5 years after pandemic lockdowns, is retail back to normal?

Stores are open, inventory is flowing and inflation is down. But today’s uncertainty and destabilization are making consumers anxious.

Men’s Wearhouse adds gift list registry service

Customers can create and manage custom gift lists featuring items from the retailer, which is part of the Tailored Brands portfolio.

Consumers are buying more from generative AI’s suggestions: Adobe

A report highlighted that using generative AI tools for shopping leads customers to more purchases in electronics and jewelry.

Dollar Tree sells Family Dollar for $1B

A sale to private equity comes 10 years after Dollar Tree acquired its rival for $8.5 billion, a decade when the business has mostly dragged down results.

Foot Locker names Franklin Bracken president

Bracken, who joined the retailer 15 years ago and was tapped as chief commercial officer in 2022, will help accelerate its Lace Up growth plan.

Williams-Sonoma turns to AI to curb headcount growth

Executives said the company is pursuing ways to drive additional savings with the technology during a recent earnings call. 

J.C. Penney embraces social-first marketing with VaynerMedia hire

The department store chain will take advantage of services like a social influencer seeding offering intended to boost relevance.

Consumer expectations for future plunge to 12-year low on tariff anxiety

Pessimism about price pressures rose, with expectations for inflation in 12 months increasing to 6.2% this month from 5.8% in February, the Conference Board said.

Bloomingdale’s merchant jumps to Macy’s to lead children’s, men’s

Daniel Leppo, whose career launched 30-plus years ago at the luxury department store, brings merchandising strength in need at Macy’s.

Vitamin Shoppe debuts ‘Hometown’ store concept

The shop-in-shops, which are in markets like Los Angeles and Houston, feature brands with local connections.

BuyBuy Baby to relaunch online in May

The announcement comes nearly two months after Beyond acquired the baby retailer, reuniting it with its former owner Bed Bath & Beyond.

Amazon building robotics fulfillment center in North Carolina

The facility will contain more than 3 million square feet of floor space and support the company’s efforts to cut costs and improve production.

The Weekly Closeout: Vera Bradley sells Pura Vida and Edible Brands enters the hemp industry

Vera Bradley will offload the bracelet brand two years after taking full ownership, and the Edible Arrangements company expands its horizons.

Revlon appoints chief information and digital officer

The beauty company emerged from bankruptcy two years ago and is prioritizing innovation to lead growth.

Coty sells stake in Kim Kardashian beauty brand Skkn to Skims

Skims will unite its beauty and lifestyle ventures under one brand in a “pivotal” expansion for the shapewear brand. 

Resale’s popularity in the US could offer hedge against tariffs

ThredUp’s chief strategy officer says preowned clothing sales are “effectively domesticating the supply chain.”

Universal Standard lands in Nordstrom

After launching on the department store’s website earlier in the year, the women’s apparel brand entered 20 Nordstrom stores over the weekend.

Gen Alpha tweens hold significant sway over parents’ purchases: study

Gen Alpha is emerging as a luxury-focused generation, with 68% owning a luxury product by the age of 10.

E-commerce is here to stay after a push from the pandemic

Retailers quickly enhanced their e-commerce and mobile offerings as the pandemic took hold. It worked, shifting consumer expectations along the way.

Is Walmart the next major c-store competitor?

The big-box retailer will open or remodel at least 45 fueling centers this year amid plans to reach 450 sites across its network.

Lowe’s promotes new private label during spring sales event

The home improvement retailer announced the return of its annual Springfest event, which features its new owned brand Lowe’s Essentials.

Inside Puma’s new brand positioning and largest global campaign to date

The sportswear company will increase marketing investments by 40% in support of “Go Wild,” a campaign that reworks Afroman’s “Because I Got High.”

Digital payments to exceed $33.5 trillion by 2030

Consumers are predicted to rely less on debit and credit cards and turn more to mobile wallets in the coming years, a Worldpay report predicts.

Designer Brands to open more DSW stores, refresh rewards program

Over the holiday quarter, sales fell and losses widened, but comps rose for the first time in over two years.

What 25 retail leaders are saying about tariffs

From price increase warnings to confidence that vendor relationships will help ride out the storm, here's how the retail C-suite plans to weather tariffs.