Reports: Retailers shift from discounts, but shoppers are still looking for holiday deals

Retailers are working hard to avoid the steep discounts of last year, but shoppers may not let them.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 6, 2015

Facing bigger competition, City Sports files for bankruptcy

The company, founded in 1983, is among the smaller regional sports retailers facing competition from bigger players in the space.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 6, 2015

What's next for Gap Inc. and Ralph Lauren?

Some are questioning whether Stefan Larsson's move from president of Old Navy to CEO of Ralph Lauren is the best thing for the luxury brand.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 5, 2015

Staples to close on Thanksgiving this year

The office-supplies retailer joins those stores saving Thanksgiving for family and friends.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 5, 2015

Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement reached

For U.S. retailers, the pact is mostly seen as opening new business opportunities.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 5, 2015

Still-strengthening dollar is holding back economy

Retailers sourcing goods in Asia continue to suffer against other currencies.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 5, 2015

Reese Witherspoon's Draper James takes $10M in funding

In an era when many apparel and home goods retailers seem to offer much the same fare, Draper James is unapologetically Southern in style.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 5, 2015

American Apparel files for bankruptcy

The beleaguered retailer has faced huge debts, made worse by damp sales and costly litigation against founder Dov Charney.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 5, 2015

H&M makes big move into hyper-competitive beauty space

The retailer launched its 700-product beauty line in 900 stores globally, after finding success in the space at its smaller sister brand, & Other Stories.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 2, 2015

Reports: Wal-Mart to cut about 450 jobs at HQ

The Wall Street Journal broke the news Wednesday, but the retailer has yet to confirm the report.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 2, 2015

Analysts: Old Navy president's move to Ralph Lauren a blow to Gap Inc.

It’s no wonder that Stefan Larsson, who did wonders at Gap’s lower-priced brand, was scooped up by Ralph Lauren. But what will Gap do now?

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 1, 2015

Kohl's testing cafes in stores to up shopper traffic

The experiment in two stores near its Milwaukee-area headquarters comes as Kohl’s is having trouble getting its turnaround efforts to stick.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 1, 2015

Thrillist, JackThreads to separate amid new funding rounds

Both the media company and the flash-sales retail site will now have a chance to focus on their separate needs and goals.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 1, 2015

Digital shopping will rise this holiday season

But that won’t translate to much of a boost in sales, according to Deloitte’s annual holiday forecast.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 30, 2015

Target vastly broadens price-matching policy

The retailer announced that as of Thursday, it will match the prices of 29 rivals, including online prices.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 30, 2015

L.L. Bean still struggling to meet demand for signature boots

The company refuses to outsource production of the boots or change its manufacturing methods much.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 30, 2015

UPDATED: Ralph Lauren to step down as CEO

Old Navy president Stefan Larsson has been named as his successor.  

By Kelsey Lindsey • Sept. 29, 2015

Gap expanding life skills education for female factory workers

Gap’s P.A.C.E. program includes classes in communications skills, financial literacy, stress management, problem-solving, and decision-making.  

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 29, 2015

Target broadens its list of problematic chemicals in consumer goods

An advocacy group lauds the programs from Target and Wal-Mart to limit harmful chemicals, but says they could be even stronger.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 29, 2015

Bonobos hires first chief people officer as it rapidly grows

The move comes with founder Andy Dunn back at the helm after briefly stepping down as CEO.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 29, 2015

Customer trust: Hard won, easily lost

Retailers have an enormous number of opportunities—online, in store, on mobile, and through marketing—to forge, maintain, or break their customers’ trust.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 28, 2015

American Apparel warned of being delisted from NYSE

The struggling retailer hasn’t met the New York Stock Exchange's listing standards.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 28, 2015

Ross Stores to expand as off-price segment heats up

The discount space for apparel and home goods is getting more competitive, which could be bad news for retailers with higher-priced flagship brands.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 28, 2015

E-book sales aren't really falling, except for traditional publishers: Fortune

Rather than a triumph of print over digital books, the figures are attributed in part to greater sales of independently published books.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 25, 2015

Adidas addresses environmental impact of clothing manufacture

The company will look to develop products that can be recycled many times over, eschew chemical additives, and create near-zero waste.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 25, 2015