CEOs say personalization is the key to success in music retail

The leaders of two of America’s top musical instrument retailers, Guitar Center and Sweetwater, say guiding customers through product discovery is key to sustaining sales momentum.

Amazon Fresh expansion continues as chain opens long-awaited stores

The company confirmed the opening of eight stores across five states and will continue to selectively add locations based on consumer response.

Dillard’s keeps the focus on expenses in Q3 as sales edge down

Compared to some rivals, the department store is less dependent on the holiday quarter when it comes to the year’s operating profits.

Amazon answers ultra-cheap Chinese marketplaces like Temu with ‘Amazon Haul’

The e-commerce giant is testing a selection priced under $20, with most under $10. Free shipping on orders over $25 will take a week or longer.

US holiday retail sales to reach $1 trillion

About a quarter of those sales will occur online this year, a Forrester report predicts.

The Weekly Closeout: E.l.f. Beauty enters Dollar General as retail preps for a new president

The beauty brand is looking to democratize its offerings, while retail trade groups and analysts sound the alarm on tariffs amid the election results.

Grove doubles down on DTC, will ditch brick-and-mortar partnerships

The sustainability-focused consumer products brand said that selling through retail stores generated few sales and has been “consistently unprofitable.”

ThredUp focuses on social commerce with new hire

The apparel reseller tapped Danielle Vermeer, co-founder and CEO of Teleport, for the newly created position. 

Sephora opens final location in Australia store expansion

The beauty retailer, which debuted three stores in the country this fall, said the locations reflect its passion for experiential retail.

As Trump rises again, so too might inflation

Some retailers could get hit hard by policies promised by the president-elect, especially tariffs and taxes, though tax breaks may be a tailwind.

NBA players Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball star in Foot Locker’s holiday campaign

Grammy-nominated artist Coi Leray is also featured in the ads, which will air across paid media, in-store displays, social channels and more.

BJ’s names new chief operations officer, chief supply chain officer

The promotions follow the resignation of Jeff Desroches, the company’s former chief operations officer.

About 200K veterans leave the military each year. Here’s why some choose retail careers.

Retail careers have much in common with the military, including striving for excellence in a people-led environment and tapping into teamwork to make it happen.

On pulls back on wholesale as Q3 sales surge more than 32%

The Swiss footwear brand said that opening flagship stores in China will help take advantage of its momentum in Asia.

Hurricane prep, recovery help drive Q3 growth at Home Depot

The company is also benefiting from its acquisition earlier this year of SRS Distribution, which is on track to contribute $6.4 billion in sales for the fiscal year.

REI taps former Sephora, Williams-Sonoma exec for chief marketer

Abigail Jacobs will oversee all marketing functions at the outdoor retailer, which has struggled to return to profitability in recent years.

Meta’s Los Angeles pop-up features Ray-Ban smart glasses

The company is promoting digital eyewear at its Meta Lab through December, with an eye to launching a shop-in-shop in Phoenix at the end of January. 

With latest investment, Vuori’s valuation hits $5.5B

An $825 million infusion led by General Atlantic and Stripes will fortify the athleisure brand’s already formidable challenge to market leader Lululemon.

‘Contradictions and mixed signals’ in the economy won’t affect holiday sales growth: NRF

The trade organization is maintaining its holiday forecast for the year, stating that households are in decent financial shape. 

DTC is dead. Long live DTC.

As a channel, it remains key to growth for many retailers. But the era of the DTC brand as we know it is over.

Capri revenue falls sharply as hopes of a Tapestry merger dim

Jimmy Choo saw single-digit growth, while the company attributed second quarter declines at Versace and Michael Kors to soft luxury demand.

Von Maur opens first store in Pennsylvania

The family-owned department store chain plans to open its first store in North Dakota next year and is investing $100 million to renovate its existing stores.

Grocers continue to add electronic shelf label software

Aldi, Gelson’s and Hornbacher’s have deployed Instacart's pick-to-light capability in stores.

The Weekly Closeout: Brooks Running hits revenue record and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet acquires former Big Lots stores

The running brand surpassed $1 billion in global revenue year to date, while Ollie’s acquired more leases from the bankrupt discounter.

Big Lots introduces new rewards app

The app is available to Big Rewards members and includes exclusive deals and a personalized dashboard, among other features.