Retail Therapy: Mr. West goes to Build-A-Bear

This week, Kanye West went to Build-A-Bear Workshop. And he didn't look happy about it. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • March 18, 2016

Staples, Office Depot: FTC 'simply wrong' in trying to block merger

The retailers said the FTC "cherry picked" facts in trying to block the proposed merger between the two companies. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • March 18, 2016

U.S. Senate bill aims at reining in activist investors

Investor activism is on the rise—and for retailers, that's not always for the better.

By Daphne Howland • March 18, 2016

Uniqlo expands apparel sales to Spring's m-commerce marketplace

The Spring deal represents the first third-party seller agreement for the Japanese fast-fashion chain. 

By Ian P. Murphy • March 18, 2016

J. Crew sees improved results on cost-cutting, Madewell brand

The retailer’s flagship brand is suffering more than its lower-priced Madewell and Mercantile brands.

By Daphne Howland • March 18, 2016

Aeropostale failing to recover with another weak quarter

CEO Julian R. Geiger said that consumers are responding well to its spring merchandise, but it's failing to see the same success as its rivals.

By Daphne Howland • March 18, 2016

Newegg: The bane of patent trolls' existence

The electronics retailer long ago decided it would never settle a patent case—and became something of a folk hero in the process.

By Daphne Howland • March 17, 2016

Sports Authority suing vendors over consignment sales

The distressed retailer is fighting demands to sell their goods and cough up the proceeds, saying that doing so would hurt its operations as it struggles to regroup.

By Daphne Howland • March 17, 2016

Lowe's brings the home to life in new millennial-focused ads

The new spots feature a talking pink flamingo and unicorn to target young homeowners. 

By Ian P. Murphy • March 17, 2016

LivingSocial lays off more than half its staff

Like rival Groupon, the marketplace and deals site is struggling as both consumers and retailers edge away.

By Daphne Howland • March 17, 2016

Humans in retail: The importance of store associates in a digital age

Omnichannel is a must, mobile is driving everything, and technology is key. But all that just makes store employees that much more important.

By Daphne Howland • March 16, 2016

Los Angeles luxury malls getting makeovers to lure consumers

L.A.'s Beverly Center and Westfield Century City are set for massive renovations to maintain their commercial viability.

By Ian P. Murphy • March 16, 2016

J.C. Penney vows change after customer service scores plummet

Executives promised store managers that they’ll see much less paperwork in order to better attend to customers.

By Daphne Howland • March 16, 2016

FTC brings action against Lord & Taylor over deceptive ads

Legislators say the department store chain flouted disclosure regulations in promoting its Design Lab line. 

By Ian P. Murphy • March 16, 2016

REI's record membership growth boosts online, in-store sales

The retailer also said its attention-getting #OptOutside campaign over the Black Friday weekend was a winner.

By Daphne Howland • March 16, 2016

Neiman Marcus stumbles during all-important holiday season

Neiman Marcus' decline at the holidays is unusual—and a sign of tough times in luxury and department stores.

By Daphne Howland • March 16, 2016

DSW beefs up kids' assortment to draw in more parents

CEO Roger Rawlins characterized DSW stores as a “weapon,” helping it compete in both the physical and digital retail spaces.

By Daphne Howland • March 16, 2016

NRF: Retail sales growth slows to near-standstill

Consumers didn’t readily fling open their wallets in Februrary, but the NRF is sanguine about the rest of the year.

By Daphne Howland • March 16, 2016

How Sports Authority went bankrupt—and who could be next to fall

Why did one of the country’s biggest sporting goods retailers fail?

By Lara Ewen • March 15, 2016

Kohl's turnaround includes revamping Sonoma brand

Kohl's has struggled in its turnaround, and sees its private-label brands as critical to its success. 

By Daphne Howland • March 15, 2016

Costco phasing out tobacco sales in most stores

Unlike CVS, which had a philosophical reason to end tobacco sales, Costco says it wants those shelves for other products.

By Daphne Howland • March 15, 2016

Staples: Amazon's office supplies business poses stiff competition

The office supplies retailer wants to prove to lawmakers that its merger with Office Depot should go through.

By Daphne Howland • March 15, 2016

Avon to cut 2,500 jobs, move HQ to UK as part of 'transformation plan'

The beauty space is thriving for many retailers—but Avon is largely missing out on the boom.

By Daphne Howland • March 15, 2016

Retail sales in China continue to slow, miss expectations

But China’s middle class remains strong and continues to grow, a silver lining.

By Daphne Howland • March 14, 2016

Shopgate expands retail platform to Apple TV

The mobile commerce startup's new Apple TV apps offer product pages that sync across channels. 

By Ian P. Murphy • March 14, 2016