Congress agrees to 'fast-track' trade agreement

Because of its Asia focus, the Trans-Pacific Partnership will have a significant impact on apparel retailers and others that source and manufacture merchandise there.

By Daphne Howland • June 25, 2015

Ikea raising wages, again

The retailer has taken the unusual step of using a “living wage calculator” that determines wages based on a given area’s cost of living. 

By Daphne Howland • June 25, 2015

BaubleBar latest e-retailer to open physical stores

The popular, affordable jewelry retailer has experimented with pop-ups and sales in Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, and Anthropologie.

By Daphne Howland • June 25, 2015

Plus-size retailer FullBeauty reportedly seeking sale or IPO

With many retailers treating plus-size customers as an afterthought, there remains a vast untapped market for a specialty retailer like FullBeauty.

By Daphne Howland • June 24, 2015

Report: Zara customers, employees subject to racial discrimination

The retailer says that, on the contrary, a policy outlined in the report was misinterpreted and that half of its recently promoted employees were Hispanic or African-American.

By Daphne Howland • June 23, 2015

UPDATE: Multiple retailers ban Confederate flag merchandise

This is a strong move by Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer with headquarters in the heart of the South.

By Daphne Howland • June 23, 2015

The state of the American department store

Department stores were once magnificent fixtures of downtown America, then strong anchor tenants of malls. What are they now, and what’s next?

By Daphne Howland • June 22, 2015

T.J. Maxx's newest promo supports children's charities

Maxx Kids Art Contest includes donations to Save the Children. 

By Ian P. Murphy • June 22, 2015

Aeropostale merchandising chief departs amid turnaround

Emilia Fabricant arrived at the retailer three years ago.

By Daphne Howland • June 22, 2015

Office Depot shareholders overwhelmingly approve Staples merger

The vote brings a deal one step closer to completion, although it still requires FTC approval.

By Daphne Howland • June 22, 2015

EBay sells its stake in Craigslist

The terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, but it ends years of litigation between the two companies ahead of eBay’s split from PayPal.

By Daphne Howland • June 22, 2015

FCC proposal would aid blocking of robocalls, texts

The proposal comes as PayPal and eBay have inserted provisions in their new post-split user agreement that allows them to robocall and text customers for a variety of reasons.

By Daphne Howland • June 19, 2015

Abercrombie continues turnaround with new creative director hire

With several new hires in design and merchandising, the retailer is making good on its promise to save its brand.

By Daphne Howland • June 19, 2015

J. Crew exec vilified for Instagrams of post-layoff celebration

J. Crew says it doesn’t condone the behavior, but people on social media are already calling for the dismissal of men’s merchandising veep Alejandro Rhett.

By Daphne Howland • June 19, 2015

RadioShack hit with lawsuit from Texas AG over unredeemed gift cards

RadioShack stopped honoring gift cards in March and now says it has no way of knowing who owns what cards. But attorney general Ken Paxton is skeptical.

By Daphne Howland • June 19, 2015

Consignment retailer 2nd Time Around rebrands, expands

Consignment shops have now gone mainstream, thanks in part to their appeal to younger shoppers who like a deal and the idea of reuse.

By Daphne Howland • June 19, 2015

West Elm taps Anthropologie design exec

In Johanna Uurasjarvi, West Elm has found a like-minded designer who embraces the clean aesthetic of traditional Scandinavian design with an added artistic flair.

By Daphne Howland • June 18, 2015

California Labor Commission: Uber driver not a contractor

This ruling, though just one case that is under appeal, is widely seen as a serious threat to Uber’s basic business strategy as well as others that depend on the so-called demand economy.

By Daphne Howland • June 18, 2015

Abercrombie & Fitch hires Club Monaco menswear designer

Aaron Levine is a great pick for Abercrombie, which has been struggling with its merchandise ever since it fell from grace in the eyes of its customers.

By Daphne Howland • June 18, 2015

Report: Wal-Mart sheltering $76B overseas

The investigation was conducted by the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union, which advocates against Wal-Mart on the behalf of Wal-Mart employees.

By Daphne Howland • June 18, 2015

Etsy testing crowdfunding feature for sellers

Crowdfunding has boomed in recent years, although it has also drawn regulatory scrutiny due to some abuses.

By Daphne Howland • June 17, 2015

Dollar General continues shakeup with 5 leadership changes

After switching up its CEO last month, Dollar General has now promoted five people in its merchandising and supply chain leadership. 

By Daphne Howland • June 17, 2015

Apple terminates Monster accessories licensing deal

The audio tech company will no longer be able to manufacture licensed accessories for Apple products.

By Daphne Howland • June 17, 2015

Senators scrutinize PayPal's 'intrusive' new robocall policy

PayPal says customers can opt out of the provision, but regulators and members of Congress say they shouldn’t be forced to opt in to begin with.

By Daphne Howland • June 17, 2015

Leadership shakeup at Lumber Liquidators continues

Newly promoted Marco Q. Pescara will lead the marketing and merchandising teams as the chain faces a federal investigation. 

By Ian P. Murphy • June 16, 2015