Department stores find new ways to lure back beauty customers

It would be unwise for department stores to cede this territory to their drugstore and specialty retail competition. 

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 1, 2015

Forever 21 looks to downsize

Signs of life from other teen retailers aren't helping the retailer, which seems to have overextended itself in recent years. 

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 1, 2015

Higher wages lead to spending bump in July

July’s consumer spending growth is a good indication that the U.S. economy was largely sheltered from the economic woes seen globally. 

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 31, 2015

Myanmar sets daily wage minimum to boost apparel manufacturing

The $2.80 per day minimum was finally set after two years of intense negotiations among labor groups, factory owners, and the government.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 31, 2015

Wal-Mart launches holiday layaway two weeks early

The early launch is tied to the release of new Star Wars toys and collectibles, which are expected to take center stage during this year's holiday season. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Aug. 28, 2015

Bonobos co-founder Andy Dunn to return as CEO

The menswear company's current CEO, ex-Coach exec Francine Della Badia, will be stepping down after less than three months at the job. 

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 28, 2015

Labor Board expands employer responsibility for temp, franchise workers

In many ways, the ruling is an adjustment to today’s employment reality, but it is likely to be challenged in court by businesses.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 28, 2015

J. Crew still suffering from falling sales in Q2

But its lower-priced Madewell brand, with price points and styles that are pleasing shoppers, helped mitigate the results.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 28, 2015

WSJ: Amazon scaling back Fire phone, other devices' development

It’s unlikely that Amazon will abandon its hardware-development unit entirely, as the “Internet of Things” and devices for the “connected home” are starting to appeal to the mainstream consumer. 

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 28, 2015

Target ramps up Star Wars fever with new nostalgic site

ShareTheForce.com will collect Star Wars memories from fans ahead of the highly-anticipated movie's holiday release. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Aug. 27, 2015

Wal-Mart to stop selling semi-automatic rifles due to poor sales

A Wal-Mart spokesperson made clear that "the decision was completely based on what customers are buying and what they want."

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 27, 2015

Gap the latest to phase out controversial on-call scheduling

The super-efficient method of scheduling can make life difficult for workers, and the practice has garnered scrutiny from lawmakers and law enforcement agencies.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 27, 2015

Abercrombie & Fitch joins other teen retailers with turnaround results

The retailer says its success may come from “happier store employees” who now have more opportunity to bring in inventory based on what their customers are buying.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 27, 2015

The rise of copyright infringement lawsuits—and what retailers can do about it

A new report from Lex Machina found that retailers are now one of the top groups of defendants in copyright infringement cases surrounding textile patterns.

By Ian P. Murphy • Aug. 26, 2015

Plus-size retailer Avenue Stores reportedly for sale

Plus-size retail is ripe and ready to grow. The area suffers from marketing and merchandising neglect, yet has many customers clamoring to buy. 

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 26, 2015

Could Macy's let go of its Herald Square flagship?

There are songs and movies about Macy’s in Herald Square, and its iconic Thanksgiving Day parade ends at the location. But it’s hard to know how much it’s worth.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 26, 2015

Best Buy betting on Apple Watch for the holidays

Research is showing that sales and interest for the Watch are ebbing, but Best Buy is clearing space in all stores in anticipation of holiday demand.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 26, 2015

Best Buy stock soars thanks to surprise sales increase

The electronics retailer posted a rebound last quarter, after CEO Hubert Joly delivered some of his turnaround promises. 

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 25, 2015

Top Amazon exec exits again, this time for Google

Jon McCormack spent a few weeks at Yahoo earlier this year, where his ideas to turn the company’s software unit around reportedly weren’t well received. But his return to Amazon didn't last long.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 25, 2015

Target to pay $2.8M in hiring discrimination settlement

The settlement is a reminder to retailers to keep an eye on third-party vendors.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 25, 2015

Belk to be sold to Sycamore for $3B

The private equity firm says the Southern department store isn’t going to change much, but department stores in general might need some sort of revamp.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 25, 2015

Retail stocks rebound after market plunges

In what the NRF's chief economist called an "overreaction to fears of global slowdown," the market saw some dramatic volatility yesterday before seeming to recover this morning. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • Aug. 24, 2015

Developer unveils $800M renovation plan for Los Angeles mall

Australian shopping mall titan Westfield Corp. hopes more restaurants and open-air spaces will help the luxury shopping center compete with online retailers.

By Sharon O'Malley • Aug. 24, 2015

Gap's turnaround to focus on product before marketing

Gap Inc. spent $131 million on marketing in the second quarter, $11 million less than it did in the comparable quarter of 2014.

By Ian P. Murphy • Aug. 24, 2015

Madewell recalling more than 50,000 sandals

A product recall shouldn't be a major problem for most brands, but this is just bad timing for Madewell, which has emerged as a ray of hope for struggling J. Crew.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 24, 2015