Sears outsources Kenmore brand to Permasteel for grill line

The fading retailer continues to extract value from its most prized assets — first its real estate, then its Craftsman tool brand and now its household appliances brand.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 22, 2017

Nordstrom's SPACE launches fashion incubator 'The Lab'

Showcasing five emerging fashion designers each season, the boutiques take a page from Silicon Valley’s concept of accelerating promising new ventures

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 22, 2017

Tiffany bows to activist pressure, shakes up board in search for new CEO

The jeweler is adding three new board members through an agreement with hedge fund Jana Partners LLC and former Bulgari CEO Francesco Trapani, who together own 5.1% of outstanding shares.  

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 22, 2017

Macy's warns sales declines will continue after dismal Q4

The struggling department store continues to suffer from constant markdowns and inventory pile-ups, according to analysts.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 21, 2017

Wal-Mart boosts in-store, e-commerce sales on low prices

The retailer's fourth quarter results came at a cost, but analysts say lower margins are a "necessary evil" as the retail giant shifts to a greater focus on digital sales.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 21, 2017

Home Depot rides strong housing market to Q4 earnings beat

As the economy continues to hum and property values stay steady, American consumers are plowing their money into their homes — spending many see as an investment, not simply an indulgence.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 21, 2017

Toys 'R' Us lays off roughly 250 corporate employees

Like many retailers, the struggling toy seller was forced to lean on promotions to drive customers to buy during the holiday season.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 21, 2017

Alibaba, offline giant Bailian team up on far-reaching retail tech initiative

The companies will leverage big data capabilities to boost integration between offline stores, merchandise, logistics and payment tools to improve efficiency and enhance consumer experience.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 20, 2017

Report: Apparel company Sunrise Brands bids on The Limited

Sunrise, which runs apparel brands from celebrities like Eva Longoria and Melissa McCarthy as well as Seven7 Jeans and American Rag, must top the $25.75 million stalking horse offer from private equity firm Sycamore Partners.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 17, 2017

Ralph Lauren taps its first CMO

Jonathan Bottomley will be the company’s first-ever chief marketing officer, and Tom Mendenhall will be brand president for its all-important fleet of men’s brands.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 17, 2017

GNC plummets on $433M Q4 loss, pleads for patience

"This performance simply does not reflect the business model we have today or what we are now capable of delivering for our customers and our shareholders," CEO Robert F. Moran told analysts Thursday.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 17, 2017

ReplyYes lands $6.5M to further m-commerce platform for lifestyle brands

The startup has also inked an exclusive agreement with Universal Music Group to create music, tickets and merchandise shopping opportunities for UMG artists and their fans worldwide.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 16, 2017

Facing investor pressure, Kate Spade to explore 'strategic alternatives'

Shares of the luxury retailer jumped 10% in pre-market trading on Thursday after the company gave in to investors clamoring for a takeover.

By Corinne Ruff • Feb. 16, 2017

Walgreens merchandising chief to depart

Linda Filler, who also serves as the chief marketing officer, will leave the drugstore chain on April 1, but will remain in a strategic advisory capacity.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 16, 2017

Cabela's-Bass Pro merger further in doubt as credit card business sale falters

Capitol One recently said it expects to withdraw its application to take over the credit card operation, and sales prospects for the outdoor retailer look dim.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 16, 2017

Lidl will open 20 US stores this summer

The highly anticipated German discount grocery will finally be opening its doors to American shoppers later this year.

By Doug Harris • Feb. 16, 2017

Under Armour CEO walks back pro-Trump remarks amid criticism, downgrade

Susquehanna International Group analyst Sam Poser slammed Kevin Plank in a note to investors, saying his comments undermined the brand’s efforts to “build a cool urban lifestyle brand in the foreseeable future.”

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 16, 2017

HHGregg mulls debt restructuring, turnaround

The electronics and appliance retailer is faltering in the face of stiff competition, including expansions in the space by Amazon and J.C. Penney.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 16, 2017

Reports: January retail sales rise 0.4%, analysts warn volatile year ahead

"The sector is in for another choppy year,” cautions GlobalData Retail Managing Director Neil Saunders.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 16, 2017

Wal-Mart sued over questions of private label craft beer authenticity

The suit alleges that the retailer intended to deceive customers into buying a higher-priced product they think is craft beer produced by a small U.S. brewer.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 15, 2017

Retail CEOs sit down with President Trump on border tax

The immediate reaction from executives like Target's Brian Cornell and AutoZone's Bill Rhodes was positive, said a RILA spokeswoman.

By Corinne Ruff • Feb. 15, 2017

Wal-Mart lands online outdoor retailer Moosejaw for $51M

The world’s largest retailer continues gobbling up online merchants in its ongoing quest to resuscitate its flagging e-commerce efforts.

By Jason Ankeny • Feb. 15, 2017

J. Crew rejuvenates merchandise with party dress collection

The brand in trying to revamp its clothing lines with the help of lead womenswear designer Somsack Sikhounmuong, despite mounting debt and legal problems.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 15, 2017

Amazon filing hints Prime members top 65M worldwide

A 10-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission reveals that sales of Amazon's retail subscription services (including worldwide annual and monthly fees from its Prime membership program) reached $6.4 billion in 2016.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 15, 2017

Is Trump's attack on Nordstrom fair or foul?

Everyone is talking about President Trump's skirmish with Nordstrom over its decision to halt sales of Ivanka Trump's merchandise line. Ten retail experts share their perspective on the controversy.

By Jason Ankeny • Feb. 15, 2017