Market insights: Analysis of 500 brands reveals gaps that retailers can turn into competitive advantages

Four takeaways stand out as critical to retail performance in the months ahead.

May 16, 2022

The Weekly Closeout: Eddie Bauer CEO exits and Target workers move to unionize

Damien Huang had only been CEO for about a year, while Target's Christiansburg, Virginia, employees seek higher wages.

By Retail Dive Staff • May 13, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

Digital innovation and technology trends in retail

Generative AI and TikTok Shop have replaced the metaverse and NFTs as the hot topics of the day — here’s a look at how brands are using them.

By Retail Dive staff

Instacart files confidentially for IPO

The announcement is a long-awaited step for the San Francisco-based company, which did not disclose further details on its potential offering. 

By Catherine Douglas Moran , Jeff Wells • May 13, 2022

Crate and Barrel names SVP of the metaverse

Looking to unify growth across its brands, the home goods retailer also promoted two other executives to new roles.

By Dani James • May 12, 2022

Dollar Tree taps former Dollar General execs for help with supply chain, merchandising

The hires are the latest with experience at the dollar store's rival to join, along with new executive chair Richard Dreiling.  

By Ben Unglesbee • May 12, 2022

J.C. Penney taps new marketing chief

John Aylward takes the job next month, in the midst of the struggling department store's latest attempt to reset.

By Daphne Howland • May 12, 2022

Trove president promoted to CEO

Gayle Tait, who previously worked at Google and L’Oréal, is taking the company’s helm, while founder Andy Ruben moves to an executive chairman role. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • May 12, 2022

Carhartt hires new SVP of DTC

The premium workwear brand recently opened its 35th U.S. retail location, signaling its interest in direct-to-consumer growth.

By Dani James • May 12, 2022

Best Buy just launched a $200 home pick-up recycling program. Is it necessary?

For consumers looking to avoid e-waste, retailers are filling a gap left by manufacturers.

By Kaarin Moore • May 12, 2022

Amazon faces worker demands — from shareholders

The Securities and Exchange Commission's new focus on "social policy significance" means some activist proposals will get a vote at the e-commerce giant's annual meeting this month.

By Daphne Howland • May 11, 2022

Allbirds' first wholesale deals are with Zalando and Public Lands

The company's own physical footprint is also performing well, with U.S. stores growing "well in excess of 150%" in the first quarter.

By Cara Salpini • May 11, 2022

Kohl's board survives activist challenge

Shareholders' rejection of a further board shakeup signals confidence in CEO Michelle Gass, but doesn't necessarily rule out a sale.

By Daphne Howland • May 11, 2022

Sally Beauty updates mobile app to offer 2-hour delivery with DoorDash

CEO Denise Paulonis said that 80% of the beauty retailer's customers engage with it via mobile devices.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • May 11, 2022

Self-checkout tech maker Mashgin raises $62.5M

The company's touchless checkout system doesn't need barcodes and instead uses AI and computer vision to identify products. 

By Catherine Douglas Moran , Sam Silverstein • May 11, 2022

Shoes.com website trades hands again, this time to DSW owner

The domain has been bought and sold by industry players the past two decades, with Walmart and a private equity firm among its most recent owners.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 10, 2022

Buy now, pay later players' losses grow as costs soar

BNPL providers are paying a hefty price to keep up with surging consumer demand for their financing services, spending large sums to add new tech and more employees. 

By Jonathan Berr • May 10, 2022

Ikea to invest more than $3B in stores

Ikea's largest franchisee, Ingka Group, will work to update its physical locations across 32 markets to support the retailer's online operations.

By Caroline Jansen • May 10, 2022

For future growth, Reebok is looking to its past

A new owner could be an opportunity for the brand to reclaim some of its previous clout. But it's been a long time since Reebok's prime.

By Cara Salpini • May 10, 2022

Party City misses estimates, sees more helium pain ahead

Sales and profits suffered as consumers reacted to omicron, inflation, war and the end of government stimulus measures.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 9, 2022

Neiman Marcus Group expands paid parental leave

In a tight labor market, companies are finding ways, beyond wage hikes, to attract and keep talent. Workers are aware of their struggle.

By Daphne Howland • May 9, 2022

Best Buy expands in-store assortment of beauty and e-transportation products

Furniture is also playing a bigger role at the electronics giant after its acquisition of DTC brand Yardbird in November last year.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • May 9, 2022

Stitch Fix to stylists: 'Take ownership of the disappointment, no matter the role the data played'

Is the apparel e-retailer a tech company? Or not?

By Daphne Howland • May 9, 2022

Under Armour expects protracted supply chain challenges to temper sales

The sportswear brand has been strategically canceling orders as COVID-19 disrupts China and delays and capacity shortfalls persist. 

By Ben Unglesbee • May 6, 2022

Adidas aims to fill the Nike gap at Foot Locker with expanded partnership

The new deal makes Foot Locker the "lead partner" for Adidas' basketball offerings and is expected to generate $2 billion in sales by 2025.

By Cara Salpini • May 6, 2022

Shopify buys Deliverr for $2.1B to accelerate fulfillment network expansion

The planned acquisition is a new step in Shopify's bid to build an end-to-end logistics platform. 

By Max Garland • May 6, 2022