Twitter said to be ready to turn it up to 10,000 (characters)

The expanded character limit may help the platform grow its user base and compete for ad dollars.

By Ian P. Murphy • Jan. 6, 2016

UPDATE: Online furniture retailer Hem sold

The retailer, brainchild of Fab.com founder Jason Goldberg, may have been ahead of its time.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 6, 2016

Investment firm KKR to buy Midwestern farming and hunting chain Mills Fleet Farm

The 61-year-old company may need cash to fuel growth plans as the hunting-fishing-sportsgear space gets tough.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 5, 2016

After viral success, Wal-Mart launches new baked goods with Patti LaBelle

The retail giant is looking to boost its food offerings, which make up 56% of its U.S. store sales.

By Ian P. Murphy • Jan. 5, 2016

Lululemon stock shoots up 6.5% during volatile day

Monday was an up-and-down day on Wall Street, but Lululemon's stock rose on the news that several analysts had upgraded their outlooks. 

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 5, 2016

Amazon falls 6% after downgrade

The company's stock fell after analysts questioned whether its growth investments would deliver in 2016 as they did last year.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 5, 2016

Target names new chief stores officer amid turnaround efforts

Long-time head of stores Tina Tyler won’t be sticking around, as CEO Brian Cornell continues to reshape his leadership team. 

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 5, 2016

China stocks fall, triggers global tumble

China has been the stage for major expansions by several retailers, thanks to a burgeoning middle class, and many worry that a slowdown in its economy, the world’s second largest, could spell trouble.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 4, 2016

El Niño's warm weather is costing retailers $500M

And the hit will continue into the spring and fall, experts say.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 4, 2016

Target to focus on opening small, urban stores in 2016

Last year, the company did away with specialized names “CityTarget” and “TargetExpress,” rebranding every store to just “Target” regardless of size or location.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 4, 2016

Tech-based retail startups could face a tough year

Tech and web-based startups in 2016 could struggle to garner the kind of private funding they’ve enjoyed in recent years, and the reception for IPOs may not be much warmer.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 4, 2016

Icahn wins Pep Boys for $1B plus

For Pep Boys, the deal likely means major change.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 31, 2015

Amazon happily shares some solid holiday numbers

Last week the e-commerce giant sent out a boastful holiday missive with a litany of its accomplishments.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 28, 2015

Heavy numbers of holiday orders slow USPS site

The postal service’s tracking site was slow at one point Tuesday morning due to 'unprecedented' demand.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 23, 2015

Abercrombie ends its CEO search

The teen retailer is also shaking up its executive team. 

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 23, 2015

J.C. Penney appoints new CIO

The former Target executive will be Penney's fifth CIO since 2011. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Dec. 22, 2015

Apple veteran will help Alibaba head off counterfeits

IP wunderkind has helped Apple, Pfizer fight fakes in the past.

By Ian P. Murphy • Dec. 22, 2015

FTC rejects Staples' revised deal to buy Office Depot

Staples says it's willing to divest business contracts worth $1.25 billion, up from $500 million.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 22, 2015

Wal-Mart taps new marketing chief

The company is turning to company veteran Tony Rogers, who may be set to make some big changes to the retailer’s U.S. marketing approach.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 21, 2015

Retailers continue to slash prices as Christmas looms

With consumers patient and keen on discounts and time running out, retailers have little choice.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 21, 2015

US trade office warns Alibaba over fakes

Although the U.S. Trade Representative’s report didn’t name Alibaba on its blacklist, it did say the Chinese conglomerate and its online marketplaces need to work harder to excise counterfeits.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 18, 2015

Hedge fund Cerberus throws a lifeline to struggling Avon

The $605 million dollar deal could help salvage the company’s fortunes.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 18, 2015

Apple alters top management

The change-up is not so much a shift in strategy but a continuation of the mark Cook is making on the company since the death of founder-CEO Steve Jobs.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 18, 2015

'Secret Santas' paying off layaway orders nationwide

Anonymous donors and charities aim to take some pressure off struggling families during the holidays.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 17, 2015

One Kings Lane lays off more staff, top execs

The developments highlight the limits of the flash-sales model.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 17, 2015