How Brandless built a following with its 'just what matters' approach

Ido Leffler, co-founder and chairman of the direct-to-consumer company, talks about how its values, branding strategy and unique model have made the company a retail standout. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 30, 2018

Walmart to help fund college degrees for associates

The retailer anticipates that over 68,000 employees will enroll in business and supply chain management degrees over the next five years.

By Corinne Ruff • May 30, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

The direct-to-consumer landscape in retail

More mature brands are pursuing exit strategies and expanding their reach, while traditional retailers are increasingly shifting to a DTC model.

By Retail Dive staff

DSW delivers Q1 sales rise amid Ebuys shutdown

The company has a lot of moving parts, including purchasing the rest of Canada's Town Shoes and undergoing a major loyalty revamp.

By Daphne Howland • May 30, 2018

Lowe's reportedly compels managers to sign arbitration agreements

To receive bonuses, managers and assistant managers agree not to pursue claims in court or join a class action, the Huffington Post reports.

By Daphne Howland • May 30, 2018

The decline of department stores just one force reshaping the American mall

Shifts in spending channels, habits and priorities are spurring a dramatic makeover of the format as more than 1,000 department stores are expected to close by 2023.

By Daphne Howland • May 29, 2018

Wesfarmers reportedly dumps Homebase for £1

The Australian group blamed macroeconomics in Europe for souring the business after paying $451 million for the U.K. retailer just two years ago. 

By Daphne Howland • May 29, 2018

Guitar Center adds 2 execs amid online push

The musical instrument retailer is bringing new leaders in to spearhead marketing and e-commerce efforts as the company grapples with debt and changes in its sector. 

By Daphne Howland , Ben Unglesbee • May 29, 2018

Hibbett sales drop as e-commerce rises

The athletics retailer took its time getting into e-commerce, but this quarter the company saw online purchases rise to 7% of total sales.

By Daphne Howland • May 29, 2018

Foot Locker soars on earnings beat

The athletic footwear retailer also beat expectations on margins and sales, but changes in sneaker sales will likely continue to trip it up.

By Daphne Howland • May 25, 2018

Inventory pileup at Gap hurts Q1

A cold spring deprived Old Navy of its usual sales lift, but problems at flagship Gap may be more entrenched. 

By Daphne Howland • May 25, 2018

Urban Outfitters launches third-party marketplace, tests self-checkout

On a call with analysts, the retailer detailed how it is raising its bet on digital, including by adding new payment options and updating its sites and apps.

By Erica Sweeney • May 25, 2018

Williams-Sonoma has a breakout quarter

The home goods retailer reported big gains in sales and earnings at all brands, and is positioned to weather increased competition across channels. 

By Daphne Howland • May 25, 2018

Fanatics completes partnership play with Nike and the NFL

With speed to market enhanced by Fanatics' vertical manufacturing and commerce, Nike will outfit football players and coaches — and Fanatics will outfit their fans.

By Daphne Howland • May 25, 2018

Private equity owner reportedly mulls Eddie Bauer-PacSun merger

Golden Gate Capital acquired both brands out of bankruptcy and has had trouble unloading them.

By Daphne Howland • May 25, 2018

Where will Marvin Ellison lead Lowe's?

The outgoing J.C. Penney CEO will take the reins at Lowe's after a lackluster performance in the first quarter of the year. 

By Corinne Ruff • May 24, 2018

PetSmart hires new CEO

Academy Sports + Outdoors' J.K. Symancyk has a few issues to grapple with, including the pet supply retailer's debt and losses at its Chewy e-commerce site.

By Daphne Howland • May 24, 2018

Kroger buys meal kit maker Home Chef for $200M

The deal includes $500 million in additional incentives if the kit company hits performance goals around online and in-store sales.

By Jeff Wells • May 24, 2018

Best Buy stokes growth despite mobile store closures

The electronics retailer is proving that its stores are important even in an era when digital sales are accelerating.

By Daphne Howland • May 24, 2018

Tiffany blooms with millennial-focused Paper Flowers

The iconic jeweler is ready for growth in a more favorable macro environment as new designs resonate with young and old customers alike.

By Daphne Howland • May 24, 2018

L Brands' profits fall as Victoria's Secret fights to keep customers

The Victoria's Secret push-up is getting serious push-back, and the brand hasn't adjusted its marketing to evolving consumer tastes.

By Daphne Howland • May 24, 2018

Kohl's boosts margins with 7% inventory reduction

The retailer's omnichannel strategy involves leveraging its stores as fulfillment centers, serving online orders while driving foot traffic to brick-and-mortar stores.

By Shefali Kapadia • May 23, 2018

Traffic to Target stores strongest in 10 years

It's been an expensive quarter for Target with significant spend on stores and digital fulfillment, but the investment appears to be paying off with customers.

By Corinne Ruff • May 23, 2018

Toy mogul drops his bid to save Toys R Us in the US

Isaac Larian made a passionate case for saving a downsized version of the toy retailer's domestic operations, but came up short against creditor demands. 

By Ben Unglesbee • May 23, 2018

Ralph Lauren is still struggling in North America

The brand may need to take a more nuanced approach to its pullback from department stores and off-price retailers, analysts say.

By Daphne Howland • May 23, 2018

Will J.C. Penney's turnaround ever end?

More than half a century ago, the department store retailer anchored itself to the American mall. But customers have moved on, and so has the CEO. 

By Ben Unglesbee • May 23, 2018