Dive Brief:

• Same-store sales at department stores like Macy’s, Nordstrom, and even J.C. Penney are expected to rise for the second quarter, analysts say.

• While sales at department stores are significantly down from their high point at the turn of the 21st century, and many have gone out of business or merged, some are doing quite well, according to Fortune magazine.

• Macy’s and Nordstrom are also becoming attractive venues for third-party brands, revamping their stores, embracing new technology and taking advantage of their brick-and-mortar infrastructure to aid their e-commerce efforts.

Dive Insight:

Not long ago department stores seemed to have already seen their glory days, but a new chapter may be (re)opening.

Not only have they dusted off their brick-and-mortar buildings and revamped their approach to displays, but many department stores, like Macy’s and Nordstrom, have also embraced many retail innovations like pop-up shops.And one of the advantages that department stores have long had is stellar customer service, an old idea that has become ever more essential to retail success on and offline.