The impact of the coronavirus on retail

While COVID-19 spreads globally, the retail industry braces for the outbreak's fallout. 

By Ben Unglesbee , Daphne Howland , Kaarin Moore • March 5, 2020

Shoptalk postponed until September on coronavirus concerns

In a reversal of last week's confirmation, the conference will be held in place of its sibling event, Groceryshop, which is rescheduled to spring 2021.

By Daphne Howland • March 5, 2020

SKU'd: Walmart regrets everything it ever purchased

The one where a big-box retailer goes on a shopping spree, purchases a bunch of companies, then decides to drop them all.

By Kaarin Moore • March 5, 2020

Target's tech for store-based fulfillment operations is ready to scale

Machine learning and robotics will allow the retailer to fulfill digital orders from stores and avoid stockouts, executives detailed in an investor presentation.

By Emma Cosgrove • March 5, 2020

Erik Nordstrom takes the reins after mixed fourth quarter

The retailer dismantled its co-president governing structure, but is keeping control in the founding family as it expands its Local strategy.

By Daphne Howland • March 4, 2020

Kohl's traffic bumps aren't bringing the sales

CEO Michelle Gass announced a new teen apparel private label and said similar efforts are planned to address weakness in women's.

By Daphne Howland • March 4, 2020

Target plans 6K-square-foot store as it ramps up small format expansion

The retailer is deepening its reach in urban markets while remodeling larger stores, all in an effort to boost its brick-and-mortar center of gravity.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 4, 2020

How Stage Stores stumbled in its off-price blitz

As late as November, sales were booming and expectations were high. Then came the holidays, bankruptcy rumors, store closures and layoffs.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 4, 2020

Bed Bath & Beyond taps former Walgreens exec as chief merchandising officer

Joe Hartsig, who most recently served as the drugstore's chief merchant, is Mark Tritton's first big hire since taking the helm at the home goods retailer.

By Caroline Jansen • March 4, 2020

Amazon launches faster same-day delivery with mini-fulfillment centers

The new centers will enable fulfillment, sortation and delivery under one roof, allowing Amazon to bypass the traditional middle mile journey.

By S.L. Fuller • March 4, 2020

Richard Baker to take over as Hudson's Bay CEO

Helena Foulkes arrived from CVS two years ago after the unexpected exit of Jerry Storch, and leaves the post as HBC officially goes private.

By Daphne Howland • March 4, 2020

Paper Source acquires 30 stores from bankrupt Papyrus

With the additions, Paper Source's U.S. store count will nearly be as large as Papyrus' was when it filed for bankruptcy in January.

By Cara Salpini • March 3, 2020

Target's same-day services fuel 11th quarter of digital gains

The retailer has expanded sales across its business, but Q4 could show the depth of retail competition and limits to its comeback efforts.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 3, 2020

J. Crew delays proposed Madewell IPO

The retailer showed signs of improvement, but has secured additional time to "thoroughly assess all alternatives," including the separation of its brands.

By Kaarin Moore • March 3, 2020

The running list of 2020 retail bankruptcies

The pandemic ushered in a wave of major bankruptcies — 30 in total — as retailers struggled to pay rent, vendors and other expenses.

By Nami Sumida • Updated Feb. 5, 2021

New ModCloth owner talks post-Walmart rebound plans

Go Global says the brand will close FitShops and its online outlet, and will instead fashion a turnaround dependent on deep knowledge of apparel retail.

By Daphne Howland • March 3, 2020

Walmart names new COO of e-commerce

The promotion of SamsClub.com CEO Jamie Iannone is the latest move in a broad reorganization of the retailer's digital operations.

By Ben Unglesbee • Updated March 5, 2020

Unions press FTC to investigate Amazon's market power

In a petition, labor groups asked the agency to examine the e-commerce giant's effect on prices, competitors and workers. 

By Ben Unglesbee • March 2, 2020

Coronavirus is already impacting malls

The spread of COVID-19 began changing U.S. consumer habits at the end of February, and physical retailers are taking the brunt of that.

By Daphne Howland • March 2, 2020

Walmart's answer to Amazon Prime is in the works

The retailer wouldn't say what perks would be offered with the program, but it represents a departure from its previous e-commerce strategy.

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 28, 2020

Wayfair posts 'eyewatering' $985M loss for the year

As the company's losses continue to grow and it shovels more money into its advertising, questions loom around the future of the business.

By Caroline Jansen • Feb. 28, 2020

NRF says retail sales this year could top $3.9T despite coronavirus woes

The organization calculates growth of 3.5% to 4.1%, but some analysts warn that uncertainty around the growing pandemic could hit hard.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 28, 2020

Bed Bath & Beyond to cut 500 jobs

The struggling home retailer plans to reduce corporate staff by 10%, a move expected to save $85 million in selling, general and administrative costs.

By Caroline Jansen • Feb. 28, 2020

Foot Locker plans 20 new power stores and 125 remodels in 2020

The moves are part of a $275 million investment in stores, digital and supply chain.

By Cara Salpini • Feb. 28, 2020

Stage Stores' latest planned closures top 200

As its transformation stumbles, sources estimate the retailer has cut up to 100 jobs and is eyeing a footprint nearly 30% smaller than it expected. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 28, 2020