10 retail trends to watch in 2022

Last year upended some trends and accelerated others. What will 2022 bring for retailers?

By Daphne Howland , Ben Unglesbee , Cara Salpini , Kaarin Moore , Caroline Jansen , Maria Monteros • Jan. 4, 2022

Griddle maker Blackstone the latest with plans for SPAC-based stock market debut

The company, which so far has released few financial details, says it created and now dominates its corner of the outdoor cooking market.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 23, 2021

Crocs to acquire Heydude footwear brand for $2.5B

Founded in Italy, the brand widens the total market for the clog maker to more than $160 billion, by the company's estimates.

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 23, 2021

Skechers goes through board shakeout

Four longtime board members are out, a new director is in, and an investment firm is pushing for more cash for shareholders. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 22, 2021

Supergoop sells majority stake to Blackstone

The SPF-focused beauty brand will use the investment to help it launch new products, educate consumers and expand internationally.

By Caroline Jansen • Dec. 21, 2021

Vietnam factory closures cause Nike to cancel 130M units

Those factories are now operational and Nike has returned to 80% of its weekly production volume pre-closure, executives said.

By Cara Salpini • Dec. 21, 2021

Nordstrom reportedly mulling spinoff of off-price Rack business

Bloomberg reported the move, which would shatter the ecosystem the retailer has forged. But one expert says the off-price business may have to go.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 21, 2021

Brazilian footwear company buys 49.9% stake in Rothy's

A deal between Alpargatas and the popular DTC brand will result in a post-investment valuation of $1 billion.

By Kaarin Moore • Dec. 21, 2021

Rite Aid to close about 60 stores, with more likely to come

With losses mounting again, the drugstore retailer is trying to cut costs as it reevaluates its footprint. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 21, 2021

The $500M question: Destination XL's Harvey Kanter and Ujjwal Dhoot

How to spend half a billion dollars in hypothetical money? Executives at the big-and-tall apparel specialist would use it on understanding consumers and speeding up distribution.

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 20, 2021

Andie raises $18.5M in Series B funding

The brand touted its high growth in the U.S. and Australia as it seeks to strengthen its omnichannel strategy.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 20, 2021

Can this year's department store recovery last?

The sector is having a good holiday season after bouncing back this year as consumers refreshed their closets. But its problems haven't gone away.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 20, 2021

Sears owner plans to sell its corporate HQ

The sale would be yet one more disposed asset in an ongoing fire sale by the shrinking retailer.  

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 17, 2021

'Really healthy' consumers are ready to spend for the holidays, Fed chief says

The pandemic continues to roil the supply chain and labor market, though wage increases aren't fueling inflation, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 17, 2021

The Weekly Closeout: Target to launch 'Bet on Black' startup pitch competition

The retailer will provide mentorship and a total of $500,000 in funding. Meanwhile, Janie and Jack names a new CEO and Bark comes to REI.

By Retail Dive Staff • Dec. 17, 2021

Lowe's warns comps could fall by as much as 3% in 2022

The home improvement retailer experienced a boost at the onset of the pandemic, but executives said demand may be waning.

By Caroline Jansen • Dec. 16, 2021

Strip centers outpacing traditional malls as physical retail recovers

The decline of department store anchors is just one reason why traffic to legacy shopping centers hasn't fully returned.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 16, 2021

Rebag raises $33M, plans more stores for 2022

The company will use the funding to grow its physical footprint and improve its technology.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 16, 2021

Retail has more — but slower — growth ahead in 2022: Moody's

After a heady comeback this year, the industry could settle in to a more modest pace, with supply chain, spending changes and debt levels posing some risk. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 16, 2021

SKU'd: The best comedy writing of 2021 was retail's S-1s

"We have a history of losses, and we may be unable to achieve or sustain profitability," was the refrain of companies filing to go public this year. Someone pass the popcorn.

By Kaarin Moore • Dec. 16, 2021

Neiman Marcus Group pushes back against e-commerce split

CEO Geoffroy Van Raemdonck on Wednesday emphasized such a move would interfere with what he characterized as a well-integrated operation.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 15, 2021

Marking its first acquisition, Harry's snaps up body odor brand Lumē

Prior to this point, the company focused on incubating and launching its own brands, including Flamingo, Cat Person and Headquarters.

By Cara Salpini • Dec. 15, 2021

99 Cents Only downgraded by Moody's

The dollar store chain, based largely in the Southwest, has underperformed compared to its peers during the pandemic and struggled to pay down its debt. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 15, 2021

Dollar Tree hits back at activist investor seeking board revamp

The retailer hurled rhetorical bombs at a fund that wants to replace all of its directors and install a former Dollar General chief as executive chairman. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 14, 2021

Nike acquires virtual sneaker company Rtfkt

The purchase comes on top of several others Nike has made to improve its digital capabilities, including data integration platform Datalogue.

By Cara Salpini • Dec. 14, 2021