CVS snaps up Fred's specialty pharmacy unit for $40M

The news comes just one week after Fred's announced it would pursue a sale of the business.

By Daphne Howland • Updated May 8, 2018

How much upside is left for department stores?

Analysts with Deutsche Bank see the sector as "structurally challenged" and their report sent stocks falling. 

By Ben Unglesbee • May 8, 2018

Amazon reportedly could grab 10% of retail sales by 2020

Telsey analysts see the e-commerce juggernaut as unstoppable, but others are not so sure.

By Daphne Howland • May 8, 2018

Happy Socks to open 30 more stores

The Swedish brand is coming to America with six planned stand-alone locations on both coasts, and according to founder Viktor Tell, "The sky’s the limit."

By Daphne Howland • May 8, 2018

Bloomingdale's deploys employee training tech to reduce safety claims

Employee training is becoming more important than ever in a new retail landscape, but retailers need to see proof of its business impact.

By Dan O'Shea • May 7, 2018

Nike CEO apologizes for 'boys club' culture

But the athletics retailer has a lot more to do to correct its reported "toxic culture" problems, experts say, and other retailers should be taking note.

By Daphne Howland • May 7, 2018

Exiting NAFTA could cost retailers $5.3B per year

Talks about renegotiating the trade deal have been dragging on for months. Scrapping it could lead to tariff increases, reduced consumer spending and job losses, according to a report from A.T. Kearney.

By Corinne Ruff • May 7, 2018

Destination Maternity investor blasts retailer for 21% sales drop

The maternity apparel retailer is headed for a fight over its choice of board members with a group of investors who say the company has been mismanaged. 

By Ben Unglesbee • May 7, 2018

30 minutes with Rent the Runway's CEO

Jennifer Hyman is leading retail into the sharing economy with well-oiled logistics and a truly disruptive model — one where customers are encouraged not to buy anything.

By Corinne Ruff • May 7, 2018

American Apparel to re-open Los Angeles store

The location on Melrose Avenue was once a larger American Apparel store, and, if all goes well, it could be the first of many.

By Daphne Howland • May 7, 2018

Lands' End opens first of several stores this year

The preppy apparel retailer is coming out from under the shadow of its former parent Sears, which is rapidly closing stores that still include many Lands' End locations.

By Daphne Howland • May 7, 2018

Fred's puts pharmacy biz up for sale

The drugstore retailer is also revamping its front-of-the-store assortment and looking to stoke a treasure hunt atmosphere in the aftermath of the failed Walgreens-Rite Aid merger.

By Daphne Howland • May 7, 2018

Nestlé pays $7.15B for rights to sell Starbucks products globally

The deal gives the Swiss company a stronger presence in coffee, a segment growing in popularity as consumers look to healthier beverages and RTD options.

By Christopher Doering • Updated May 7, 2018

Walmart reportedly beats Amazon to Flipkart with $15B bid

Google parent Alphabet may also join in, taking a 75% stake in India's major homegrown e-commerce retailer.

By Daphne Howland • May 4, 2018

Struggling Ascena still has time for turnaround, Moody's says

Analysts with the ratings firm think that the retailer — which runs Ann Taylor and Loft, among others — has enough liquidity and new omnichannel capabilities to compete, at least in the short run. 

By Ben Unglesbee • May 4, 2018

In Parkland aftermath, Dick's is lobbying for gun control

The move follows stricter limits to Dick's firearms sales and strong statements from CEO Edward Stack in the wake of the Florida shooting.

By Daphne Howland • May 4, 2018

Finish Line shareholder sues to hold up JD Sports merger

The merger was considered good news for both retailers, but Edward Martinez alleges that the sales process was "hastily conducted."

By Daphne Howland • May 4, 2018

Cowen: Target is 'hitting its retail stride'

After suffering a string of quarterly declining comparable sales last year, Target is back — but that doesn't mean the company can kick its feet up.

By Corinne Ruff • May 3, 2018

Amazon launches new private-label pet brand Wag

The retail giant, eight years after its marketplace debut, also released its first report on the small- and medium-sized businesses selling there.

By Daphne Howland • May 3, 2018

Sears launches online leasing program

The department store retailer first launched its leasing program — which, on the longest-term leases, can charge customers as much as three times the ticket price of an item — in 2012. 

By Ben Unglesbee • May 3, 2018

CVS homes in on healthcare while stores languish

Executives are squarely focused on its health care ambitions, but cleaning up its stores and its retail offer would help that.

By Daphne Howland • May 3, 2018

Kohl's names new merchandising chief

Doug Howe comes from QVC and HSN parent Qurate Retail Group, but his 30-year merchandising resume includes stints at Gap Inc., Walmart and May Department Stores.

By Daphne Howland • May 3, 2018

Crate & Barrel collaborates with Reese Witherspoon's Draper James

This is the second major retail partnership this year for the celebrity's southern heritage lifestyle brand.

By Corinne Ruff • May 2, 2018

Macy's buys Story concept

The magazine-like boutique's founder will join Macy's as an executive in charge of brand experiences across the retailer's business.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 2, 2018

Birchbox sells majority stake to longtime investor

After talks reportedly fell through with QVC, according to Recode, Birchbox's CEO announced that hedge fund Viking Global Investors will take over a majority of the business.

By Corinne Ruff • May 2, 2018