Abercrombie cuts 150 HQ jobs amid sales woes

The retailer is the latest in the teen apparel space to lose steam.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 27, 2017

Walgreens 'in dialogue' with FTC to finalize Rite Aid merger

Walgreens Boots Alliance's CEO told shareholders that the company and Rite Aid are discussing “all the instruments and all the actions” to make the deal happen.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 27, 2017

Wal-Mart taps Tinseltown talent to craft its Oscars ads

The retailer drafted famous filmmakers Antoine Fuqua, Marc Forster and the team of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg to helm its first Academy Awards ads.  

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 26, 2017

Amazon sails into ocean freight forwarding business

The move could allow Chinese factories a more direct path to American consumers — which would also present major challenges to Amazon's U.S.-based Marketplace sellers.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 26, 2017

Moody's: Retailers to prosper this year — except for department stores

Despite lower inventory levels and favorable seasonal weather, department stores “chalked up one of the worst retail sub-sector sales performances” in the holiday shopping period, a Moody’s analyst said.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 26, 2017

EBay posts strong holiday sales, but marketplace progress still lagging

Despite its growth, the marketplace leader failed to meet the overall pace of e-commerce in the period, and CEO Devin Wenig asked analysts for patience.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 26, 2017

How Sears arrived at death's door

With the glory days behind, and no clear path into the future, many wonder if bankruptcy is inevitable for the once-powerful retailer.

By Laura Klepacki • Jan. 26, 2017

Why do so many Chapter 11 retailers end up liquidating?

High-profile closings have contributed to the perception that retail debtors fight a more uphill battle to restructure than debtors in other verticals. But is perception reality?

By Christa Hart and Amir Agam • Jan. 26, 2017

Target overhauls chemical strategy, vows greater transparency

The retailer pledged to list ingredients in all owned and national brand products by 2020, including generics in fragrance, beauty, baby care, personal care and household cleaning categories.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 26, 2017

Wal-Mart lays off 200 Silicon Valley e-commerce employees

The retail giant’s digital team shakeup continues in the wake of last year’s $3.3 billion acquisition of Jet.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 25, 2017

Gap's Banana Republic president to step down in February

Andi Owen has been with Gap Inc. for a quarter century, but the company may want to jolt its underperforming brand with a leadership shakeup.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 25, 2017

Hedge fund suing American Apparel lenders

Standard General alleges the retailer’s lenders loaded it up with debt ahead of its second bankruptcy and suggested a turnaround was not their priority.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 24, 2017

Sephora lands exclusive with rising beauty brand Skin Laundry

Skin Laundry specializes in a laser and light skin therapy services, as well as related beauty products for use at home.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 24, 2017

Trump vows 'very major' border tax if manufacturing moves abroad

The president called on executives including Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank to devise a plan to increase U.S. manufacturing.

By Corinne Ruff • Jan. 24, 2017

Alibaba Q3 revenue surges thanks to record-shattering Singles Day

The Chinese e-commerce giant remains a “solid, and highly disruptive, retailer,” according to retail research agency and consulting firm Conlumino.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 24, 2017

Wal-Mart, CarSaver team up to sell cars at Supercenters

After a successful pilot in Florida, the retailer and online auto sales company will begin selling cars in Houston, Dallas, Phoenix and Oklahoma City.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 24, 2017

Ascena plus-size segment CEO Heasley abruptly exits

Linda Heasley was promoted in October 2016, adding leadership of the Catherine’s chain to her duties as Lane Bryant CEO.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 24, 2017

Warby Parker to open at least 25 physical stores in 2017

The once pure-play retailer reportedly logs sales of some $3,000 per square foot.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 24, 2017

How Wet Seal washed up on the rocks

The struggling SoCal teen apparel retailer is on the brink of its second Chapter 11 bankruptcy in about two years — and experts say that this time, it isn't coming back from the dead.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 24, 2017

Report: Retailers must reduce US brick-and-mortar footprint by 1B square feet

At the beginning of the last decade, U.S. retailers enjoyed sales of more than $350 per square foot. Those same retailers now generate sales of less than $330 per square foot. 

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 24, 2017

Lowe's names Wong CMO in latest organizational change

This move comes just a few days after the home improvement retailer announced the elimination of 2,400 jobs and the promotion of longtime employee Marshall Croom to CFO.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 23, 2017

Wal-Mart cuts 1,000 HQ jobs, supply chain in crosshairs

The layoffs come amid other belt-tightening and executive shuffling initiatives in the service of bringing together the retailer's stores and online leadership roles as well as expanding its e-commerce operations.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 23, 2017

How retailers can steer clear of ADA lawsuits

Core retail technologies can present accessibility problems for shoppers who are blind or visually impaired. But merchants can reduce the risk of legal action.

By Sue J. Stott, Amanda J. Beane and Jill L. Ripke • Jan. 23, 2017

Coach, Michael Kors reportedly eye Kate Spade ahead of auction

Sources told Bloomberg that six companies are interested in bidding on the handbag retailer, which is preparing for a formal auction this month.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 23, 2017

Amazon revamps HR strategies to aid underperforming employees

The new Pivot program assigns struggling Amazon staffers to so-called Career Ambassadors who offer guidance and support.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 23, 2017