Apparel collapse drags down retail in April

A significant e-commerce boost and a rise in grocery were unable to make up for record declines in clothing, furniture and electronics sales.

By Daphne Howland • May 15, 2020

Rite Aid partners with Instacart to deliver healthcare, grocery essentials

The drug store retailer is following a larger trend of companies strengthening their delivery options during the pandemic. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • May 15, 2020

Dillard's swings to $162M loss as Q1 sales plummet 47%

The Southern department store was slow to close some stores as the pandemic spread, and will have reopened a majority of its fleet by next week.

By Daphne Howland • May 15, 2020

Apparel faces post-pandemic decline even as stores reopen

While there's evidence of pent-up demand, a shift to e-commerce and wary consumers will hurt revenue and margins, analysts say.

By Daphne Howland • May 14, 2020

Bed Bath & Beyond taps L Brands exec as brand chief

Cindy Davis is CEO Mark Tritton's latest executive hire as he works to build out his team and turn around the struggling home retailer.

By Caroline Jansen • May 14, 2020

J.C. Penney pays out nearly $10M to execs as finances falter

The retailer, reported to be near bankruptcy, said it made compensation changes "to retain and continue to motivate" its top management team. 

By Ben Unglesbee • May 14, 2020

Hedge fund pushes for Neiman Marcus-Saks Fifth Avenue merger

Mudrick Capital Management envisions downsizing Neiman Marcus by nearly 30 locations and using the bankruptcy process to get the job done.

By Daphne Howland • May 13, 2020

J.C. Penney makes a missed $17M payment amid reports of looming bankruptcy

The retailer avoided default on its term loan facility while it reportedly is in talks with lenders to fund it in Chapter 11.

By Ben Unglesbee • Updated May 15, 2020

Neiman Marcus says it has a plan

But can a 113-year-old bankrupt luxury department store make a comeback in the middle of a pandemic?

By Daphne Howland • May 13, 2020

Your business is essential. How do you protect workers during a pandemic?

Cleaning should be much more regular, gloves don't do much to fight coronavirus and other tips from health experts. 

By Matt Leonard • May 13, 2020

As states grapple with reopening, retail industry thinks it has a 'blueprint'

Trade groups have put together checklists and procedures for retailers as governments reopen their economies and COVID-19 continues to spread.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 12, 2020

Half of Simon's malls to reopen within a week

Nearly 80 of the developer's retail properties are already running again, and CEO David Simon told analysts there's pent-up demand from consumers.

By Daphne Howland • May 12, 2020

GNC buys time on its debt

The vitamin and supplement retailer had said it did not have the cash to pay the debt coming due and that Chapter 11 might be an option.

By Ben Unglesbee • Updated May 18, 2020

Costco's sales pinched by safety restrictions

The retailer said mandatory social distancing measures, stay-at-home orders and the closure of some of its stores decreased April traffic and sales.

By Krishna Thakker • May 11, 2020

Stage Stores files for bankruptcy with plans to liquidate, unless a savior emerges

The retailer was struggling as it tried to convert from department stores to off-price, and then the pandemic hit. Without a buyer, it plans to wind down. 

By Ben Unglesbee • May 11, 2020

Retail jobs fall by 2.1M in April

Also alarming for retailers is the government's report Friday that overall unemployment soared to 14.7%, a blow to already wary consumers.

By Daphne Howland • May 11, 2020

Staffing in a pandemic: Which retailers have furloughed, laid off or hired employees

Of 67 apparel retailers analyzed by Retail Dive, 41 have furloughed employees, while 9 have laid off employees.

By Cara Salpini • May 8, 2020

Neiman Marcus files Chapter 11

The retailer already has $675 million in debtor-in-possession financing and a $750 million exit package, but its pandemic-related challenges won't go away.

By Daphne Howland • May 7, 2020

CVS profit rockets up 41%, but warns April COVID-19 hit could persist

The company reported a significant jump in use of digital and at-home offerings in the quarter, with retail prescription home delivery up more than 1,000%.

By Rebecca Pifer • May 7, 2020

Gap Inc. has plans to reopen 800 stores by the end of May

The company last month said it may not open all of its locations after the pandemic eases, and some analysts believe that's wise.

By Daphne Howland • May 7, 2020

J. Jill downgraded on 'very dim turnaround prospects'

As COVID-19 depresses the apparel sector, the already vulnerable women's clothing specialist is burning cash and taking on extra debt.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 7, 2020

And the malls come tumbling down

A lot of shopping centers have been on the decline for years. The pandemic will prevent some from ever recovering.

By Daphne Howland • May 7, 2020

How J. Crew's bankruptcy sets the stage for a 'shakeout' in retail

The iconic company struggled for years with debt and brand missteps. Now it may be a harbinger of what's to come for distressed retailers.

By Ben Unglesbee , Daphne Howland • May 6, 2020

Roots to liquidate U.S. unit in bankruptcy

The Canadian outdoor apparel brand was already losing money on its U.S. subsidiary before a pandemic upended the sector. 

By Ben Unglesbee • May 6, 2020

Lord & Taylor reportedly prepping to liquidate

The department store is delaying a bankruptcy filing in order to hold going-out-of-business sales after stores are allowed to reopen, Reuters reported. 

By Daphne Howland • May 6, 2020