UPDATE: Michaels IPO Raises $472M

The arts-and-crafts retailer raised close to its $500 million goal. Michaels said on Thursday it had raised about $472.6 million in its initial public offering after pricing shares at $17, the lower end of an expected range. The $17 per share price values the arts and crafts retailer at up to $3.45 billion.

By Daphne Howland • June 26, 2014

Gap reports rise in applicants after wage hike

Many applicants are arriving with retail experience from companies that don’t pay as well.

By Daphne Howland • June 25, 2014

Etsy buys French online marketplace for $100m

The acquisition is the largest yet for the quirky, Brooklyn-based e-commerce site of all things artisanal.

By Daphne Howland • June 25, 2014

Report: Retail marketing must go beyond counting pageviews

With new methods to get and measure consumers’ attention, focusing on the pageview is becoming a useless habit, according to Contently.

By Daphne Howland • June 25, 2014

Barnes & Noble to split book-selling, digital businesses

The move comes as the company’s losses shrink, and after a deal with Samsung to revive the Nook business.

By Daphne Howland • June 25, 2014

Target smooths out free online shipping

Nearly all items are now counted toward the $50 minimum, eliminating a confusing situation for many customers.

By Daphne Howland • June 24, 2014

Loan gives J.C. Penney some wiggle room

A new credit line will make financing its debt easier and is a sign that its lenders believe the retailer’s future has grown a bit brighter.

By Daphne Howland • June 23, 2014

Retail groups call swipe fee settlement a 'mistake'

Two leading retail groups are asking an appeals court to overturn federal court approval of a settlement.

By Daphne Howland • June 19, 2014

American Apparel board votes to oust CEO

Citing unspecified misconduct, the board said it aims to fire founder Dov Charney after a required 30 day cure period.

By Daphne Howland • June 19, 2014

Patent office cancels Redskins trademark

The Washington team’s name has faced increasing opposition by people who find it racist, and there are implications for retailers.

By Daphne Howland • June 18, 2014

Apple settles e-book pricing claims

But details aren’t yet available, and the agreement requires court approval.

By Daphne Howland • June 17, 2014

Some retailers to list unit prices online

Amazon is not participating, but Walmart.com, Costco, and others will.

By Daphne Howland • June 17, 2014

Judge slams JC Penney in Martha Stewart ruling

Stating that Penney's behavior was both "adolescent" and "sophomoric," the judge ruled against the retailer in the case filed in 2012.

By Daphne Howland • June 17, 2014

Pinners never quit and quitters never pin: Retail's Pinterest success

Facebook continues to dominate in number of users, but Pinterest is emerging as a dynamic social network that wins retail customers over.

By Daphne Howland • June 17, 2014

Could health care at retail clinics get competitive?

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced a pilot program where employees can get services for $4 and customers pay $40.

By Daphne Howland • June 16, 2014

Report: Majority of apparel likely to remain sourced in Asia

While retailers are looking to diversify their sources, Asia remains the number one source for supply.

By Daphne Howland • June 16, 2014

Retail sales miss May expectations with slight rise

But April retail sales grew more than first calculated, boding well for continued growth.

By Daphne Howland • June 13, 2014

Facebook giving users greater control over ads

It's also expanding the use of consumer data to drive ad placement on user pages.

By Daphne Howland • June 13, 2014

Report: Millennials willing to fill the virtual complaint box

While Gen X and Baby Boomers interact with brands on social media, millennials are much more likely to share complaints online.

By Daphne Howland • June 13, 2014

Lululemon founder votes against board chairman

Chip Wilson, also the company’s biggest shareholder, says Chairman Michael Casey is overly concerned with short-term growth.

By Daphne Howland • June 12, 2014

Gun sales way down at Sportsman's Warehouse

An 18.1% drop in Q1 sales was driven largely by weak demand for firearms and ammunition.

By Daphne Howland • June 12, 2014

Alibaba's U.S. marketplace goes live

The Chinese retail giant aims to look and be different from Amazon.

By Daphne Howland • June 12, 2014

Photoshop: Sometimes less is more

Retail marketers don’t always get the attention they want when they manipulate photos.

By Daphne Howland • June 11, 2014

Amazon playing hardball in dispute with Warner Bros.

The e-commerce giant is not allowing pre-orders of upcoming Warner Bros. movies, a move similar to tactics against book publisher Hachette.

By Daphne Howland • June 11, 2014

Retailers move to stockpile inventory

Retailers are bringing in goods early and by truck so labor issues don’t hurt Christmas inventories.

By Daphne Howland • June 10, 2014