Best Buy plans to spend $1.2B on diverse suppliers across its business

The retailer joins Target and others in an effort to diversify supplier bases. The initiatives' success depends on their centrality within an organization. 

By Ben Unglesbee • June 24, 2021

All retailers win as biggest Prime Day ever pushes US e-commerce above $11B

Online sales surpassed Cyber Monday and Amazon benefited the most, but the early summer event got shoppers into stores, too.

By Daphne Howland • June 24, 2021

The Backroom: In e-commerce, it's growth versus profits

In 2020, digital operations saved retailers when consumers couldn't or wouldn't visit stores. But how sustainable is online retail in the long run?

By Daphne Howland • June 24, 2021

Warby Parker confidentially files to go public

The eyewear company, which launched in 2010, was among the first class of direct-to-consumer brands to enter the scene, popularizing the DTC model.

By Caroline Jansen • June 23, 2021

PVH to sell Izod, Van Heusen and other labels to Authentic Brands for $220M

The apparel conglomerate is focusing on its core Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein brands, while Authentic Brands continues its acquisition spree.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 23, 2021

Victoria's Secret seeks $500M loan to fund split with Bath & Body Works: Bloomberg

The retailer has indicated it could take on as much as $1 billion in debt to pay back to L Brands on its way out the door. 

By Ben Unglesbee • June 22, 2021

PayPal to increase merchant fees in August

The company is raising some U.S. transaction fees despite a crowd of competitors angling to lure merchants and consumers to alternative payment services. 

By Lynne Marek • June 22, 2021

Westfield turns over Florida mall to lenders

The mall operator has been reducing its portfolio of malls in the U.S. to focus on Europe.  

By Ben Unglesbee • June 21, 2021

Are all BNPL solutions the same?

BNPL options may be creating additional friction that lead to cart abandonment.

June 19, 2021

Staples Inc. parts with CEO as owner Sycamore Partners plots Office Depot takeover

The chief of the Staples distribution business is out as the Staples retail company tries to acquire a rival.

By Ben Unglesbee • Updated June 18, 2021

An influential critic of Amazon and big tech now chairs the FTC

Lina Khan was counsel for a House committee that scrutinized tech platforms and entered the spotlight with a paper that took aim at Amazon's market power.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 16, 2021

Customers love them. Investors love them. But which online players can survive in the long run?

As they seek scale, some of the fastest-growing e-commerce firms have a license from investors to burn cash. A business can't lose money forever, though. (Right?)

By Ben Unglesbee • June 16, 2021

NBA star James Harden joins board of new digital Saks spinoff

One of pro basketball's most prolific scorers and stylish players has taken a minority stake in the new e-commerce company. 

By Ben Unglesbee • June 15, 2021

Boxed to go public in SPAC deal valuing online grocer at $900M

The merger, which keeps existing CEO Chieh Huang at the helm, is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • June 14, 2021

Citing COVID-19, mall REIT Washington Prime Group lands in bankruptcy court

But like most of the retailers filing under Chapter 11 in the past several months, the company's woes predate the pandemic.

By Daphne Howland • June 14, 2021

Iconix Brands to be acquired by private equity firm

Lancer Capital has agreed to buy the brand aggregator, which has been searching for a solution to its debt load for years. 

By Ben Unglesbee • June 14, 2021

Klarna raises $639M, eyes international expansion

Klarna, now with a $45 billion market valuation, aims to expand its global market share and in-store buy now, pay later options.

By Vaidik Trivedi • June 14, 2021

No end in sight for Amazon's e-commerce growth: S&P

With a major structural shift toward more digital shopping underway, the company is poised to continue its history of dominance, analysts said. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Updated June 11, 2021

NRF now says retail sales could grow as much as 13.5% this year and top $4.4 trillion

The organization previously pegged growth at 6.5% but now says vaccines and the government's financial support to consumers have spiked the economy.

By Daphne Howland • June 11, 2021

Alex and Ani files for bankruptcy, hoping for a sale

Leadership turmoil and significant debt were hobbling the charm bracelet maker. Then last year came a ransomware attack and the pandemic.

By Daphne Howland • June 10, 2021

GameStop fills CEO, CFO spots with former Amazon execs

The retailer has filled out its leadership ranks with e-commerce veterans as it undertakes an overhaul of its model. 

By Ben Unglesbee • June 10, 2021

Activist shareholder behind L Brands breakup urges 'strategic alternatives' at Chico's

Barington Capital this week slammed the apparel retailer's board and said the value of its Soma lingerie brand may exceed that of the entire company.

By Daphne Howland • June 9, 2021

J. Jill rebounds from pandemic doldrums with 42% sales growth

Sales, margins and operating profit are up big time at the women's apparel seller, which had a close brush with bankruptcy last year. 

By Ben Unglesbee • June 9, 2021

Torrid returns to IPO plans as inclusive sizing catches on

The private equity-owned plus-size apparel retailer, a millennial favorite, abandoned an effort to go public two years ago.

By Daphne Howland • June 9, 2021

Walmart, Amazon simultaneously add prescription discounts to membership perks

Both giants are adding discounted medications to their paid subscription services as they expand their footprints across sectors. 

By Ben Unglesbee • June 8, 2021