Alibaba, offline giant Bailian team up on far-reaching retail tech initiative

The companies will leverage big data capabilities to boost integration between offline stores, merchandise, logistics and payment tools to improve efficiency and enhance consumer experience.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 20, 2017

Report: Apparel company Sunrise Brands bids on The Limited

Sunrise, which runs apparel brands from celebrities like Eva Longoria and Melissa McCarthy as well as Seven7 Jeans and American Rag, must top the $25.75 million stalking horse offer from private equity firm Sycamore Partners.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 17, 2017

Ralph Lauren taps its first CMO

Jonathan Bottomley will be the company’s first-ever chief marketing officer, and Tom Mendenhall will be brand president for its all-important fleet of men’s brands.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 17, 2017

GNC plummets on $433M Q4 loss, pleads for patience

"This performance simply does not reflect the business model we have today or what we are now capable of delivering for our customers and our shareholders," CEO Robert F. Moran told analysts Thursday.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 17, 2017

ReplyYes lands $6.5M to further m-commerce platform for lifestyle brands

The startup has also inked an exclusive agreement with Universal Music Group to create music, tickets and merchandise shopping opportunities for UMG artists and their fans worldwide.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 16, 2017

Facing investor pressure, Kate Spade to explore 'strategic alternatives'

Shares of the luxury retailer jumped 10% in pre-market trading on Thursday after the company gave in to investors clamoring for a takeover.

By Corinne Ruff • Feb. 16, 2017

Walgreens merchandising chief to depart

Linda Filler, who also serves as the chief marketing officer, will leave the drugstore chain on April 1, but will remain in a strategic advisory capacity.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 16, 2017

Cabela's-Bass Pro merger further in doubt as credit card business sale falters

Capitol One recently said it expects to withdraw its application to take over the credit card operation, and sales prospects for the outdoor retailer look dim.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 16, 2017

Lidl will open 20 US stores this summer

The highly anticipated German discount grocery will finally be opening its doors to American shoppers later this year.

By Doug Harris • Feb. 16, 2017

Under Armour CEO walks back pro-Trump remarks amid criticism, downgrade

Susquehanna International Group analyst Sam Poser slammed Kevin Plank in a note to investors, saying his comments undermined the brand’s efforts to “build a cool urban lifestyle brand in the foreseeable future.”

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 16, 2017

HHGregg mulls debt restructuring, turnaround

The electronics and appliance retailer is faltering in the face of stiff competition, including expansions in the space by Amazon and J.C. Penney.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 16, 2017

Reports: January retail sales rise 0.4%, analysts warn volatile year ahead

"The sector is in for another choppy year,” cautions GlobalData Retail Managing Director Neil Saunders.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 16, 2017

Wal-Mart sued over questions of private label craft beer authenticity

The suit alleges that the retailer intended to deceive customers into buying a higher-priced product they think is craft beer produced by a small U.S. brewer.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 15, 2017

Retail CEOs sit down with President Trump on border tax

The immediate reaction from executives like Target's Brian Cornell and AutoZone's Bill Rhodes was positive, said a RILA spokeswoman.

By Corinne Ruff • Feb. 15, 2017

Wal-Mart lands online outdoor retailer Moosejaw for $51M

The world’s largest retailer continues gobbling up online merchants in its ongoing quest to resuscitate its flagging e-commerce efforts.

By Jason Ankeny • Feb. 15, 2017

J. Crew rejuvenates merchandise with party dress collection

The brand in trying to revamp its clothing lines with the help of lead womenswear designer Somsack Sikhounmuong, despite mounting debt and legal problems.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 15, 2017

Amazon filing hints Prime members top 65M worldwide

A 10-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission reveals that sales of Amazon's retail subscription services (including worldwide annual and monthly fees from its Prime membership program) reached $6.4 billion in 2016.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 15, 2017

Is Trump's attack on Nordstrom fair or foul?

Everyone is talking about President Trump's skirmish with Nordstrom over its decision to halt sales of Ivanka Trump's merchandise line. Ten retail experts share their perspective on the controversy.

By Jason Ankeny • Feb. 15, 2017

BJ's Wholesale reportedly prepping for sale or IPO

Private equity owners acquired the warehouse retailer in 2011, took it private and paid investors dividends several times since. It appears the time is ripe for them to cash out.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 15, 2017

American Girl releases first American boy doll 'Logan'

The brand's owner Mattel has also inked a major deal with Alibaba to sell in China and develop state-of-the-art educational toys for the Chinese market.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 15, 2017

Retail chiefs heading to Capitol Hill for border tax fight

Executives from Target, Best Buy, Gap, AutoZone and others will meet with members of Congress and their staff, though it’s not clear whether they’ll also head to the White House.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 14, 2017

Investor sues Under Armour for misrepresenting sales, growth

A lawsuit filed in Maryland says the athletic apparel company made false or misleading statements that have resulted in losses for shareholders.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 14, 2017

Women's apparel chain J.Jill files for IPO

In a rare positive move for specialty apparel retail, the chain is returning to Wall Street after years in turnaround under private equity ownership.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 13, 2017

Neiman Marcus turning to plus-size fashion at off-price stores

The struggling upscale department store is testing out shop-within-shop boutiques with a range of larger sizes to capture an under-served market.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 13, 2017

Sears, Kmart join retailers in dropping Trump brands

The retailers will cease e-commerce sales of 31 items in the “Trump Home” collections, following similar moves by Nordstrom, Belk and T.J. Maxx.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 13, 2017