Ikea posts record profits

The furniture retailer posted record profits for the year, despite its tepid embrace, so far, of e-commerce.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 28, 2014

Merchandise returns cost U.S. retailers $270B in 2013

Receipts in hand are no guarantee that a return is not fraudulent, and in-store returns of online-procured merchandise are an area of concern, according to a report on 2013 returns.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 28, 2014

Explore the Trendline➔

The state of retail returns

Retailers of all sizes are streamlining operations so customers can have a smooth return experience. 

By Retail Dive staff

Costco to host Obama following State of the Union speech

The president plans to push better wages and hiring of the long-term unemployed and will visit one of the retailer’s Maryland locations.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 28, 2014

Banks report data breach at Michaels stores

The crafts-store chain is the latest to disclose that customers’ credit and debit card information was possibly compromised.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 27, 2014

Enhanced e-commerce site search technology pays off

Gallery Furniture says implementing Nextopia’s e-commerce site search, navigation, and merchandising system has improved conversion rates by 35%.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 27, 2014

6 retail executives to watch in 2014

These new executives are taking on a distressed retail environment, emerging e-commerce possibilities, and the idiosyncrasies of each of their companies.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 27, 2014

Could iTunes be your next mobile payment option for everything?

Apple is exploring expansion of its iTunes payment system to allow users to pay for things at other retailers and more, unnamed sources told the Wall Street Journal.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 27, 2014

Wal-Mart slashes 2,300 Sam's Club jobs

The retail giant said it’s working to become more efficient in the face of stiff competition in the budget-shopping sector.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 27, 2014

Google’s same-day delivery hits another city

After a successful stint in the San Francisco Bay Area, Google Shopping Express has begun a trial run in Los Angeles.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 27, 2014

Patagonia taps company veteran as new CEO

COO/CFO Rose Marcario is set to become the company's first female chief executive in two decades.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 24, 2014

TigerDirect the latest to take bitcoin

The electronics e-retailer says it wants to give customers an alternative way to shop and pay, and will sell hardware to mint more.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 24, 2014

Neiman Marcus admits broader extent of breach

The disclosure comes as the FBI warns retailers of more trouble with payment system hacks.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 24, 2014

Esprit Holdings returns to profit

Stock of the clothing retailer surged in Hong Kong trading as it reported expectations of a “slight profit” for the first half of its fiscal year, compared with losses over the same period last year.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 24, 2014

iBeacon is here, but where is it going?

As the customer location tech is further developed and in more stores, how well it works for retailers and consumers alike remains to be seen.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 23, 2014

American Eagle Outfitters Inc. shares drop as CEO departs suddenly

Executive Chairman Jay L. Schottenstein will return temporarily until a replacement is found.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 23, 2014

Target cuts 475 jobs, leaves 700 vacancies open

The move is more likely due to the retailer’s disappointing sales and a forceful Canadian expansion than its recent costly data breach.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 23, 2014

Brink's to begin e-retail payment processing

The company’s trustworthy name may give it a boost in a crowded and confusing field.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 23, 2014

EBay reports a strong Q4 2013, rebuffs Paypal spinoff notion

Stock surged after it was disclosed that activist investor Carl C. Icahn has almost 1% of shares and wants to split the company.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 23, 2014

Best Buy getting its head out of the cloud

The company is selling its MindShift Technologies unit to Japan’s Ricoh in order to focus on electronics retailing.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 22, 2014

Old Navy best at pleasing online customers

Kohl’s, Amazon, Costco, and Macy’s almost tied the Gap-owned retailer in Forrester’s 2013 Q4 Customer Experience Index, with Macy’s making gains over its previous score.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 22, 2014

Sears to close Chicago Loop store

Shuttering its flagship outlet in its flagship city holds special meaning for Sears as it tries to stem its losses.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 22, 2014

Nordstrom opening third fulfillment center

The Pennsylvania facility will expand the retailer’s ability to meet the demands of its growing e-commerce business.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 22, 2014

Thule drastically improves its e-commerce site

The Swedish bike and ski gear company saw sales rise after making it easier for retailers to order online.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 21, 2014

Outdoor gear retailer Altrec files for bankruptcy

The Oregon-based online retailer says a credit-card breach two years ago sparked its financial woes.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 21, 2014

Bloomingdale’s chairman to retire

After nearly a quarter-century with the retailer, Mike Gould leaves a legacy of employee empowerment and philanthropy.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 21, 2014