The Backroom: Family Video, GameStop and the precarious lives of media stores

The team breaks down what went wrong for the last video chain as well as the fates of other retailers of cultural products.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 28, 2021

VF's supreme brand right now is The North Face

The apparel company spent $2.1 billion to beef up its portfolio with the viral streetwear label Supreme, but "gorpwear" is where it's at. Just ask Gucci.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 28, 2021

Starbucks exec Rosalind Brewer to take over as Walgreens CEO

She replaces Stefano Pessina, who will shift to become executive chairman of the board after leading the drugstore retailer for six years.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 27, 2021

Express is 'hemorrhaging cash' even as investors gobble up its stock: report

The struggling fashion brand won a financial lifeline in the form of a loan from private equity firm Sycamore Partners. But its sector's travails continue. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 27, 2021

Amazon to grow its Boston tech hub, add 3K jobs

The e-commerce giant is expanding its presence in the city, building on plans for growth at several other of its tech hubs as well.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 27, 2021

Franchise Group acquires Pet Supplies Plus for $700M

The deal, which is expected to close by March, comes as the pet retail industry is performing particularly well.

By Caroline Jansen • Jan. 27, 2021

Small format ‘Bloomies’ to open this fall

The 22,000-square-foot store is being built in the Mosaic District in Virginia and marks yet another blow to the traditional mall from parent Macy's.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 27, 2021

Beauty retailer L'Occitane files Chapter 11

The brand's U.S. unit looks to use bankruptcy to shed stores as the pandemic weighs on brick-and-mortar sales and accelerates a shift to digital. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 26, 2021

Court OKs Christopher & Banks' Ch. 11 sale of e-commerce unit

The bankrupt apparel seller is unloading its online business to an affiliate of Hilco after moving to close its stores.

By Ben Unglesbee • Updated March 1, 2021

Walmart positions itself as key COVID-19 vaccine provider for rural America

The retailer said it will be able to deliver as many as 13 million doses per month when supplies allow.

By Sam Silverstein • Jan. 26, 2021

Belk to file for bankruptcy after 130 years

Private equity firm Sycamore Partners will retain its majority stake as part of a restructuring deal expected to be complete by the end of February.

By Daphne Howland • Updated Jan. 27, 2021

Cole Haan walks back IPO plans

The footwear brand faces an uncertain future as consumers shun traditional work and formal styles in favor of casual fashion.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 25, 2021

Ipsy launches personal care brand Refreshments

The brand includes products like body cream and razor kits at a time when the makeup category has suffered due to a shift in consumer focus.

By Caroline Jansen • Jan. 25, 2021

42% of retailers expect to restructure as industry revenue declines persist, BDO says

While struggles and distress abound, many companies are investing in e-commerce and other channels as the pandemic reshapes retail. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 25, 2021

Away CEO exits barely a year in

Stuart Haselden, who arrived at the brand from Lululemon in January last year, is leaving just four months after he became sole CEO.

By Cara Salpini • Jan. 25, 2021

After the extremes of 2020, retail resilience means a new sense of what's possible

A pandemic exposed the industry's vulnerabilities and latent survival skills. To weather the next disaster, companies must be agile and take risk seriously.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 25, 2021

Athleta extends sizing across its collection

Gap Inc. is leaning on its activewear brand and its discount Old Navy banner for growth as its namesake continues to falter. 

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 22, 2021

In quest for profit, American Eagle plans as many as 225 store closures

The teen apparel brand will shutter 52 locations this year as its Aerie lingerie label opens just as many.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 22, 2021

Talbots downgraded by S&P as pandemic weighs on sales, cash flow

With an older core customer, the private equity-owned apparel seller has been disproportionately affected by COVID-19's spread, analysts said.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 22, 2021

Apparel resale app Curtsy raises $11M in Series A funding

The platform aims to attract casual sellers by streamlining processes, including price recommendations, image improvements and product detail autofilling. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 22, 2021

MyTheresa IPO brings in $407M

After years of bitterly fighting over it, the growing online luxury retailer previously owned by Neiman Marcus is trying to start a new chapter.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 21, 2021

Retailers welcome swift action from Biden White House to combat COVID-19

Store workers have been left to enforce mask-wearing and social distancing, and deal with sometimes combative customers.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 21, 2021

Fashion apparel makes a comeback, focus on digital deepens, and other 2021 predictions

The pandemic, and recovery from it, will likely define the year as consumers look to refresh their wardrobes and retailers hold on to new practices that worked, analysts say.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 20, 2021

With fresh funding in hand, Outer sets sights beyond outdoor furniture, rugs

The DTC brand snapped up $10.5 million to help it grow its assortment, build on its sustainability efforts and expand on its unique showroom model.

By Caroline Jansen • Jan. 20, 2021

The middle class is stressed and the pandemic isn't helping

Consumer spending is inhibited by not only a stubborn wealth gap, but also the precarious finances of those who are doing okay.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 20, 2021