with a "JC Penney" banner in white letters on a wood-paneled background.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    J.C. Penney’s loss balloons in Q3 as sales continue to slide

    Still, the results were “not terrible,” given the department store’s improvements and its target customers’ financial stress, GlobalData said.

    By • Jan. 13, 2026
  • A department store building on a city corner, with people and cars.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Macy’s to close Oklahoma fulfillment center

    The Tulsa facility is slated to shutter this spring, according to a company spokesperson.

    By Kelly Stroh • Jan. 13, 2026
  • A Macy's store, with parked cars in front and a palm tree on the left.
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    "Beautiful December Sky Over the Mid-Century Modern Macy's at Grossmont Center, La Mesa CA" by Joe Wolf is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
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    Macy’s targets another 14 stores for closure

    The department store’s downsizing plan is key to its turnaround and will ultimately entail shuttering about 150 locations.

    By • Jan. 9, 2026
  • A palm tree in front of a light-colored building, against a blue sky.
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    Courtesy of Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation
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    S&P Global Ratings downgrades Saks Global on missed interest payment

    The luxury giant is unlikely to make good within the grace period or achieve promised savings from last year’s $2.7 billion merger, the analysts said.

    By • Jan. 8, 2026
  • A Saks storefront in Chicago.
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    Kaarin Moore/Retail Dive
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    Saks Global CEO Marc Metrick exits

    Executive Chairman Richard Baker is taking over the top position at the luxury retailer as bankruptcy speculation swirls.

    By • Jan. 2, 2026
  • 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