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

Cole Haan employs Instagram to sell direct in app

The retailer brings Instagram images into its app, where shoppers can browse and buy.

By Ian P. Murphy • Sept. 25, 2015

Nike posts big profit jump thanks to China sales

China’s economy may have hit the brakes this summer, but Nike sales there haven’t.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 25, 2015

H&M unfazed by China's economic stumbles

The retailer’s planned expansion of some 240 stores will be mostly in the U.S. and China.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 25, 2015

Google adds to cybersecurity firm's financing

Zscaler now valued more than $1 billion. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Sept. 25, 2015

Holiday sales to see only modest rise this year

Due to the stubborn wage gap in the U.S., a new Deloitte forecast says the holidays won’t be so very merry this year for retailers.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 24, 2015