Brands scramble to make statements as protests continue

But how those messages are received depends on the core values of the business, experts say.

By Daphne Howland • June 2, 2020

Stitch Fix to lay off 1,400 employees

The company is letting go of its California stylists as it moves to hire around 2,000 in other parts of the country. 

By Kaarin Moore • June 2, 2020

Bankrupt Neiman Marcus breached its loan terms, lender says

Deutsche Bank raised concerns that inventory backing the luxury retailer's asset-based credit line was overvalued by tens of millions of dollars. 

By Ben Unglesbee • June 2, 2020

Costco will revive store sampling this summer

The club retailer, which saw U.S. store traffic decline 2% in Q3, hopes to spur shopper interest by bringing back fundamental parts of its store experience.

By Jeff Wells • June 2, 2020

Retailers respond to weekend protests

Target and Nordstrom closed stores after locations were damaged, but focused their statements on support for the protestors' cause.

By Daphne Howland • June 1, 2020

Party City buys time with debt deal

The agreement with some lenders would trade old debt for equity and new debt, giving the ailing party retailer breathing room to work on its turnaround. 

By Ben Unglesbee • June 1, 2020

Brick and mortar's next chapter

The pandemic is forcing retailers to finally define just what their stores are for.

By Daphne Howland • June 1, 2020

Ulta slashes 2020 new store openings to as few as 30

The pandemic has also changed the retailer's long-term thinking about its brick-and-mortar base, thanks to the success of its e-commerce.

By Cara Salpini • May 29, 2020

Why the pandemic was a windfall for (some) dollar stores

Sales and profit growth at Dollar General were explosive, as customers stocked up and stayed close to home during the pandemic. 

By Ben Unglesbee • May 29, 2020

Nordstrom Q1 loss exceeds half a billion dollars

The retailer depends on physical stores to anchor its retail ecosystem, a disadvantage with locations closed due to the pandemic.

By Daphne Howland • May 29, 2020

The Backroom: How the coronavirus sped up retail bankruptcies

On this episode of the podcast, senior reporters Daphne Howland and Ben Unglesbee discuss how the pandemic pushed distressed retailers to file.

By Caroline Jansen • May 28, 2020

How Tuesday Morning went bankrupt

After more than 45 years as an off-pricer, the retailer hit the skids when COVID-19 forced its doors shut and zeroed out revenue. Now it hopes to slim down in Chapter 11.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 28, 2020

Rethinking the catwalk could slow down fast fashion

A movement to tear up the traditional fashion week calendar has profound implications for the apparel trade — and beyond.

By Daphne Howland • May 28, 2020

The incredible shrinking department store

The COVID-19 pandemic has made certain that the century-old retail model will never be the same. Which ones survive, and what will they look like?

By Daphne Howland • May 28, 2020

Walmart joins long line of retailers partnering with resale site ThredUp

The retail giant is selling the secondhand goods only online but will take returns in stores.

By Daphne Howland • May 27, 2020

Saks owner balks at lawsuit alleging a 'clandestine corporate shell game'

With the Canadian retail company behind on mortgage payments, lenders allege its internal restructuring raises risks to repayment on a major loan. 

By Ben Unglesbee • May 27, 2020

Does the coronavirus outbreak change who's on top in the beauty space?

Sephora and Ulta usually reign, but temporary store closures have kept their doors shut and put growth plans on the back burner.

By Cara Salpini • May 27, 2020

Fitch downgrades Macy's on pandemic fallout into next year

The department store has decent liquidity, but analysts expect sales to remain under pressure into the holidays as the outbreak weakens consumer spending.

By Daphne Howland • May 27, 2020

Tuesday Morning files for bankruptcy with plans to close a third of its stores

The off-price retailer cited COVID-19 as an "insurmountable financial hurdle" that forced it into Chapter 11, though its struggles go back further. 

By Ben Unglesbee • May 27, 2020

J.C. Penney unveils new home brand

The bedding collection launch comes just days after the retailer filed for Chapter 11 and announced plans to "offer compelling merchandise."

By Caroline Jansen • May 26, 2020

Financial anxiety persists as health concerns ease

More U.S. consumers feel safe going to the store, and are spending on wants as well as needs. But many also worry about losing their jobs, Deloitte found.

By Daphne Howland • May 26, 2020

Will anyone save Stage Stores from retail oblivion?

An all-in bet on off-price was derailed by a holiday miss and then the pandemic. If no one steps in to buy the retailer, it is destined for liquidation.

By Ben Unglesbee • Updated May 26, 2020

TJX, Ross weather the storm in Q1

Sales and profits plummeted at both off-pricers, but they're already staging a comeback, with unique advantages going forward, analysts say.

By Daphne Howland • May 22, 2020

Apparel's pandemic 'shock' will be felt into 2021, Moody's says

The COVID-19 crisis will tip distressed clothing and footwear retailers into default and "challenge the rest," analysts said in a recent report. 

By Ben Unglesbee • May 22, 2020

Macy's Q1 loss could top $1B

The department store badly needs to reopen, and that has begun. But with so many mall locations and wary consumers, results could remain weak.

By Daphne Howland • May 21, 2020