Abercrombie & Fitch plans to close 60 US stores in 2018

That's not necessarily as alarming as it sounds, and Abercrombie says the closures are part of a strategy to meet customers in all channels.

By Daphne Howland • March 8, 2018

Foot Locker to close 100 stores this year, and it's okay

The athletic footwear retailer is still figuring out its ideal brick-and-mortar footprint, but it’s on the right track, according to NPD Group’s Matt Powell.

By Daphne Howland • March 7, 2018

Ross sales increase 16%, but shares fall on soft guidance

Considering the off-price sector's advantages in good times and in bad, the retailer has plenty of potential, some analysts say.

By Daphne Howland • March 7, 2018

Dollar Tree's 13% sales growth not enough for Wall Street

The deep discounter increased earnings, same-store sales and its top line — to the tune of $6.36 billion — but fell short of analyst hopes on all counts.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 7, 2018

At Target, it's the year of 'acceleration'

The mass merchant is making major competitive moves by boosting employee wages, rolling out free two-day shipping without a minimum and expanding its Drive Up program.

By Corinne Ruff • March 7, 2018

Fabletics parent prepping Rihanna lingerie line

TechStyle has long depended on celebrities to market its brands, and working with Rihanna can only bolster those efforts.

By Daphne Howland • March 7, 2018

Ascena falters as merchandise misses the mark

Despite declines and increased competition in the apparel space, CEO David Jaffe told analysts not to count out the brand's labels.

By Daphne Howland • March 6, 2018

Target's store and digital investments pay off

The mass merchant reported healthy growth online and in stores, with traffic up 3.2% and e-commerce climbing 29%.

By Corinne Ruff • March 6, 2018

Tower Records founder dies

Russ Solomon died on Sunday, awaiting a whisky refill and watching the Oscars broadcast with "a smart-aleck remark on his lips," the Sacramento Bee reports.

By Daphne Howland • March 6, 2018

Nordstrom rejects family offer as 'inadequate'

Unless family members can sweeten the pot, the department store is ending go-private discussions, and a family spokesperson declined to indicate what those prospects are.

By Daphne Howland • March 6, 2018

Allbirds sells special shoe collection only on Instagram

The brand is one of many beginning to sell exclusive products directly to consumers through social media.

By Robert Williams • March 5, 2018

Target to invest $250M in Twin Cities store remodels

The 28 stores are just a few of the 325 set for a refresh before the end of the year.

By Corinne Ruff • March 5, 2018

The Children’s Place and Gymboree: A tale of two specialty retailers

One invested in inventory technology, assortment and e-commerce. The other went bankrupt. What can the two children's apparel retailers teach retailers?

By Ben Unglesbee • March 5, 2018

Olay boosts engagement 20% with influencer skincare challenge

The beauty brand boosted awareness and Google searches, but missed an opportunity to drive sales on Walmart's website.

By Robert Williams • March 5, 2018

Dollar Tree, Dollar General running neck and neck in the dollar segment

E-commerce still isn't much of a factor, and ongoing price sensitivity will keep lower income shoppers flocking to dollar stores, according to Moody's. 

By Daphne Howland • March 5, 2018

Love Your Melon to open first permanent location

The charity-focused beanie maker previously sold mainly through third-party retailers, but its own store won't be open most days of the month.

By Daphne Howland • March 5, 2018

QVC owner Liberty Interactive to rebrand as Qurate Retail Group

The repositioning is the "culmination of a multi-year evolution," according to the company, which will be led by QVC CEO Mike George.

By Daphne Howland • March 5, 2018

Target pairs up with Hunter, opens accelerator applications

Collaborations with on-trend brands and celebrities continue to shape the company's "cheap chic" reputation, and partnerships with startups may help keep the company ahead of competition.  

By Daphne Howland • March 5, 2018

Retail defaults in 2018 could outpace last year

High debt, underinvestment, competition, changes in consumer spending and other factors that made 2017 abysmal for some retailers haven't gone away, according to S&P. 

By Ben Unglesbee • March 2, 2018

Victoria's Secret trends miss continues to bedevil L Brands

Store traffic and sales are down at the lingerie brand, leaving an opening for even small players to disrupt a category it once ruled.

By Daphne Howland • March 2, 2018

J.C. Penney cuts 360 jobs as sales miss

The department store retailer is slashing jobs at its corporate and support offices as it posts another loss for the year and fourth quarter sales that disappointed Wall Street. 

By Ben Unglesbee • March 2, 2018

Burberry taps designer Riccardo Tisci to replace Christopher Bailey

The designer is known for blending streetwear and luxury fashion, but can he make the brand more relevant to the luxury consumer? 

By Daphne Howland • March 2, 2018

Office Depot's big bet on BizBox

The retailer is transitioning from a supplier of office supplies to a supporter of small business with a brash 14-store test designed to serve millennial entrepreneurs.

By Laura Heller • March 2, 2018

Gap's Athleta takes the fight to Lululemon with over 20% sales growth

Old Navy remains the company's stalwart and the fulcrum of its growth strategy, but Athleta's sales are soaring.

By Daphne Howland • March 2, 2018

Nordstrom mum on go-private talks as sales swell

The department store will no longer report separate e-commerce and offline sales, thanks to what executives deemed a successful breakdown of channels.

By Daphne Howland • March 2, 2018