Home Depot poised to build on holiday boost

The home improvement retailer sold more decorations and accessories thanks to improved marketing and in-store execution, and analysts have high expectations for the year.  

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 21, 2018

Headington buys another high-concept retailer

The Texas-based developer is doubling down on upscale, unique stores with its acquisition of Tenoversix, which sells curated apparel, home goods and art.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 21, 2018

Walmart pummeled on slower e-commerce growth

Revenue, comps and traffic all increased at Walmart, but profits fell and digital disappointed as sales in the channel slowed compared with previous periods. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 20, 2018

Gap brand CEO to leave

Gap Inc. acknowledged weakness in its namesake Gap brand and announced a new growth strategy last summer.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 20, 2018

Albertsons acquires (the rest of) Rite Aid

The grocery chain said it's buying the remainder of the pharmacy retailer's stores not going to Walgreen's, creating a company with $83 billion in revenues.

By Jeff Wells • Feb. 20, 2018

Chinese pharma company grabs major stake in GNC

The move by Harbin Pharmaceutical Group could be a lifesaver for GNC, which has struggled in recent years.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 20, 2018

Walmart revamping apparel brands in punch back against Amazon, Target

The push comes amid evidence that the retail giant has much to lose as Amazon grows its private-label apparel assortment.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 20, 2018

J. Crew taps Starbucks digital exec

Adam Brotman is widely credited with spearheading the coffeehouse chain's mobile payment and loyalty innovations.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 20, 2018

Amazon to pay disgruntled workers up to $5K to leave

"The Offer" is essentially a form of self-select weed out, where employees who are no longer invested in the job are given an incentive to quit.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Feb. 16, 2018

Sears could squeeze out positive profit for Q4

But the ailing retailer's sales have continued down an abysmal path, even during a holiday season that lifted the department store sector.

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 16, 2018

FAO Schwarz to return with new stores and a New York flagship

The iconic toy retailer has plans for airport locations in the U.S. and Canada, and a series of stores in China. 

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 16, 2018

H&M reveals e-commerce future

Executives asked for patience as they build online operations and new brands, but some investors are worried about the flagship.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 16, 2018

Prime members drive Amazon apparel sales

Apparel shoppers see Amazon essentially as an online off-price retailer, expecting good value at less than full price, according to a new report.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 15, 2018

Home Depot launches mobile job app for spring hiring

The home improvement retailer needs to fill more than 80,000 seasonal positions for spring.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 15, 2018

J. Crew to partner with WeWork

The retailer will open pop-ups at several WeWork locations and host panel discussions with the shared office space company.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 15, 2018

NRF: January's retail sales nearly as good as the holidays

The association paints a rosier picture than the Commerce Department, but 2018 promises much uncertainty for retailers as consumers face inflation, sluggish wages and heavy debt loads. 

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 14, 2018

Ace Hardware sales climb 5% in 2017

The hardware co-op added millions in new sales from last year's acquisition of the Grommet as it also posts strong same-store sales and builds new locations. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 14, 2018

Guess investigating 'allegations of improper conduct' against co-founder

Things are only getting worse for the brand, which announced that a special committee is looking into sexual harassment allegations against Paul Marciano, which he denies.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 14, 2018

How to close stores and still succeed

Considering the impact shuttering stores has on digital sales, retailers are better off transforming them into showrooms or BOPIS depots, writes Lee Peterson of WD Partners. 

By Lee Peterson • Feb. 14, 2018

Genesco is putting Lids up for sale

Under pressure from activist investors, the company is looking to unload the ailing hat seller and focus on its shoe business.

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 14, 2018

January retail sales plummet

Sales posted the largest decline in 11 months, falling 0.3%, but most segments showed year-over-year growth.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 14, 2018

Walmart to consolidate department managers in some stores

The retail giant is eliminating positions in the mobile department and online pickup areas, but a spokesman said he doesn't anticipate major layoffs, disputing recent reports. 

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 14, 2018

Sam's Club perks up premium membership with free shipping

As part of a broader effort to reduce complexities, the wholesale retailer is also combining savings and business programs as competition with Amazon heats up. 

By Corinne Ruff • Feb. 14, 2018

J.C. Penney cutting 670 jobs, closing distribution center

The company announced a plan to align its supply chain with "future" needs, indicating more changes could be coming. 

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 14, 2018

Whole Foods suppliers balk at new buying policies

Vendors are being hit with fees and other policy changes, and some of them are mad enough to quit doing business with the retailer.

By Cathy Siegner • Feb. 14, 2018