Dick's to take on Lululemon with new specialty women's stores

The “Chelsea Collective” stores will have athleisure-wear and sports gear for women, as well as accessories and beauty products.

By Daphne Howland • July 22, 2015

NRF cuts 2015 retail sales forecast due to harsh first half

The damage done by various events in the first half of the year will be mitigated in the second half, but not by much, according to the National Retail Federation.

By Daphne Howland • July 22, 2015

Amazon rival Jet launches today amid buzz—and questions

Jet has focused on dynamic pricing, promising the lowest prices on the web. Trouble is already brewing though, with reports that the newcomer is losing money on most sales.

By Daphne Howland • July 21, 2015

Cowen: Amazon on track to become No. 1 US apparel retailer

Cowen and Company thinks that Amazon will leave even Macy’s in the dust within the next couple of years.

By Daphne Howland • July 21, 2015

Kate Spade latest to move into yoga wear

Kate Spade seems to be revving back up after shuttering some lines and stores, with plans for athleisure, home goods, and more.

By Daphne Howland • July 21, 2015

PayPal outshines eBay first day after split

PayPal loomed large in its new capacity as a stand-alone company, while eBay is said to be in need of a turnaround. But both companies must up their game.

By Daphne Howland • July 21, 2015

Barnes & Noble continues executive reshuffle with new e-commerce head

Retail veteran Frederic D. Argir will be in charge of the troubled Nook division. 

By Ian P. Murphy • July 21, 2015

EBags taps former Staples exec as CEO

EBags is one of the survivors of the original dot-com boom, and is poised for a shot in the arm.

By Daphne Howland • July 20, 2015

Brand management firm Xcel grabs C. Wonder

Xcel has helped steady the likes of Isaac Mizrahi and Liz Clairborne — and perhaps C. Wonder will see a similar revival.

By Daphne Howland • July 20, 2015

Amazon's Prime Day to return

Despite post-Prime Day stories citing disappointment from shoppers, Amazon said its invented midsummer sale holiday was a huge success.

By Daphne Howland • July 17, 2015

Labor Dept. clarifies employment rules as issue comes under scrutiny

Disruptive startups, including retail same-day delivery companies, are relying on workers that in some cases should be classified as employees.

By Daphne Howland • July 17, 2015

Ollie's Bargain Outlet stages robust IPO

Ollie’s utter lack of e-commerce makes it unique in today’s retail landscape — and the retailer has no intention of changing that.

By Daphne Howland • July 17, 2015

Another Walgreens executive departs amid executive reshuffling

The name on the company’s shingle is “Walgreens” but the retailer’s top executive team is increasingly looking like “Alliance Boots.” 

By Daphne Howland • July 17, 2015

Prime Day gives Amazon 80% sales jump, leaves shoppers disappointed

There were plenty of snarky Tweets and lots of viral venting over the sale, which was promised to be bigger than Black Friday. 

By Daphne Howland • July 16, 2015

Back-to-school spending may be healthy this year, but not as healthy as last: reports

E-commerce is the major force keeping retailers on their toes these days, but back-to-school shopping by and large remains a brick-and-mortar activity.

By Daphne Howland • July 16, 2015

Macy's investor pushing for a REIT

Starboard Value said it’s advocating for a spin-off of the department store’s real estate, but that may not be best for Macy's.

By Daphne Howland • July 16, 2015

Target tapping into growing 'buy local' movement

Target is working with designer Todd Snyder to bring hometown flair to stores in multiple cities. 

By Daphne Howland • July 16, 2015

Wal-Mart hit with discrimination suit by LGBT groups

The retail giant faces a Title VII class action lawsuit over same-sex couple medical benefits that they denied prior to Jan. 1, 2014.

By Tom Starner • July 15, 2015

Target launches back-to-school season with social media stars

The chain seeks to leverage the young influencers' recognition among teens. 

By Ian P. Murphy • July 15, 2015

Books-A-Million in $21M buyout after offer sweetened

The family of chairman Clyde B. Anderson, whose grandfather founded the chain in 1917, will take the company back.

By Daphne Howland • July 15, 2015

Sears taps new exec to help it become 'member-focused' retailer

Gymboree COO Joelle Maher is both young and experienced, and could help the once-iconic retailer finally emerge from its rut.

By Daphne Howland • July 15, 2015

A new approach, new life for the American mall

For a while it seemed like the only malls left in America were high-end destinations or abandoned sites of decay. But there’s plenty of life left in the middle, with the right approach.

By Daphne Howland • July 14, 2015

Rakuten buys virtual fitting room company Fits.Me

Fits.Me offers 'robot mannequins' to help shoppers visualize how apparel items might fit. 

By Ian P. Murphy • July 14, 2015

UPDATE: eBay to sell eBay Enterprise for $925M

The news comes as eBay prepares for its imminent split from PayPal.

By Daphne Howland • July 13, 2015

Online beauty service Birchbox expanding physical stores

The retailer is crowd-sourcing where to locate its next two stores, including one dedicated to men.

By Daphne Howland • July 13, 2015