7 retailers that made pivotal deals in 2018

Walmart made its largest deal ever — abroad — Amazon made moves in pharma and Macy's absorbed popular store concept creator Story. Here are the deals that have defined the year.

By Corinne Ruff , Ben Unglesbee , Cara Salpini , Kaarin Moore • Nov. 5, 2018

Lowe's fills vacant CIO role with retail tech veteran

Seemantini Godbole fills the CIO role after the home improvement company quietly announced its vacancy in its Q2 FY18 earnings call.

By Samantha Schwartz • Nov. 5, 2018

Target unwraps new direction for holiday ads and expands in-store mobile

Employees will use handheld devices to scan items and accept payments so customers can skip the line. 

By Erica Sweeney • Nov. 5, 2018

Tariffs threaten The Container Store's turnaround

The retailer says it is working to mitigate the impact of new tariffs on Chinese goods, which made up 37% of its products last year.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 2, 2018

Macy's chief merchandiser to depart

Jeff Kantor's retirement is just the latest executive exit from the iconic department store.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 2, 2018

FabFitFun tops 1M subscribers

The service may have a leg up in the troubled subscription segment, due to its exclusive content and less frequent deliveries.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 2, 2018

Is Amazon Go creating competition for grocers?

Despite strong results from the high-tech stores in Seattle and Chicago, the format isn't a major threat to traditional grocers — for now.

By Jessica Dumont • Nov. 1, 2018

Wayfair spending even more on customer acquisition

The home goods retailer has a "superior experience" in the online furniture market but also "still has a lot to prove," according to one analyst.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 1, 2018

Build-A-Bear expands its reach ahead of the holidays

The toy retailer is expanding into seasonal pop-ups and a partnership with FAO Schwarz. 

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 1, 2018

CVS tests fee-based membership program in Boston

CarePass targets older consumers and positions the drugstore retailer against Amazon.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 1, 2018

Coach, Kate Spade drive Tapestry's momentum

Net sales at the apparel and accessories conglomerate rose 7% in the recent quarter as it transforms into a lifestyle company.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 31, 2018

Barnes & Noble alleges ex-CEO 'sabotaged' sale

The big-box book retailer has snapped back at a lawsuit filed by former CEO Demos Parneros. The company now alleges he's to blame for the crumbling of a deal this summer.

By Corinne Ruff • Oct. 31, 2018

New CEO to take over at New Balance

The changing of the guard comes at a time when the company has benefited from young consumers' appreciation for retro styles and smaller brands.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 31, 2018

Walmart revamps stores, e-commerce for the holidays

The retail giant is making shopping easier by leveraging its stores, revamping its website and blurring its channels.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 31, 2018

Comic Dive: Night of the Living Brand

It's scary for brands as consumer preferences and technology evolve. Some may make it out alive but others will live on only in memory.

By John Hazard and Lisa Burdige • Oct. 31, 2018

Nordstrom unwraps an array of gifting services

The company is rolling out its "Let's Go Gifting" push with an ad campaign from Theo Wenner, who has worked with Chanel, Chloe and The Black Keys.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 31, 2018

American Apparel relaunches online in Canada

The brand has no plans for stores, and doesn't seem to have much of a plan to move past controversial founder Dov Charney's vibe, either.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 31, 2018

NYMag to launch The Strategist beauty holiday pop-up

A temporary shop in SoHo for the holidays makes sense for the magazine's beauty news and e-commerce website.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 30, 2018

Under Armour struggles on at home with 'more pain' ahead

It's going to be a long haul for the activewear brand, as Nike dominates and smaller players entice many customers.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 30, 2018

Banana Republic to open Cos Bar beauty shop-in-shop

The luxury cosmetics retailer is about one-third its usual size and is staffed by Cos Bar employees, according to a Women's Wear Daily report.

By Cara Salpini • Updated Oct. 30, 2018

Sam’s Club ‘close’ to unveiling cashierless Amazon Go rival

After hinting at the tech-heavy store concept this summer, the big-box club retailer said it will soon open a store that banks on scan-and-go tech.

By Corinne Ruff • Oct. 30, 2018

Walmart to transform supercenters into 'town centers'

Restaurants, gyms and green spaces will start popping up around stores nationwide as the retailer pushes for more shoppers and greater efficiency.

By Jeff Wells • Oct. 29, 2018

Avenue Stores taps influencers, shoppable Instagram Stories in app refresh

The company's focus on mobile strategies emphasizes the importance of commerce features made specifically for today's on-the-go consumers.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 29, 2018

Blue Apron to sell meal kits on Walmart's Jet.com

The struggling meal kit provider will offer four choices to customers in New York City and neighboring northern New Jersey starting at $16.99.

By Christopher Doering • Oct. 29, 2018

Macy's adds Buzzfeed's Goodful brand to home assortment

The media company last year announced plans to grow its brand stable, and since has also tied up with Walmart on its cooking line.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 29, 2018