Alibaba's Ma: 'If you want to sue us, sue us'

Investigations and lawsuits offer greater insight into Alibaba's business practices, according to its founder.

By Daphne Howland • July 11, 2016

Analysts warn Gap needs more time despite promising June sales

June was a ray of sunshine for the struggling apparel retailer, but analysts want to see more improvement.

By Daphne Howland • July 11, 2016

Eyeing e-commerce efficiencies, Nordstrom buys stake in software platform

The department store has promised cost-cutting and investments to improve its e-commerce margins.

By Daphne Howland • July 11, 2016

Wal-Mart combats Amazon Prime Day with no-minimum free shipping

The retailer is offering free shipping on all online orders during the week of July 11, its latest move to steal some thunder from Amazon's much-publicized Prime Day shopping event.

By Daphne Howland • July 11, 2016

June same-store sales beat expectations

Gap Inc. shares climbed 2.6% in late trading after the company's same-store sales increased 2% in June.

By Daphne Howland • July 8, 2016

Wal-Mart, J.C. Penney launch rival Amazon Prime Day sales

Kohl's and Newegg also are seizing on the buzz generated by Amazon’s Prime Day event to launch their own major midsummer sales.

By Daphne Howland • July 8, 2016

U.S. officials seize $6.5m in counterfeit goods in Puerto Rico

The sting targeted retailers accused of selling fakes with labels from Michael Kors, Gucci, Prada, Chanel and others. 

By Daphne Howland • July 8, 2016

Target overhauls kids apparel line under new Cat & Jack brand

The Cat & Jack line replaces Target's mainstay Cherokee and Circo labels.

By Daphne Howland • July 8, 2016

Retail Therapy: Now hiring? Kanye West's Yeezy apparel project

Also in this week's Retail Therapy: Staples takes the gloves off on Twitter and the internet reveals the craziest Costco returns. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • July 8, 2016

Mall vacancies rise as traditional locations falter

“The heyday of department stores is clearly in the past,” according to real estate research firm Reis’ chief economist.

By Daphne Howland • July 7, 2016

Amazon UK downplays Brexit impact, plans to add 1,000 jobs

Many have speculated that newly-drawn lines created by the so-called Brexit vote would impede Amazon’s fulfillment, shipping and hiring efforts, stalling its ambitious expansion plans. 

By Daphne Howland • July 7, 2016

CPSC recalls 500k hoverboards over fire hazard

The self balancing scooters, a huge holiday hit last year, have caused burns and fires due to overheating of their lithium-ion batteries.

By Daphne Howland • July 7, 2016

Walgreens confident Rite Aid merger will go through

The company expects to close only 500 stores as part of the the $9.4 billion deal, far below many analysts’ expectations.

By Daphne Howland • July 7, 2016

J.C. Penney offshores some IT jobs, but plans to beef up tech effort

Some IT jobs at the retailer's Plano, TX headquarters that have been filled by contract employees likely will be cut and offshored to its new Bangalore, India office.

By Dan O'Shea • July 6, 2016

Ikea under pressure to extend dresser recall to China

Many are criticizing Ikea's decision to limit the recall of 29 million dressers to North America.

By Daphne Howland • July 6, 2016

Report: Staples considering sale of UK stores

Many of Staples' 107 stores in the UK are in poor retail locations, which could make them difficult to sell off.

By Daphne Howland • July 6, 2016

Deadly Dhaka attack could stymie garment industry reforms

Worker activists in Bangladesh fear their cause will suffer after the Friday attack that killed 20 hostages.

By Daphne Howland • July 6, 2016

Report: Back-to-school shopping sales to grow 2.6%

But much of the rise is in e-commerce, which promises to slice into profits.

By Daphne Howland • July 5, 2016

Amazon said to be planning bookstore for NYC's Hudson Yards

The location would bring Amazon's physical store effort to the East Coast. 

By Daphne Howland • July 5, 2016

Ikea pledges higher quality as consumer expectations change

The Swedish furniture giant aims to attract new customers, including older consumers that don’t consider Ikea when it’s time to redecorate.

By Daphne Howland • July 5, 2016

Nike founder Phil Knight steps down, Tim Cook named lead independent director

Nike President/CEO Mark Parker will replace Knight as chairman, completing a succession plan initiated a year ago.  

By Daphne Howland • July 1, 2016

Dick's Sporting Goods wins Sports Authority brand name at auction

The sportswear retailer could use the Sports Authority's name for an off-price effort, one analyst speculates.

By Daphne Howland • July 1, 2016

VF unloads struggling contemporary brands unit for $120m

Israeli apparel company Delta Galil will acquire 7 for All Mankind, Splendid, and Ella Moss in what looks to be a win-win deal.

By Daphne Howland • July 1, 2016

California lawmaker withdraws bill to end 'pink tax' retail pricing disparity

Retailers and manufactures had opposed California state Sen. Ben Hueso's bill, which sought to block stores from charging more for products marketed for women and girls. 

By Daphne Howland • July 1, 2016

Court rejects Visa, MasterCard swipe-fee settlement with retailers

The NRF applauded the move, saying the deal "failed to represent the interests of retailers."

By Dan O'Shea • June 30, 2016