Retailers cut 30K jobs in March

February and March job losses in the retail sector were the worst two-month decline since 2009.

By Daphne Howland • April 10, 2017

HHGregg throws in the towel, will close all 220 stores

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana has approved the bankrupt electronics retailer's plan to liquidate its assets, an effort that is now underway.

By Daphne Howland • April 10, 2017

Report: Mall vacancy rates mostly flat in Q1

Mall vacancy rates have risen in 28 of 77 U.S. metro areas in 2017, down from 30 metro areas during the fourth quarter of last year, according to real estate research firm Reis.

By Daphne Howland • April 7, 2017

Walgreens execs say they'll find another buyer if Fred's deal falls through

“Fred’s Pharmacy remains committed to purchasing additional assets, including up to 1,200 Rite Aid stores, to the extent necessary to obtain the FTC’s approval of the transaction,” Fred’s CEO Mike Bloom told analysts Thursday.

By Daphne Howland • April 7, 2017

Eastern Outfitters plans to shutter 48 Eastern Mountain Sports, Bob's Stores locations

Some 2,600 jobs are at stake as the private equity-owned company works with U.K. sports retailer Sports Direct International to figure out which stores to close.

By Daphne Howland • April 7, 2017

Amazon adding 5K work-from-home customer service jobs

Amazon plans to hire 30,000 part-time roles over the next year, on top of more than 100,000 full-time, full-benefit positions it's creating over the next 18 months.

By Daphne Howland • April 7, 2017

Under Armour cuts jobs from Connected Fitness unit

The Connected Fitness unit spearheads the sportswear brand’s array of mobile apps, including UA Record, MapMyFitness, MyFitnessPal, Endomondo and others.

By Dan O'Shea • April 6, 2017

Cross-border e-commerce enabler Flow earns $16M in Series A

The startup's cloud-based software platform leverages artificial intelligence and virtualization to support multi-currency pricing, rapid shipping, international payment options, taxes and duties, and simplified returns.

By Dan O'Shea • April 6, 2017

Bebe to shutter 21 stores, mulling more closures

The women’s apparel retailer is making good on its store closure plans, though it’s still not clear if it will opt to sell only online.

By Daphne Howland • April 6, 2017

Coach taps ex-Bergdorf chief Schulman to lead flagship brand

Joshua Schulman, former head of Neiman Marcus’s NMG International unit, will report to Coach Inc. CEO Victor Luis when he steps into his new position in June.

By Daphne Howland • April 6, 2017

Forever 21 to add 40 new F21 RED stores by year's end

The brick-and-mortar expansion hikes the discount unit's store count up to 70 nationwide.

By Daphne Howland • April 6, 2017

Bed Bath & Beyond tops expectations despite store struggles

Same-store online sales rose more than 20% in the fourth quarter while same-store physical sales fell in the low single-digit percentage range.

By Daphne Howland • April 6, 2017

Report: Rue21 misses payments, heads toward bankruptcy

The struggling apparel retailer is looking for new lenders, but analysts don’t think it can take on any more debt.

By Daphne Howland • April 6, 2017

Wal-Mart cutting 300 jobs in information systems unit

The layoffs come after two separate rounds of cuts announced in January and barely a week after a trio of Wal-Mart tech executives were elevated to new jobs.

By Dan O'Shea • April 5, 2017

Amazon to use Plug Power fuel cells to boost fulfillment network efficiencies

The e-commerce goliath plans to power industrial equipment at 11 fulfillment centers with Plug Power’s GenKey technology, corresponding to faster charging times, reduced costs and energy efficiencies.

By Dan O'Shea • April 5, 2017

Target touts Victoria Beckham pre-launch events for REDcard holders

The retailer is rewarding its loyalty card and mobile app users while differentiating its home decor and apparel merchandise at a time of intense competition.

By Daphne Howland • April 5, 2017

Payless files for bankruptcy, to close 400 stores

The shoe retailer has entered into an agreement with its lenders that it says will allow it to make a speedy exit from the Chapter 11 process.

By Daphne Howland • April 5, 2017

Walgreens stumbles on sales, still optimistic on Rite Aid deal

While currency translations hit Walgreens Boots Alliance's international sales hard in Q2, U.S. pharmacy sales rose 3.7% year over year, accounting for 66.5% of the division's sales in the quarter.    

By Daphne Howland • April 5, 2017

Pier 1 taps former Kmart chief as CEO

Alasdair James had served as president and chief member officer of Kmart since 2014, but left in March, becoming the third high-profile Sears Holdings executive to depart within the last three months.

By Daphne Howland • April 5, 2017

Report: Staples exploring sale as Amazon threat escalates

Still reeling from its failed $6.3 billion merger with rival Office Depot, the office supplies retailer said last month it will shutter 70 stores in 2017.

By Daphne Howland • April 5, 2017

Petco acquires PetCoach, adding digital pet health resource to offerings

PetCoach co-founder and CEO Brock Weatherup will join Petco to drive growth through innovation and enterprise-wide, consumer-focused tech initiatives.

By Dan O'Shea • April 4, 2017

Fanatics buys Majestic months after winning deal to replace it as MLB partner

Fanatics and Under Armour last year teamed up to win a 10-year contract from Major League Baseball to make player uniforms and manufacture and sell licensed fan apparel.

By Dan O'Shea • April 4, 2017

Report: Q1 on track for worst retail earnings since late 2014

Retail earnings this quarter are on track to fall 6.8% year over year, the worst decline since a 7.1% drop in the fourth quarter of 2013, according to a report from Retail Metrics.

By Daphne Howland • April 4, 2017

Ralph Lauren shuttering New York Polo store, more closures to come

The fashion brand seems intent on rationalizing its store footprint after a global expansion that some analysts say left the company with too many brick-and-mortar locations. 

By Daphne Howland • April 4, 2017

Dollar General scooping up 323 former Family Dollar stores

As many as 100 corporate positions and 2,700 store jobs are at risk, and some Dollar Express stores will be liquidated.

By Daphne Howland • April 4, 2017