Workers at Amazon, Target plan strike

The walkout was organized in protest of what some major retailer employees say is inadequate protection and compensation amid a deadly pandemic.

By Ben Unglesbee • Updated May 1, 2020

More than half of mall-based department stores could close in two years

Losing their anchors will have a cascading effect that will hasten the permanent closure of many malls, according to real estate firm Green Street Advisors.

By Daphne Howland • April 30, 2020

The Backroom: Retail responds to the coronavirus

On this episode, the team spoke with guest Jeff Wells of Grocery Dive, to discuss how the pandemic is changing all sectors of the industry.

By Caroline Jansen • April 30, 2020

Apparel retailers are in trouble

The outbreak is making a bad situation worse when it comes to selling clothes. Some companies are better off than others, but all are challenged.

By Daphne Howland • April 30, 2020

Allbirds steps into performance footwear market

On Tuesday, the DTC brand launched its first ever running shoe, propelling it into the athletics space.

By Cara Salpini • April 29, 2020

Best Buy resumes 'Geek Squad' and delivery services

Next month the electronics retailer will also open about 200 stores for appointments. Demand has ebbed after a busy March, research shows.

By Daphne Howland • April 29, 2020

Guitar Center makes debt payment, dodges default

The musical instrument retailer said it addressed its interest payments for April through a deal that gave it extra liquidity to handle the pandemic.

By Ben Unglesbee • Updated May 18, 2020

Pandemic could cost Tractor Supply an extra $50M in operations spend

About 80% of the expected expenses are related to labor or benefits, while the remaining 20% is for supplies, safety and cleaning, executives said. 

By Matt Leonard • April 29, 2020

Suppliers are feeling retail's pain, too

As retailers cancel orders and hold payments, their vendors are stretched for cash, making hard decisions and worried about what comes next. 

By Ben Unglesbee • April 29, 2020

SKU'd: The day 300K retail workers were furloughed

The pandemic has pushed retail employees to the limit, threatening both their economic futures and the very nature of their jobs.

By Kaarin Moore • April 29, 2020

With nearly 60 malls reopened, Simon plots more

The mall operator reported better-than-expected foot traffic and sales at the newly reopened malls.

By Ben Unglesbee • Updated May 7, 2020

Chico's plans to reopen stores starting May 4

The apparel retailer will use store inventory to fulfill online orders, offer in-store pickup, including curbside, and begin selling by appointment.

By Daphne Howland • April 28, 2020

How COVID-19 could change the retail landscape

As stores are forced shut, landlords and tenants are feuding. If they don't work it out, the streets might be altered forever.

By Daphne Howland • April 28, 2020

Adidas warns worse to come as Q1 profits plunge 97%

Strength in e-commerce wasn't enough to offset sales lost to store closures, as the athletic retailer also took a nearly 20% hit to revenue in the quarter.

By Daphne Howland • April 27, 2020

S&P downgrades Macy's on worsening economic outlook

The agency's economists now predict a 5.2% contraction of real GDP this year, so the department store faces steep declines in discretionary spending.

By Daphne Howland • April 27, 2020

S&P: Pandemic 'catastrophic' for retail

Analysts write that the industry is "squarely in the crosshairs" of the current crisis, with even strong players like TJX and Ross under financial pressure.

By Ben Unglesbee • April 27, 2020

Gap downgraded as it raises new debt to stay afloat

The retailer's brand, flexible leases and well-developed e-commerce help, but the pandemic will continue to pressure sales and margins, analysts said.

By Daphne Howland • April 27, 2020

L Brands slams Sycamore for bargaining down Victoria's Secret price

In a countersuit Thursday, the retailer called the private equity firm's claims "buyer's remorse" and "a pretext for its invalid and improper termination."

By Daphne Howland • April 24, 2020

WSJ: J.C. Penney moves closer to bankruptcy

The retailer is working with lenders on a financing package to fund it through a court process after missing an interest payment, the newspaper reported. 

By Ben Unglesbee • April 24, 2020

Walmart, Nextdoor partner to facilitate shopping assistance

The retailer's latest effort to provide safe purchase options puts consumers who need help buying essentials in touch with neighbors willing to do it for them.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • April 24, 2020

Target's digital sales skyrocket, but at the expense of profit

The retailer said it's capitalizing on e-commerce demand in categories like grocery and gaining market share that will benefit it down the road.

By Jeff Wells • April 23, 2020

Gap Inc. says some stores will never reopen

The apparel retailer is withholding rent and talking to landlords, but warns that the steps it's taken so far have been no match for lost sales.

By Daphne Howland • April 23, 2020

Walmart taps Target exec for chief marketer

William White is stepping in as CMO to replace Barbara Messing, who resigned last August after less than a year in the role. 

By Ben Unglesbee • April 23, 2020

Sycamore looks to back out of Victoria's Secret deal

The private equity firm asked a court to free it from an agreement, signed two months ago, that would give it a majority stake in the lingerie brand.

By Daphne Howland • April 22, 2020

With shuttered stores and slashed budgets, retail marketers have only tough choices left

If retailers don't cut costs, they may not be able to pay for essential functions. But cut too deeply and it may be hard for brands to get back out.

By Cara Salpini • April 22, 2020