The Backroom: When malls buy their tenants

Mall owners are snapping up distressed retailers as years of operational pressures and a pandemic combine to take down anchors and their neighbors.

By Retail Dive Team • Aug. 27, 2020

Madewell expands its Insider loyalty program

The apparel retailer joins other companies, including Sephora, Michaels and Macy's, that have recently revamped their programs. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 26, 2020

Bed Bath & Beyond lays off 2,800

The staff reduction combined with 200 store closures will realize savings of as much as $350 million and help expand omnichannel services and private label.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 26, 2020

Dick's emerges as COVID-19 era winner with Q2 comps up 20.7%

Consumer interest in biking, running, golf, and other outdoor and fitness activities drove record sales and profits at the sporting goods specialist. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 26, 2020

J. Crew exits bankruptcy

The apparel seller's new owner sees "an immense opportunity for growth and expansion" for the company's brands.

By Ben Unglesbee • Updated Sept. 11, 2020

Pandemic, casualization of attire bring 'disaster' to Nordstrom in Q2

The department store's low inventory may be more a sign of pandemic-related upheaval in the supply chain than its usual tactic to protect margins.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 26, 2020

Retail is 'scrambling' to keep up with accelerated disruption in the COVID-19 era

A new Moody's report estimates that 20% of mall stores could close in five years amid faster-growing online shopping.

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 25, 2020

Anthropologie wedding brand BHLDN launches plus assortment

The retailer has joined several digital upstarts in offering extended sizes for brides and bridesmaids, a path to a greater share of a shaken market.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 25, 2020

Report: Nike shutting down 9 wholesale accounts in shift to DTC

Among those closing are Belk, Dillard's and Zappos, according to an analyst note from Susquehanna Financial Group.

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 25, 2020

Best Buy online comps grow 242% in Q2

While it won't last forever, working, learning and cooking at home spurred sales throughout the quarter and into the third, even when stores were closed.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 25, 2020

Macy's will 'reimagine' Thanksgiving Day Parade

After disrupting the department store's turnaround, the pandemic takes yet another whack at its plans this year.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 24, 2020

Neiman Marcus creditors are still agitating in final innings of bankruptcy

Meanwhile, the retailer's primary antagonist, hedge fund Marble Ridge Capital, is dissolving after a federal bankruptcy watchdog issued a damning report. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 24, 2020

Amazon retail chief to retire

Jeff Wilke has spent more than two decades at the e-commerce giant, and was widely viewed as a possible successor to Jeff Bezos as CEO.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 24, 2020

Sally Beauty, CosmoProf launch accelerator for women-owned brands

Four brands will receive online distribution and a virtual boot camp focused on merchandising, social media, marketing and e-commerce. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 24, 2020

S&P: Foot traffic to shopping centers reaching pre-pandemic levels

Foot traffic analysis is mixed, with outlet centers performing much better, while other data firms show traffic remains broadly depressed.

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 21, 2020

Inventory disruption roils TJX, Ross in Q2

But the off-price pipeline is relatively easy to restore, and the sector remains among the best positioned in retail, analysts say.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 21, 2020

Estée Lauder will close up to 15% of its stores, exit some department stores

The beauty giant announced a pandemic-related restructuring plan that shifts its priorities toward digital and away from unproductive locations.

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 21, 2020

Toys R Us online sales now supported by Amazon

The e-commerce giant has taken over a role that Target stepped into during the holiday period last year. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 21, 2020

Lord & Taylor to liquidate 5 more stores

As they expand the number of permanent closures, owner Le Tote and its department store business said they continue to review offers for a sale.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 20, 2020

Modell's brand sold to owner of Dressbarn, Pier 1 IP

The sporting goods retailer's trademarks and other assets sold for $3.6 million after it filed for bankruptcy and moved to liquidate its stores.

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 20, 2020

L Brands warns that the holidays could be tough this year

The company also said it has hired bankers for advice on its work in separating Victoria's Secret from its better-performing Bath & Body Works business.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 20, 2020

Amazon to turn former Lord & Taylor flagship into Manhattan tech hub

The deal is part of an initiative that includes investing more than $1.4 billion on its new offices and adding 3,500 jobs.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 20, 2020

Gap San Francisco flagship to close permanently

The store in the city's historic Flood Building, and another in the Embarcadero Center, won't be spared the retailer's tough fleet reductions.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 20, 2020

CBL plans to file for bankruptcy by October after deal with lenders

The mall REIT came to an agreement with bondholders that would cut some $900 million in debt as it looks to restructure in the COVID-19 era. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 20, 2020

A look back at the long history of Lord & Taylor

The 21st century hasn't been kind to the oldest department store in the U.S.

By Daphne Howland • Updated Aug. 31, 2020