Toys R Us has $236M baseline bid for Canadian unit

A Toronto-based financial firm has offered a bid to buy the bankrupt toy retailer's Canadian unit, but it makes no mention of preserving U.S. stores. 

By Ben Unglesbee • April 20, 2018

Pier 1 struggles amid retailers 'replicating' its aesthetic

According to the company, other furniture retailers have begun copying popular merchandise and selling it at lower price points, leaving Pier 1 in a tight spot.

By Daphne Howland • April 20, 2018

Walmart testing more lax dress code

The retail giant is hoping to attract more workers in a tight market after bumping up its hourly pay and some benefits in January.

By Daphne Howland • April 20, 2018

Home Depot to add 1,000 tech jobs

Despite already being a leader in digital experience, Home Depot's latest move would increase the company's focus on technology.

By Dan O'Shea • April 19, 2018

What will Prime loyalty look like at Whole Foods?

The grocer is discontinuing its current rewards program on May 2, setting the stage for Amazon's membership platform to take over. 

By Jeff Wells • April 19, 2018

Hudson's Bay replaces marketing chief after just 5 months

Bari Harlam was named chief marketing officer this week, replacing Milton Pappas, who had been appointed to the role in November.

By Daphne Howland • April 19, 2018

Casper plans brick-and-mortar push into Canada

Sales have reached $300 million, and are outpacing those south of the border, CEO Philip Krim told the Financial Post.

By Daphne Howland • April 19, 2018

And the winner of the latest Amazon-Best Buy deal is...

It's a win-win for both retailers, but Amazon needs this new deal more than Best Buy, analysts say.

By Daphne Howland • April 18, 2018

Amazon's app goes abroad with new international shopping feature

Consumers can browse more than 45 million items in their preferred language and currency and more easily move items through customs.

By Robert Williams • April 18, 2018

Bon-Ton hits the end of the road as judge approves liquidation

A bid by creditors and liquidators to wind down the retailer has a court's OK, setting in motion the end of the retailer's run. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Updated April 19, 2018

Starbucks will close all stores for a day of racial bias training

The company, which bills itself as an ethical employer, was put on its back foot by what CEO Kevin Johnson calls the "reprehensible" arrest of two black men at one of its stores.

By Kathryn Moody • April 18, 2018

Nike loses second executive in two days

Greg Thompson, Nike's vice president of footwear, is the latest exec to walk out the door, preceded by Antoine Andrews, Trevor Edwards and Jayme Martin.

By Cara Salpini • Updated April 19, 2018

Toys R Us reportedly rejects toy maker's bid to save 200 US stores

Isaac Larian's $890 million bid to acquire the toy retailer's Canadian business as well as some domestic stores fell short at a Tuesday auction, according to the Wall Street Journal. 

By Ben Unglesbee • April 18, 2018

Best Buy, Amazon team up to sell smart Fire TVs

This is the second major partnership between the rivals, despite Amazon's incursion onto Best Buy's turf.

By Daphne Howland • April 18, 2018

Big Lots seeks new CEO

The discount retailer is in the midst of a brand pivot, as CEO David Campisi officially steps down after five years to focus on his health and on serving his community.

By Daphne Howland • April 18, 2018

Supreme Court appears hesitant to overturn 'antiquated' sales tax precedent

During oral arguments in South Dakota v. Wayfair, some justices suggested Congress may be better equipped to tackle the issue. But states and companies are looking for a firm decision.

By Corinne Ruff • April 18, 2018

Meijer expands 'Shop & Scan' mobile checkout app

The grocery chain lets shoppers scan bar codes with a smartphone as they shop to cut down on checkout times.

By Robert Williams • April 17, 2018

Bon-Ton reportedly set to liquidate at auction

A group including two mall developers did not bid at an auction for the bankrupt department store retailer's assets, which has set the stage for liquidators to wind down Bon-Ton's business, Reuters reports.

By Ben Unglesbee • April 17, 2018

Amazon reportedly drops plan to distribute pharmaceuticals to hospitals

The report is not entirely unexpected. Amazon in December canceled its pharmaceutical wholesaler application in Maine and told state regulators it did not intend to sell drugs.

By David Lim • April 17, 2018

CVS taps longtime exec as retail chief

The pharmacy retailer announced the appointment of Kevin Hourican to replace Helena Foulkes the same day Amazon was said to be drastically scaling back its own pharmacy ambitions.

By Daphne Howland • April 17, 2018

Retailer spending for IT, cloud on the rise

A Retail Systems Research report finds that 72% of retailers plan on increasing their IT-related spending over the next three years.

By Dan O'Shea • April 16, 2018

Commerce Dept: March retail sales rise 0.6%

An early Easter helped retailers overcome lousy weather in some areas, but that means April could get hit, especially with tax refunds down.

By Daphne Howland • April 16, 2018

MGA CEO makes $675M bid to save 200 US Toys R Us stores

Isaac Larian submitted a bid that would salvage 200 stores in the U.S. as well as the retailer's Canadian stores. 

By Ben Unglesbee • April 16, 2018

Puma boasts solid first quarter as independent brand

In January, French luxury conglomerate Kering divested itself of the athletic shoe and apparel brand, but Puma continues to connect well with shoppers through streetwear styles.

By Daphne Howland • April 16, 2018

Camping World is still in acquisition mode

The RV company, which snapped up Gander Mountain last year, just bought Cullum & Maxey Camping Center and has plans to expand to more markets.

By Daphne Howland • April 16, 2018