Walmart adds free Spotify to Walmart+, gives membership free to staff

As it adds perks, the retailer is giving its free-delivery subscription to associates, in part so they can sell it to customers based on experience. 

By Ben Unglesbee • March 9, 2022

Petco posts record sales in 2021 as it leans into wellness and service offerings

The pet retailer opened more vet hospitals, revamped its Vital Care program and acquired the remaining stake in its joint venture with Thrive Pet Healthcare.

By Caroline Jansen • March 8, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

The direct-to-consumer landscape in retail

More mature brands are pursuing exit strategies and expanding their reach, while traditional retailers are increasingly shifting to a DTC model.

By Retail Dive staff

Kohl's wants to transform from a department store into 'a focused lifestyle concept'

The retailer will open 100 smaller, hyperlocal stores and grow its new Sephora shops into a $2 billion business. The activists on its case aren't impressed.

By Daphne Howland • March 8, 2022

Dick's touts 'incredibly strategic' relationship with Nike as it posts another record year

The relationship with Nike is at an "all-time high," but that's just one of several key partners, and Dick's own private labels are growing as well.

By Cara Salpini • March 8, 2022

After early silence, more luxury brands edge away from Russia over invasion of Ukraine

Upscale fashion houses and jewelers have enjoyed growing attention in Russia for decades, but doing business there is becoming untenable.

By Daphne Howland • March 8, 2022

Chewy founder Ryan Cohen's new activist target: Bed Bath & Beyond

After shaking up GameStop's leadership, Cohen is pushing Bed Bath & Beyond to sell its BuyBuy Baby unit, and maybe the entire company. 

By Ben Unglesbee • March 7, 2022

In surprise reversal, Capri nixes CEO succession

John Idol is staying on after all, and Joshua Schulman, who led the Michael Kors brand and was set to move up in September, will leave the company.

By Daphne Howland • March 7, 2022

Gap escaped worst-case with supply chain dragging on Q4

The apparel seller plans to diversify its manufacturing and shipping profile to avoid further calamities like last year's. 

By Ben Unglesbee • March 4, 2022

'In support of the people of Ukraine,' TJX will sell minority stake in Russian off-pricer

Over two years ago, the company paid $225 million for a non-controlling 25% share in the retailer, which runs 400 stores in Russia.

By Daphne Howland • March 4, 2022

Victoria's Secret CEO: 'The haters have gone away'

Building on strength during the fourth quarter, the lingerie company has plans for more off-mall stores and a new tween line. But how real are its changes?

By Daphne Howland • March 3, 2022

Best Buy Q4 sales fall on inventory gaps

The retailer is placing a bet on its new membership and burgeoning advertising business as it laps a stellar year for consumer demand. 

By Ben Unglesbee • March 3, 2022

Size matters: How Walmart and Target dominated amid disruption, inflation

Both retailers leaned on their scale to get goods on shelves and keep prices low, at least relative to the industry. 

By Ben Unglesbee • March 3, 2022

Nordstrom promises momentum in 2022 after steady holiday quarter

After posting healthy margins and profits, the retailer is raising expectations for its full-line and off-price businesses, but some analysts are skeptical.

By Daphne Howland • March 2, 2022

Target plans $5B investment in operations, including 30 new stores

After growing its sales and stealing market share in recent years, the retailer is still hungry for new markets and customers.  

By Ben Unglesbee • March 2, 2022

Can Sephora do for Kohl's what it couldn't do for J.C. Penney?

After a weak Q4, the department store is relying on the beauty retailer for growth. But that wasn't enough for J.C. Penney.

By Daphne Howland • March 1, 2022

Target rides traffic boost to 19th straight quarter of growth

CEO Brian Cornell said that rises in comparable sales and other strong performance numbers were "proof our strategy is working."

By Ben Unglesbee • March 1, 2022

Ipsy, BoxyCharm parent raises $96M in funding

Beauty for All Industries, which has also launched DTC brands from Addison Rae and Becky G, will use the funding to scale its brands.

By Cara Salpini • March 1, 2022

Target's new hourly wage will soon be as much as $24

The mass merchant, whose starting rate has been $15 for a couple of years, will invest up to $300 million for pay and benefit expansions.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 28, 2022

Walmart's third-party fulfillment business grew 500% last year

The retailer hopes to grow its seller base and their sales with logistics services, which in turn can help boost its nascent advertising business. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 28, 2022

What happened to Nordstrom Rack?

The department store's off-price business was a pioneer in the space and once buoyed the company. But lately it's been crashing.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 28, 2022

Kimberly-Clark acquires majority stake in Thinx

The maker of Kotex and Kleenex made an initial minority investment into the DTC period underwear brand back in 2019.

By Caroline Jansen • Feb. 25, 2022

Nike moves away from Foot Locker in shift to DTC

Nike made up 75% of Foot Locker's purchases in 2020, a number that is poised to decline significantly this year. Comps may drop 10% in 2022 as a result.

By Cara Salpini • Feb. 25, 2022

The Weekly Closeout: Fanatics acquires Mitchell & Ness and Brooks tops $1B in revenue

The sports merchandise retailer — with Jay-Z, Meek Mill and others — snapped up the lifestyle brand, while the running company hit record highs.

By Retail Dive Staff • Feb. 25, 2022

Wayfair's revenue falls 11.4% in Q4 as its losses widen

The online retailer benefited at the onset of the pandemic. But as consumers shift spending to physical channels, the company is losing customers.

By Caroline Jansen • Feb. 24, 2022

Allbirds plans entry into wholesale to raise brand awareness

The DTC company is still "unknown" to the majority of U.S. consumers and is hoping a select number of "premium" retail partners will help with that.

By Cara Salpini • Feb. 24, 2022