COVID-19 forces layoffs at Le Tote, Lord & Taylor

The apparel rental company, which bought the department store last summer for $100 million, is operating online only until stores can reopen.

By Daphne Howland • April 7, 2020

Bed Bath & Beyond, 1-800-Flowers reach agreement over PersonalizationMall.com

The deal, which 1-800-Flowers allegedly tried to back away from, spurring the home goods retailer to file a lawsuit, is expected to close by Aug. 3.

By Daphne Howland , Caroline Jansen • Updated July 22, 2020

Amazon confirms indefinite Prime Day postponement

Usually held in mid-July, the event will happen later this year, with dates varying by location, the company said.

By Daphne Howland • Updated July 23, 2020

EBay pledges $100M to help small businesses move online

During a pandemic that has made e-commerce more important than ever, the online marketplace is launching tools to help small businesses transition.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • April 6, 2020

To pay or not to pay: Retailers are making tough decisions on rent and other bills

The opening salvos have been fired in a "showdown" between tenants and landlords as retailers try to preserve cash amid mass closures.

By Ben Unglesbee • April 6, 2020

Walmart limits store traffic to 5 customers per 1K square feet

The retail giant joined Target in adding queue​s at its stores in an effort to enforce social distancing as COVID-19 surges in the U.S.

By Ben Unglesbee • April 6, 2020

PVH may 'pack and hold' inventory until next spring

The company, which owns Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, hopes to regain the ability to sell at full price rather than dump goods to off-pricers.

By Daphne Howland • April 3, 2020

Target to limit traffic where necessary to ensure social distancing

The measures come as Vermont placed limits on what big-box retailers can sell in their stores.

By Ben Unglesbee • April 3, 2020

Ross latest to furlough workers as stores remain closed

The off-price retailer doesn't run e-commerce, making the closures necessitated by the pandemic an even greater problem than it is for most.

By Daphne Howland • April 2, 2020

Fitch downgrades 9 retailers in a day, including Macy's, Nordstrom and J.C. Penney

Analysts with the ratings firm think sales could still be down in double digits for some retailers in 2021.

By Ben Unglesbee • April 2, 2020

Traffic grinds to a halt for apparel retailers, declines even for mass merchants

As stores close, e-commerce is not growing in tandem, and online discounts are shredding margins, Morgan Stanley analysts say. 

By Ben Unglesbee • April 2, 2020

Macy's dropped from S&P 500

The retailer's departure from the agency's signature index of America's largest public firms is just the latest sign of its retrenchment.

By Daphne Howland • April 1, 2020

J.C. Penney furloughs store and corporate staff as closures extend indefinitely

The already-stressed retailer is cutting back capital spending and tapping its revolver as it weathers an unprecedented tumult. 

By Ben Unglesbee • April 1, 2020

Neiman Marcus, Belk furlough workers and extend store closures

Like so many retailers, the privately held department stores are attempting to shore up their finances amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Daphne Howland • April 1, 2020

What do department stores do now?

With too many stores and not enough customers, the segment was flirting with disaster. Then came COVID-19.

By Daphne Howland • April 1, 2020

Urban Outfitters says it won't pay rent

The retailer joins several others in furloughing workers, delaying projects and shoring up capital as COVID-19 brings operations to a virtual standstill.

By Daphne Howland • March 31, 2020

Retail furloughs snowball as Kohl's, Gap extend store closures

With stores staying shut due to the pandemic, retailers are taking various financial measures and their lowest paid employees are adrift.

By Daphne Howland • March 31, 2020

Williams-Sonoma owes $1M to FTC over misleading 'Made in America' claims

The company's namesake and Pottery Barn banners falsely advertised the origin of several of their products.

By Caroline Jansen • March 31, 2020

Taubman tells retail tenants to keep paying rent. Some may be about to skip

The mall operator reminded those in its facilities that it has its own bills to pay. But retailers are doing everything they can to preserve cash.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 31, 2020

Macy's furloughs most of workforce as COVID-19 takes its toll

Less than a week after the department store took drastic measures to shore up its finances, the company says they won't be enough.

By Daphne Howland • March 30, 2020

S&P downgrades TJX, Bed Bath & Beyond on weak post-COVID-19 economy

In the short term, even strong players could be hurt. But with a recession likely ahead, off-price is well positioned, Credit Suisse analysts said.

By Daphne Howland • March 30, 2020

After GameStop's sales fell 28% last year, the pandemic has given it a boost

The retailer's comps are up 2% as consumers seek out entertainment and remote learning equipment. 

By Ben Unglesbee • March 30, 2020

With zero sales from stores, a cash crunch is coming to department stores in 5 to 8 months

Cowen & Co. emphasizes liquidity, but that strength belies the reality that many stores are destined to shut for good, according to other analysis.

By Daphne Howland • March 30, 2020

Pier 1 granted approval to temporarily skip rent, supplier payments

A similar move was taken by Modell’s a week ago, as bankrupt retailers struggle with the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak.

By Ben Unglesbee , Caroline Jansen • Updated April 3, 2020

Lululemon pushes ahead with growth plans despite coronavirus

As a strong player in a strong sector of retail, the athletics brand isn't pulling back on its goals of doubling digital and men's by 2023.

By Cara Salpini • March 27, 2020