J.C. Penney downgraded as uncertainty looms over 2018

Moody's and S&P lowered the company's credit rating after another poor performance and questions over the retailer's direction since Marvin Ellison's departure. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 20, 2018

Claire's lender readies $1.5B bid for the bankrupt retailer

Oaktree Capital Management is putting its money where its mouth is by bidding on the retailer, an indication lenders see a future for the teen retailer.

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 20, 2018

Planet Fitness eyes malls for ongoing expansion

As landlords scramble to fill space left empty by traditional retailers, a mix of businesses are coming to the rescue.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 20, 2018

Chicago Tribune: Google readying first retail store

The tech giant has experimented with pop-ups, but its widening array of devices makes brick-and-mortar retail an imperative if it's to take on Amazon.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 17, 2018

Nordstrom reclaims the spotlight with 4% leap in comps

The department store retailer has righted its merchandise mix and protected margins both on and offline.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 17, 2018

Alexa-Cortana voice integration speaks its first words

In an increasingly competitive space, the two tech giants just took a big step toward bolstering their competitive positions with an Alexa-Cortana collaboration.

By Dan Alaimo • Aug. 16, 2018

Walmart muscles strongest sales growth in 10 years

By nearly all accounts, it was a banner quarter for the retail giant, which reported that e-commerce sales grew 40%.

By Corinne Ruff • Aug. 16, 2018

Best Buy snaps up health services company GreatCall for $800M

The acquisition may seem far afield for the electronics retailer, but in many ways it was "probably inevitable," according to an analyst.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 16, 2018

J.C. Penney wrestles again with inventory, and loses

The retailer's losses widened and comps barely budged in another lackluster quarter, but executives say they are taking a more focused approach to stocking stores.

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 16, 2018

Kohl's brings Amazon returns to 21 more stores

The unlikely partnership has turned out to be a boon for Kohl's, and makes the expensive problem of online returns much more efficient for Amazon.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 16, 2018

How Walmart rebranded development as an employee benefit

Learning is no longer optional; it's a must-have component of the employee value proposition.

By Riia O'Donnell • Aug. 16, 2018

Walmart taps Ellen DeGeneres for new fashion line

The collections from EV1, which stands for "everyone," is meant to be both inclusive and adorable, the talk show host said.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 15, 2018

Sears CEO offers $400M to buy Kenmore

Through his hedge fund, Eddie Lampert made a formal proposal for the appliance brand and the home improvement unit of the Home Services division, which could bring in cash to the ailing retailer and expand the brand's reach. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 15, 2018

Macy's rebound slows in second quarter

The department store's second quarter isn't quite as bad as it looks, but many stores still lack investment, which could lead to more closures.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 15, 2018

Why a lawsuit against Nike could change everything — or nothing

The athletics retailer has been in the spotlight since March for sexual misconduct allegations, but having a strong brand could protect it from any lasting damage.

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 15, 2018

Destination Maternity loses CFO amid executive turmoil

The struggling apparel retailer has had trouble keeping executives around, with a revolving door in the CEO spot and a tough turnaround underway.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 15, 2018

July retail sales rose 0.6%

But household debt is on the rise, spelling trouble for consumer spending, according to a report from the New York Fed.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 15, 2018

Office Depot tests co-working space in 'Workonomy' expansion

Business services are now front and center for Office Depot and rival Staples as office supplies sales recede.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 14, 2018

Kate Spade begins to pay off for Tapestry

The repositioning of the Kate Spade brand follows in the successful footsteps of the company's Coach renaissance.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 14, 2018

Home Depot rebounds from dampened spring sales

The home improvement retailer is at the mercy of various external forces, but its advantage is that it remains top of mind for consumers.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 14, 2018

Is there life after VF Corp for Lee and Wrangler?

With high-performance athleisure on the rise, spinning off a sluggish denim business seems like an obvious move. But the company may be missing an opportunity for innovation.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 13, 2018

Nike's female employees are 'devalued and demeaned,' new lawsuit claims

Two former employees have filed a suit saying they were paid less than male counterparts and that sexual harassment claims were ignored or mishandled.

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 13, 2018

BCBG opens concept in Soho a year after exiting bankruptcy

Marquee Brands bought most of the brand's assets out of bankruptcy for an undisclosed amount just over a year ago.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 13, 2018

NRF raises 2018 retail sales forecast

The trade group, however, warned that tariffs could upend benefits that higher wages and a strong job market have delivered so far this year.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 13, 2018

10 Amazon myths examined

The e-commerce giant has a reputation as the retail bogeyman, but which tales are true and which ones are exaggerated?

By Corinne Ruff , Ben Unglesbee , Laura Heller , Cara Salpini • Updated Aug. 15, 2018