L.L. Bean still struggling to meet demand for signature boots

The company refuses to outsource production of the boots or change its manufacturing methods much.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 30, 2015

UPDATED: Ralph Lauren to step down as CEO

Old Navy president Stefan Larsson has been named as his successor.  

By Kelsey Lindsey • Sept. 29, 2015

Gap expanding life skills education for female factory workers

Gap’s P.A.C.E. program includes classes in communications skills, financial literacy, stress management, problem-solving, and decision-making.  

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 29, 2015

Target broadens its list of problematic chemicals in consumer goods

An advocacy group lauds the programs from Target and Wal-Mart to limit harmful chemicals, but says they could be even stronger.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 29, 2015

Bonobos hires first chief people officer as it rapidly grows

The move comes with founder Andy Dunn back at the helm after briefly stepping down as CEO.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 29, 2015

Customer trust: Hard won, easily lost

Retailers have an enormous number of opportunities—online, in store, on mobile, and through marketing—to forge, maintain, or break their customers’ trust.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 28, 2015

American Apparel warned of being delisted from NYSE

The struggling retailer hasn’t met the New York Stock Exchange's listing standards.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 28, 2015

Ross Stores to expand as off-price segment heats up

The discount space for apparel and home goods is getting more competitive, which could be bad news for retailers with higher-priced flagship brands.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 28, 2015

E-book sales aren't really falling, except for traditional publishers: Fortune

Rather than a triumph of print over digital books, the figures are attributed in part to greater sales of independently published books.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 25, 2015

Adidas addresses environmental impact of clothing manufacture

The company will look to develop products that can be recycled many times over, eschew chemical additives, and create near-zero waste.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 25, 2015

Cole Haan employs Instagram to sell direct in app

The retailer brings Instagram images into its app, where shoppers can browse and buy.

By Ian P. Murphy • Sept. 25, 2015

Nike posts big profit jump thanks to China sales

China’s economy may have hit the brakes this summer, but Nike sales there haven’t.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 25, 2015

H&M unfazed by China's economic stumbles

The retailer’s planned expansion of some 240 stores will be mostly in the U.S. and China.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 25, 2015

Google adds to cybersecurity firm's financing

Zscaler now valued more than $1 billion. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Sept. 25, 2015

Holiday sales to see only modest rise this year

Due to the stubborn wage gap in the U.S., a new Deloitte forecast says the holidays won’t be so very merry this year for retailers.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 24, 2015

J.C. Penney promotes new chief merchant from its own ranks

J.C. Penney is among the retailers sticking with the old-fashioned chief merchant rather than algorithm-centric executives.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 24, 2015

In an age of disruption, where is Wal-Mart going?

Wal-Mart was once retail's biggest disrupter. But now that retail has responded, it may have to figure out how to keep up.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 23, 2015

Analysts: Primark is a 'new threat' to some US retailers

Any big impact likely won’t be felt by competitors until Primark launches many more stores in the U.S.—but that could happen.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 23, 2015

Amazon offering $67 Prime memberships to celebrate Emmy nods

The deal, only available Friday, shows that Amazon will continue to be creative about boosting its Prime membership.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 23, 2015

Ulta launches national ad campaign in face of rising competition

The beauty retailer wants to reintroduce U.S. consumers to its brand as rival Sephora continues to grow. 

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 23, 2015

Nordstrom expanding Treasure&Bond give-back brand

The effort stumbled with its first effort, but taking the brand online appears to have worked.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 23, 2015

WalmartLabs acquires loyalty startup PunchTab

The company will focus first on optimizing Sam's Club offers and customer relationships. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Sept. 23, 2015

Money20/20 entrepreneurs to launch new retail conference

Anil Aggarwal and Jonathan Weiner, with former PayPal retail chief Don Kingsborough, believe great things will come from the May gathering.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 22, 2015

Macy's joins other retailers in holding holiday hiring steady

The retailer will hire slightly fewer workers overall, but more of them will support e-commerce sales.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 22, 2015

Jos. A. Bank to end aggressive promotions, revamp clothes

The century-old brand is finally getting a makeover.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 22, 2015