Belk grabs The Limited as exclusive label

Once a definer of casual fashion, the brand will become a department store label for working women.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 6, 2017

L'Occitane store redesign promotes 'multi-sensory' experience

The beauty retailer's immersive store is designed with the elements in mind, with hopes that shoppers engage with products on different levels. 

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 5, 2017

New Walgreens branding emphasizes distant past

The move comes just a day after rival CVS blasted into the future with the news it would acquire health insurer Aetna for $69 billion.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 5, 2017

Ann Taylor-parent Ascena sees sales sag

The company is closing stores as it tries to regroup, but it's suffering from fashion misses at more than one of its brands.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 5, 2017

4 major questions about the proposed CVS-Aetna merger

The $69 billion merger announced Sunday is the kind of deal that can upend an industry.

By Shannon Muchmore • Dec. 5, 2017

Charming Charlie to close stores, cut corporate staff

The women's accessories retailer is scaling back operations in an effort to get leaner, as fears of a financial default swirl.

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 5, 2017

Five Below keeps adding stores as sales soar

The retailer is managing all manner of trends and fostering a treasure hunt atmosphere, but it could get harder to top its own results going forward.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 5, 2017

Guitar Center downgraded

The guitar retailer may negotiate a debt exchange, but S&P analysts warn a transaction could be "tantamount to default."

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 5, 2017

Gap lost 54% of its shoppers in one year

What's more, almost four out of every 10 (38%) of the retailer's lost customers shopped at Old Navy instead, according to research from 1010data.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 5, 2017

Toys R Us to shutter 25% of UK stores

The toy retailer is also looking for more time before submitting a plan to reorganize following its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in September. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 5, 2017

Patagonia: 'The president stole your land'

The outdoor retailer is taking a political stance, a move that has played well with customers in the past, by suing the administration over its recent reduction of protected lands.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 5, 2017

Technology of the Year: Alexa

Some 5.6 million Americans will use a voice-activated assistant device at least once a month this year, a 129% increase over last. Amazon is the leader in this space, by a lot, and there are few who doubt the growing power of Alexa.  

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 4, 2017

Executive of the Year: Marc Lore

Few executives have had as big an impact in as short a time as Marc Lore. Since joining Walmart as head of U.S. e-commerce, online sales have exploded and the company is building a stable of brands to rival its biggest rival. 

By Laura Heller • Dec. 4, 2017

The Retail Dive Awards for 2017

The 2017 Retail Dive Awards recognize the industry’s top disruptors and innovators. These executives, companies and trends are transforming the industry and shaping the future.

By Corinne Ruff , Ben Unglesbee , Laura Heller , Cara Salpini • Dec. 4, 2017

Deal of the Year: Amazon buys Whole Foods

No other acquisition this year even comes close to the significance this merger will have on retail, across categories and channels. 

By Corinne Ruff • Dec. 4, 2017

Turnaround of the Year: Target

Target has clawed its way out of a pretty big hole, one left by complacent management and an ill-fated expansion into Canada. It's taken time, but the mass merchant has reclaimed its rightful place as a purveyor of unique, well-priced merchandise. 

By Corinne Ruff • Dec. 4, 2017

Store Concept of the Year: Sephora

In a retail landscape where experience is increasingly key to customer enjoyment, Sephora's store concepts are tech-heavy and service-oriented in a way many brick-and-mortar retailers haven't matched.

By Cara Salpini • Dec. 4, 2017

Prepare to drop 'shopping' from retail's emphasis

The vision outlined by commercial real estate services and investment firm CBRE is already emerging at several malls and retailers, most vividly at Apple.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 4, 2017

Swarovski launches AR app experience at holiday pop-up

Perfect's YouCam apps let mobile users virtually try on holiday-inspired makeup and crystal jewelry from the brand.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 4, 2017

Disappointment of the Year: J. Crew

Amid a mass exodus of top executives this spring, J. Crew seems ill-prepared to find the way back to its core consumer base as the retailer struggles to fight off falling sales and a large debt load.

By Cara Salpini • Dec. 4, 2017

Ulta online sales soar 63%

Even as the beauty retailer boosts e-commerce and omnichannel growth, it plans to keep building stores, with 100 slated to open next year. 

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 4, 2017

Retailer of the Year: Amazon

Try as we might, there's really no competition. Whether through acquisitions or in-house innovation, Amazon is setting the bar high and everyone else is just trying to come close. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 4, 2017

CVS Health to buy Aetna for $69B

This move is a massive, if natural extension of CVS's ambitions to become an overall healthcare company and one that could alter the drugstore landscape. 

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 4, 2017

GapKids teams up with Sarah Jessica Parker

The actress has brought her style chops to various brands at different price points, and the Gap spring collection will be available worldwide.

By Daphne Howland , Cara Salpini • Dec. 4, 2017

J.C. Penney cuts ties with Russell Simmons apparel

The Def Jam Recordings co-founder, who founded Argyleculture, is facing multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 4, 2017