Moody's: 'Kohl's has the edge'

Despite ongoing struggles, the discount department store enjoys a series of core strengths that bode well for its long-term viability, according to Moody’s Investors Services.

By Daphne Howland • April 19, 2017

Etsy open-sources its sustainability software to developers

The code powering Etsy's waste management program could help fuel other businesses' sustainability programs.

By Dan O'Shea • April 18, 2017

Fashwire raises funding for app enabling consumer reviews of new fashion designs

The startup raised $725,000 in seed funding and is looking for more in a Series A round as it nears the launch of an app that will allow users to review new fashion designs posted by independent designers.

By Dan O'Shea • April 18, 2017

GNC soars on revenue beat, revamped loyalty program

Partially offsetting decreases in revenue was a $4 million increase associated with the company’s change in its loyalty programs.

By Daphne Howland • April 18, 2017

Lord & Taylor inks exclusive deal with makeup guru Bobbi Brown

Brown, who left her namesake cosmetics company late last year, is sticking with her longtime approach of working with department stores.

By Daphne Howland • April 18, 2017

Neiman Marcus takes on more debt to finance interest payments

The move is aimed at preserving the struggling department store’s liquidity, but it only exacerbates its existing $4.9 billion debt burden.

By Daphne Howland • April 18, 2017

Cabela's drops share price to smooth merger with Bass Pro Shops

Georgia bank Synovus has also stepped in to take on Cabela’s customer deposits, in order to enable the bank side of the deal.

By Daphne Howland • April 18, 2017

Commerce report: Core retail sales rose 0.5% in March

The consume price index decline suggests that retailers may have trouble raising prices.

By Davide Savenije , Daphne Howland • April 17, 2017

Rue21 to shutter nearly 400 stores nationwide

Calling it a "difficult but necessary decision," the struggling teen apparel retailer will shut down about one-third of its brick-and-mortar portfolio.

By Davide Savenije • April 17, 2017

Report: BJ's Wholesale is for sale — and Amazon may be interested

A possible sale would make sense for the warehouse retailer’s private equity owners, as well as Amazon's brick-and-mortar ambitions.

By Daphne Howland • April 17, 2017

Bed Bath & Beyond's One Kings Lane plans first brick-and-mortar store

The summer pop-up shop in Southampton, NY will feature home decor expertise as well as retail operations.

By Daphne Howland • April 17, 2017

JC Penney postpones store closures after sales upturn

The revised plan will take advantage of renewed enthusiasm from shoppers, who began flocking to the marked stores even before closing sales had commenced. But there's no indication the stores will get anything more than a temporary reprieve.

By Daphne Howland • April 17, 2017

Crate & Barrel CEO exits abruptly without explanation

Doug Diemoz, who arrived at the home goods and furniture retailer just two years ago, is at the center of a lawsuit from former employer Restoration Hardware.

By Daphne Howland • April 17, 2017

Claire's sales continue to slip

Executives of the struggling teen retailer on Thursday said a "late breaking" holiday sales period continued into the new year.

By Daphne Howland • April 13, 2017

Birchbox reaches profitability, launches new TV campaign

The beauty subscription startup also this week opened a brick-and-mortar store in Paris, which joins its flagship New York location.

By Daphne Howland • April 13, 2017

Toys 'R' Us turns to overseas markets for growth

The toy retailer is opening more stores overseas than in the U.S. amid increased competition.

By Daphne Howland • April 13, 2017

Pier 1 to close up to 25 stores in the coming years

The furniture and home goods retailer is getting a handle on its expenses as it anticipates the arrival next month of former Kmart chief Alasdair James as CEO.

By Daphne Howland • April 13, 2017

Bezos to shareholders: Amazon still on Day 1

“Day 2 is stasis. Followed by irrelevance. Followed by excruciating, painful decline. Followed by death. And that is why it is always Day 1,” Amazon's founder and CEO warned Wednesday in his annual letter to investors.

By Daphne Howland • April 13, 2017

Wal-Mart taps AMS to install 40 MWh of energy storage at California stores

Advanced Microgrid Solutions will put batteries at 27 of the retail giant's locations, helping reduce peak demand and providing grid services to Southern California Edison. 

By Peter Maloney • April 13, 2017

Target taps Workday cloud system to streamline operational processes

The retailer is taking steps to free up time for team members to focus on key guest initiatives, as well as gain insights for quicker, data-driven decision making to support growth and hiring efforts. 

By Dan O'Shea • April 12, 2017

Report: Target's Victoria Beckham collection sales break collaboration record

Target’s stores and website have been spared the frenzy that attended the retailer’s Lilly Pulitzer and Missoni collaborations, perhaps because the retailer ordered more inventory and has cracked down on retail arbitrage.

By Daphne Howland • April 12, 2017

Report: Mall landlords, developers face tight credit

With the perception of increased risk in the retail sector, landlords and developers seeking loans face higher interest rates and more detailed assessments of their tenants, and terms are more conservative, The Wall Street Journal reports.

By Daphne Howland • April 12, 2017

Report: Gymboree prepping Chapter 11 filing as debt comes due

The children’s apparel retailer has been saddled with debt since Bain Capital took over control in a 2010 leveraged buyout.

By Daphne Howland • April 12, 2017

Abercrombie & Fitch inks deal with Asian e-commerce fashion giant Zalora

The deal gives Abercrombie access to more than 600 million Zalora customers across 11 markets, including Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

By Daphne Howland • April 12, 2017

Jo-Ann Stores acquires Creativebug to boost crafting content game

Creativebug's subscription service allows crafting enthusiasts access to more than 1,000 high-definition video classes where they can learn how to paint, draw, sew, quilt, knit, crochet, throw a DIY party and more.

By Dan O'Shea • April 11, 2017