Target slashes guidance after disappointing holiday quarter

A good Black Friday and strong e-commerce sales couldn’t make up for store traffic declines and heavy discounting.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 18, 2017

Why selling Craftsman sounds the death knell for Sears

The embattled retailer unloaded its signature tool brand to Stanley Black & Decker for $900 million — and, experts say, lost something that money can't buy in the process.

By Jason Ankeny • Jan. 18, 2017

J.C. Penney bringing Nike shops to 600-plus stores

The 500-square-foot concessions will be festooned with giant Nike “swoosh” signs, what the retailer calls “motivating” images of Nike-wearing athletes, dedicated mannequins and updated lighting.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 18, 2017

UPDATE: Lowe's cuts 2,400 jobs in major workforce shift

The home improvement retailer will eliminate positions in back offices in favor of deploying more customer-facing help.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 18, 2017

Fed chief Dudley: Border adjustment tax could have 'unintended consequences'

At the NRF’s Big Show 2017, Federal Reserve Bank of New York President and CEO William Dudley warned that the Republican-sponsored border tax could spur retailers to increase prices to remain profitable.

By Corinne Ruff • Jan. 17, 2017

The Limited files for bankruptcy

After closing all of its stores and moving operations online earlier this month, the retailer has agreed to a stalking horse bid for its intellectual property and assets.

By Corinne Ruff • Jan. 17, 2017

After holiday sales slump, Tiffany names designer Reed Krakoff as chief artistic officer

Krakoff, who served as a creative collaborator with the re-launch of a luxury accessories collection, will spearhead the artistic vision of the upscale jeweler.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 17, 2017

American Apparel begins layoffs at HQ, factories

New owner Gildan sources most of its textiles in overseas factories and will not continue American Apparel’s Los Angeles operations, signaling a loss for U.S. apparel manufacturing.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 17, 2017

Wal-Mart staffing shakeup to align store, digital operations

Amid significant shakeups in its corporate offices and store back rooms in recent months, Wal-Mart plans to also add store associates, e-commerce fulfillment workers and boost training of store personnel.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 17, 2017

H&M misses expectations for holiday sales growth

The retailer, which has expanded its store count despite tepid sales, had warned it might need to employ heavy discounts to get through the holidays.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 17, 2017

Report: Wet Seal weighs sale or bankruptcy

Sources told Bloomberg that private equity firm Versa, which bought the struggling apparel retailer in 2015, prefers a sale.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 17, 2017

Amazon reportedly seeks FCC approval for wireless tests at Seattle HQ

Amazon has asked to conduct wireless technology tests at its Seattle headquarters and one of its customer service facilities elsewhere in Washington.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 16, 2017

Intel launches store management platform, pledges $100M retail investment

The investment is aimed at helping retailers achieve more efficient store environments with an assist from the Internet of Things.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 16, 2017

NRF Foundation unveils retail education, credentialing program

The RISE Up effort brings together 21 merchants who’ve pledged to help individuals secure the skills and training they need to land jobs in the retail sector, regardless of their educational background, economic means or age.

By Jason Ankeny • Jan. 15, 2017

Analyst: Amazon hiring binge hints at physical store plans

The retail giant said on Thursday that it’s hiring 100,000 full-time workers for its expanding fulfillment network, but one expert says the numbers indicate accelerated brick-and-mortar growth, too.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 13, 2017

Amazon steals Target tech star to lead overseas Prime expansion

Jamil Ghani, formerly Target's senior vice president of enterprise strategy and innovation, will spearhead Prime operations as the e-commerce giant continues to grow the program's international reach.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 13, 2017

American Apparel factory sold to Los Angeles textile company

Joel Chun, who owns West Coast Textile, said that he’s working closely with American Apparel's human resources department to preserve some 200 jobs at the facility.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 13, 2017

Target gets creative help from Gen Z in new apparel line

The retailer brought 10 kids aged 10 to 14 to its Minneapolis headquarters to get feedback on its new “Art Class” line of accessories and apparel.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 12, 2017

Walgreens adding FedEx dropoff, pickup locations nationwide

FedEx customers will be able to drop off pre-packaged and pre-labeled shipments and pick up packages at their neighborhood Walgreens store.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 12, 2017

Wal-Mart CIO reportedly stepping down next month

Karenann Terrell has held the role since February 2012, and her departure is likely part of a digital operations shake-up since its acquisition of startup Jet.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 12, 2017

Why The Limited's time finally ran out

The apparel retailer was once the go-to destination for stylish young Americans, and set the stage for the discovery and production innovations synonymous with today's fast fashion. What went wrong?

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 12, 2017

J.C. Penney poised to close more stores

Locations that fail to meet the retailer’s “brand standard” must go, but CEO Marvin Ellison stressed physical stores will continue to drive the great bulk of its sales.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 12, 2017

Target accepting applications for next Techstars retail accelerator program

More than 150 mentors gave more than 500 hours of their time and expertise to selected retail tech startups during the first round of the program.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 11, 2017

FTC approval of Walgreens-Rite Aid merger reportedly imminent

There’s pressure to give the $9.4 billion drugstore acquisition the green light before president-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 11, 2017

Amazon revamps branded Visa card to reward Prime members

The expanded benefits are just another way for Amazon to attract, keep and grow its sticky, higher-buying membership base.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 11, 2017