Target's 141% digital growth during pandemic pushes sales and costs up

A booming top line masks the volatility in the retailer's business as the pandemic has forced extreme changes on an incredibly short timeline. 

By Ben Unglesbee • May 20, 2020

Brand licensing company Centric files for bankruptcy

The company has deals with Nautica, Kate Spade, Michael Kors and others, and blames the pandemic for disrupting its wholesale business and cash flow.

By Daphne Howland • May 20, 2020

Ch. 11 is J.C. Penney's best shot at a turnaround, but it's not a sure one

Bankruptcy will give the retailer a chance to shed debt and close stores. But when — and if — Penney makes it out, it still faces an ailing sector.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 19, 2020

Kohl's swings to $541M loss as closures decimate sales

The largely off-mall retailer has some distinct advantages over its peers, but new debt and a slow return to normal will likely hamper its progress.

By Daphne Howland • May 19, 2020

Pier 1 gets approval to liquidate stores, wind down operations

Liquidation sales will begin as soon as stores are able to reopen, and the company expects the process to wrap up by the end of October.

By Caroline Jansen • Updated June 1, 2020

Walmart nixes Jet as pandemic shopping pushes digital sales up 74%

Costs and sales surged as the COVID-19 crisis brought "the broadest set of challenges we've ever seen globally" to the retail giant during Q1.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 19, 2020

Rent the Runway CTO, president exit the company

The company, which specializes in the rental of designer clothing, has faced criticism for continuing to operate during the pandemic. 

By Kaarin Moore • May 19, 2020

Nordstrom closing its three Jeffrey specialty apparel stores

With the 16 full-line stores slotted for closure, the move further undermines the retailer's luxury play, as off-price Rack stores remain untouched.

By Daphne Howland • May 19, 2020

Office Depot to cut more than 13K jobs, close some stores

The office supplies retailer said it expects to save about $860 million by the end of 2023, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

By Daphne Howland • May 18, 2020

What Under Armour's resolute focus on performance wear says about its pandemic prospects

The athletics retailer already needed a win, and instead it's been met with a more challenging landscape and another surge in athleisure.

By Cara Salpini • May 18, 2020

J.C. Penney files for bankruptcy

The company plans to close about 242 stores and has new access to cash as it looks to shed debt and sell assets in Chapter 11.

By Ben Unglesbee • Updated May 18, 2020

J. Crew wins court approval for rent relief

The order allows the retailer to avoid $23 million in rent payments, a move landlords objected to.

By Ben Unglesbee • Updated May 27, 2020

Apparel collapse drags down retail in April

A significant e-commerce boost and a rise in grocery were unable to make up for record declines in clothing, furniture and electronics sales.

By Daphne Howland • May 15, 2020

Rite Aid partners with Instacart to deliver healthcare, grocery essentials

The drug store retailer is following a larger trend of companies strengthening their delivery options during the pandemic. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • May 15, 2020

Dillard's swings to $162M loss as Q1 sales plummet 47%

The Southern department store was slow to close some stores as the pandemic spread, and will have reopened a majority of its fleet by next week.

By Daphne Howland • May 15, 2020

Apparel faces post-pandemic decline even as stores reopen

While there's evidence of pent-up demand, a shift to e-commerce and wary consumers will hurt revenue and margins, analysts say.

By Daphne Howland • May 14, 2020

Bed Bath & Beyond taps L Brands exec as brand chief

Cindy Davis is CEO Mark Tritton's latest executive hire as he works to build out his team and turn around the struggling home retailer.

By Caroline Jansen • May 14, 2020

J.C. Penney pays out nearly $10M to execs as finances falter

The retailer, reported to be near bankruptcy, said it made compensation changes "to retain and continue to motivate" its top management team. 

By Ben Unglesbee • May 14, 2020

Hedge fund pushes for Neiman Marcus-Saks Fifth Avenue merger

Mudrick Capital Management envisions downsizing Neiman Marcus by nearly 30 locations and using the bankruptcy process to get the job done.

By Daphne Howland • May 13, 2020

J.C. Penney makes a missed $17M payment amid reports of looming bankruptcy

The retailer avoided default on its term loan facility while it reportedly is in talks with lenders to fund it in Chapter 11.

By Ben Unglesbee • Updated May 15, 2020

Neiman Marcus says it has a plan

But can a 113-year-old bankrupt luxury department store make a comeback in the middle of a pandemic?

By Daphne Howland • May 13, 2020

Your business is essential. How do you protect workers during a pandemic?

Cleaning should be much more regular, gloves don't do much to fight coronavirus and other tips from health experts. 

By Matt Leonard • May 13, 2020

As states grapple with reopening, retail industry thinks it has a 'blueprint'

Trade groups have put together checklists and procedures for retailers as governments reopen their economies and COVID-19 continues to spread.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 12, 2020

Half of Simon's malls to reopen within a week

Nearly 80 of the developer's retail properties are already running again, and CEO David Simon told analysts there's pent-up demand from consumers.

By Daphne Howland • May 12, 2020

GNC buys time on its debt

The vitamin and supplement retailer had said it did not have the cash to pay the debt coming due and that Chapter 11 might be an option.

By Ben Unglesbee • Updated May 18, 2020