Macy's mixes up executive ranks with two new spots

The retailer has hired from the outside to take on new digital and innovation efforts.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 2, 2016

Birchbox trims 15% of staff, halts Canadian operations

The moves come at a time when talk of a tech bubble burst heats up.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 1, 2016

Nordstrom to open second Manhattan store

A smaller store near its planned flagship at Central Park Tower could help the company compete in the city's intensifying luxury market.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 1, 2016

Under Armour calms investor fears with strong Q4

With typical swagger, CEO Kevin Plank promised that the company’s 20th birthday this year will include more impressive results.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 29, 2016

Etsy store opens at Macy's Herald Square flagship

But does the move enhance the artisanal marketplace’s reputation for unique handmade goods, or hurt it?

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 29, 2016

H&M will open 425 new stores this year

But the company announced muted expectations for the first quarter this year, in part because of the strong dollar.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 29, 2016

Amazon posts 22% sales growth in its most profitable quarter yet

Despite impressive growth during an otherwise tepid holiday season for many retailers, the results still fell short of analyst expectations.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 29, 2016

Circuit City has plans for a comeback

The electronics retailer will retain its familiar white and red logo, but little else from its ill-fated past.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 28, 2016

EBay doesn't move the needle much in Q4

EBay’s performance validates the move to spin off PayPal, which the company had resisted for months before eventually relenting.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 28, 2016

Alibaba beats estimates with strong holiday sales

But the company could still face headwinds if Chinese consumer spending slows as many expect.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 28, 2016

Staples shaking up exec teams, reportedly laying off 'hundreds'

The office supplies retailer announced the executive shuffle, but won’t confirm reports of job cuts.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 27, 2016

American consumer sentiment remains steady

But there were enough contradictions in the Conference Board’s report to indicate that consumers’ iffy attitude toward spending could continue this year.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 27, 2016

Major U.S. trucking companies not worried about Amazon

Swift Transportation and Covenant Transportation, the country’s largest trucking companies, dismissed the idea that Amazon’s own trucking operations would hurt business, saying there’s plenty of demand to go around.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 27, 2016

Apple beats profit expectations, but forecast draws concern

The company can no longer expect heady sales in China and hasn’t unveiled a new device in a while.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 27, 2016

Coach's pivot from discounts brings optimistic results

The legacy accessories company had fallen from its upscale perch, thanks in part to a focus on outlet stores. But its Q2 report shows it may be digging itself out.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 27, 2016

Who is the new Wal-Mart customer?

Accomplishing Wal-Mart's goal to appeal to a wealthier shopper may mean going against the company's very-ingrained corporate culture.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 26, 2016

WSJ: Falling bond prices a bad sign for retailers

The long-term prospects for turnarounds at some retailers are dimming, spelling trouble for them and their backers.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 26, 2016

Some retailers could see sales lift, despite $850M hit from Jonas

Most of the economic fallout wasn’t felt by retailers so much as by venues like restaurants, theaters, and hotels.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 26, 2016

Alibaba growth slowing as competition with JD.com heats up

While Alibaba has been eyeing consumers in rural China, JD.com has focused on reaching more affluent shoppers in urban areas. That may be paying off.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 26, 2016

American Apparel will move on without Charney

Now it’s up to the retailer to prove that it really can come back—and thrive—without him.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 26, 2016

Is there ever a perfect storm for retailers?

Retailers increasingly have the ability to make weather forecasting work for them—helping them respond to extreme events like the recent winter storm Jonas.  

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 25, 2016

Winter storm Jonas unlikely to hurt retailers

While retailers may see consumer spending shift to just before and after a major storm like the one we saw this past weekend, it’s usually a wash for retailers.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 25, 2016

Amazon touts job creation record amid assertive moves in Europe

Sainsbury’s bid for Home Retail, owner of retail goods chain Argos, is seen as a response to increased competition in Europe from the American e-retail giant.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 25, 2016

Avon's turnaround plan draws skepticism from analysts

Avon’s 130-year-old approach to cosmetic sales could be outdated—or perfectly positioned to evolve in today’s social-media-rich, highly connected market. 

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 25, 2016

Report: Many retailers could face moves from activist investors

The changes wanted by activist investors aren’t necessarily good or bad for retail companies. But they can be a distraction.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 25, 2016