The Latest

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  GameStop sales drop in key categories amid ongoing strategic shift

  However, the company swung to a net income in Q1 and reported an improvement in its operating loss.

  Operations

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  Sponsored by Coveo

  Same query, different intent: The revenue risk of irrelevant search results

  How irrelevant search results are working against your bottom line.

  Marketing

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  Deep Dive

  Checkout-free payments may yet rise

  Rapidly advancing artificial intelligence could let cashierless payment companies succeed where Grabango failed, industry insiders and observers say.

  Operations

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  Designer Brands pulls guidance but is ‘cautiously optimistic’ about back to school, holiday

  Tariffs have scrambled supply and demand more than anticipated. But its confusing value proposition isn’t helping, one analyst says.

  Operations

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  Tracker

  The running list of major retail deals

  In May alone, Andie made its first acquisition, E.l.f Beauty snapped up Rhode and Skechers went private.

  Updated June 9, 2025

  Operations

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  Dr. Martens plans shift to ‘consumer-first’ mindset

  After revenue fell by double digits in the latest fiscal year, the footwear brand is instituting a new growth strategy.

  DTC

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  Bark eyes price increases to offset tariffs

  The company delivered its first adjusted EBITDA positive year, after the company “lost $58 million and burned nearly $200 million in cash” three years ago, according to its CEO.

  Operations

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  Dollar General expands home offering with celebrity brands, designers

  The company is focusing on affordable prices from recognizable, national brands, including Ki by Kathy Ireland. 

  Operations

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  For more consumers, back-to-school shopping starts now

  Many parents consider this year to be “financially challenging” or “stressful,” in part due to price hikes, according to a survey. 

  Consumer Trends

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  DTC footwear brand Oofos opens first stores

  A location in Virginia has already opened and the active recovery brand will open locations in Georgia and Florida later this month.

  Operations

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  Walmart challenges consumer perceptions with ‘Who Knew?’ campaign

  In a 60-second spot set to The Who’s “Who Are You,” “White Lotus” star Walton Goggins dishes on the retailer’s perks following a January brand refresh.

  Marketing

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  Column

  The Weekly Closeout: Nike appoints innovation chief and retailers face cyberattacks

  The athletics retailer filled in the role behind John Hoke, while Victoria’s Secret, Adidas and The North Face have recently reported security breaches.

  Executives

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  Ollie’s takeover of Big Lots leases ‘off to a very strong start’

  The company took over dozens of leases at the start of the year, and openings have been “smoother than we had anticipated,” executives said. 

  Operations

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  Retail job cuts surge in 2025’s first half

  In the U.S., job losses were up 274% from last year, while hiring plans remain “historically low,” according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

  Operations

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  Tariffs squeeze off-price retailers more than expected

  The major players likely have greater exposure to import levies than previously thought, though their value proposition remains an advantage.

  Operations

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  Amazon confirms layoffs in books business

  A move to streamline some roles affects fewer than 100 people and doesn’t reflect downsizing in the books organization, the company said.

  Operations

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  Kirkland’s appoints UpWest, Richer Poorer vet as COO

  James Schisler takes on oversight of the home retailer’s operations. Meanwhile, Beyond has tapped a former Kirkland’s CEO for the board.

  Operations

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  Q&A

  How Stitch Fix’s brand platform is helping drive transformation

  Chief Marketing Officer Debbie Woloshin speaks about artificial intelligence and staying agile in her first interview since joining the company.

  Marketing

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  Walmart to expand drone delivery to 5 more cities

  Customers in Atlanta, Houston and more will be able to tap into the technology by next year as part of the retailer's deepening collaboration with Wing.

  Operations

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  Petco reaffirms full-year guidance even as Q1 sales fall

  While its owned brands are more directly exposed to tariffs, executives said the retailer can deliver on its outlook if levies remain at current levels.

  Operations

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  Deep Dive

  What went wrong at Target?

  The mass merchant is looking to turn around falling sales and declining customer sentiment. But first, it needs to diagnose its own problems.

  Operations

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  Lululemon to raise prices as progress stalls in the US

  As the retailer plans modest tariff-induced price hikes, CEO Calvin McDonald said U.S. shoppers are growing more "discerning" than those in Canada.

  Operations

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  Five Below CFO exits as Q1 sales jump 20%

  COO Kenneth Bull will serve as interim financial chief while the company continues to focus on assortment newness. 

  Operations

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  Column

  The Weekly Closeout: Foot Locker sales fall and GameStop makes a bitcoin play

  In the lead-up to its acquisition by rival Dick’s, the athletics retailer said it saw soft traffic trends. Meanwhile, the gaming retailer’s stock fell on its latest move.

  Operations

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  Torrid to close as many as 180 stores, 30% of its fleet

  The plus-size apparel retailer already keeps about 60% of sales and customers from shuttered locations, and plans to invest in retention efforts. 

  Operations

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  Joann’s future a mystery as Michaels snaps up IP, private labels

  The move comes amid growing interest in fabrics and sewing at Michaels, but it’s not clear what it means for the Joann brand.

  Operations

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