Bucking trend, JC Penney hiring many more seasonal workers

Kohl’s and Target, meanwhile, are keeping holiday hiring relatively steady, and outplacement firm Challenger Gray and Christmas says that will be the norm.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 20, 2016

Costco, Sam's Club target businesses via new express delivery offerings

Costco Business Center in San Diego will start offering two-hour grocery delivery, while Sam's Club is offering next-day delivery in the Dallas, Tulsa and Miami markets. 

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 19, 2016

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

Retailers breathing easier as Hanjin unloads more cargo

Crews have unloaded 28 of the bankrupt shipper's 97 vessels, easing fears that merchandise needed for the holiday shopping season would be left stranded.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 19, 2016

August import volume shifts to East Coast ahead of holidays

The volume of imports at two of the country’s major ports fell overall in August, even as retailers are already leery of complications wrought by the bankruptcy of South Korean shipper Hanjin.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 16, 2016

Target's turnaround emphasizes omnichannel, in-store efforts

Facing a surprise slump, the retailer is getting assertive in grocery, pricing and omnichannel.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 16, 2016

UPS hiring 95,000 for holidays for third consecutive year

In recent years, more than 37% of staffers hired for UPS seasonal package handler jobs were hired into permanent positions following the holidays.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 14, 2016

Google scales Express last-mile delivery, dumps perishables sales

The company is also is increasing its retailer partner ranks, although different merchants have signed on in various areas of the country.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 14, 2016

NRF: Cargo volume steady despite Hanjin bankruptcy

But the cost of moving merchandise is rising as retailers scramble to stock shelves and warehouses for the holidays.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 13, 2016

Bankrupt Hanjin begins unloading cargo at Long Beach port

There are some encouraging signs that the merchandise retailers need for the holidays will get moving again despite the financial troubles plaguing the world’s seventh-largest ocean shipper.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 12, 2016

Wal-Mart pulls some Welspun sheets after cotton controversy

The retailer joins Target in giving customers refunds on the sheets, whose provenance the Indian supplier can’t verify.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 12, 2016

Amazon to make Prime Now tailgate deliveries to 49ers' stadium

Prime subscribers can order deliveries directly to the Levi's Stadium parking lot in the hours preceding San Francisco 49ers home games this football season.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 8, 2016

Tommy Hilfiger makes runway fashion instantly available

The brand is the latest to abandon the tradition of making shoppers wait for new designs introduced during fashion shows.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 8, 2016

Mercedes-Benz developing electric delivery vans with roof-mounted drones

The automated drones are designed to carry small online orders for a distance of up to six miles.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 7, 2016

Officials: Gap warehouse fire 'incendiary in nature'

The retailer's Fishkill distribution complex, which represents 10% of its nationwide warehouse capacity, was intentionally set on fire on Aug. 29.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 7, 2016

Hanjin seeks bankruptcy protection in more countries

The South Korean ocean shipper’s troubles are spiking the costs of moving retail merchandise just as merchants are gearing up for the holidays.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 6, 2016

Gap scrambles to move merchandise in wake of NY fire

Investigators are still probing the origins of a blaze that enveloped the retailer's Northeast region distribution complex last week, damaging about 25% of one building beyond repair and causing major smoke and water damage.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 6, 2016

UPS plans shipping rate hikes after holiday shopping season

Ground and air shipping prices are increasing by an average of 4.9%, starting the day after Christmas.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 5, 2016

Retailers scramble to work around Hanjin Shipping bankruptcy

The National Retail Federation is urging railroads and trucking companies to get cargo moving, and the Retail Industry Leaders Association wants the U.S. government to step in.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 2, 2016

Wal-Mart starts early layaway for 'Star Wars'-driven holiday season

Analysts suggest the layaway program, which allows shoppers to buy products by paying in installments, could account for as much as 15% of holiday revenues at Wal-Mart stores in poorer areas of the U.S.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 1, 2016

South Korean shipper Hanjin files bankruptcy, roiling global retail supply chain

Hanjin is the world’s seventh largest shipping company by capacity, and its struggles threaten to disrupt retailers preparing for the all-important holiday shopping season. 

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 1, 2016

Gap suffers major fire in NY warehouse

No employees were injured during the fire, but stores in the Northeast could be left without merchandise.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 31, 2016

J. Crew to sell women's apparel via Nordstrom

Brands like Coach and Ralph Lauren are pulling back from department stores, but after a successful partnership with its Madewell brand, J. Crew is going all in.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 30, 2016

Improving inventory levels face price competition

Many retailers have worked through the excess merchandise that piled up this year, but consumers are still hungry for a good deal.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 30, 2016

Wal-Mart wages court battle over Texas liquor sales restrictions

The retail giant is battling years-old provisions regulating how liquor is bought and sold in Texas, with some restrictions dating back to Prohibition.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 29, 2016

Report: Target looking to replace Welspun with rival Trident

It's not the first time the Indian textile vendor is under scrutiny. The Wall Street Journal reports Wal-Mart investigated its use of inauthentic Egyptian cotton in 2008.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 29, 2016