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After reaching a buyout deal, Nordstrom will go private

Dec 24, 2024
The Nordstrom family will have a majority ownership stake.
The Nordstrom family will have a majority ownership stake in the ownership of the company.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Walmart leans into fashion

Sep 11, 2024
It's targeting Target.
“You have to be somewhat cynical about [Walmart's] ability to sustain the ride necessary to create fashion assortments that customers will find appealing," said retail consultant Mark Cohen.
J.D. Pooley/Getty Images

Businesses are breathing new life into unused warehouse space

Mar 8, 2024
Many businesses bulked up on warehouse space early in the pandemic. Now, storing extra inventory isn’t as important, and surplus warehouse space is being put to alternative uses.
Retailers — especially smaller retailers — aren't using their warehouses as much as they were a year ago, said Zac Rogers, who helps put together the Logistics Managers Index.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Food Bank For New York City

The art of the private label brand

Mar 5, 2024
And why Target considers them key to keeping customers spending.
Private label sales reached an all-time high in 2023. Target has over 45 of its own private label brands.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Retailers are stuck in a cycle of constant sales

Jan 17, 2024
Once consumers adjust to a 24/7 promotion environment, it hard for companies to stop.
Online shopping has given consumers the ability to compare prices in real time, giving retailers more incentive to offer deals.
Kena Betancur/Getty Images

Bloated inventories are dragging down some sectors of the economy

Jan 11, 2024
Clothing companies and bike stores are some businesses that still have excess inventory — and that has ripple effects through the economy.
The bike industry has been oversupplied for more than a year, says Jeff Cayley, CEO of Worldwide Cyclery, and many stores are offering deep discounts.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Why retailers messed up their inventories so badly

Aug 18, 2022
Target, Walmart and others have struggled to keep up with changes in consumer buying and have had to predict demand further in advance.
Target and other retailers have been marking down prices in hopes of moving their glut of merchandise.
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

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How teen mall hot spot Claire’s went from bankruptcy to IPO filing

Aug 5, 2022
The chain has benefited from '90s fashion trends, a good supply chain and looking outside of malls, says Elizabeth Segran of Fast Company.
Claire's has a team of "trend spotters" who travel the world looking for the next popular thing, says Elizabeth Segran of Fast Company. 
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Spending is up, but consumer confidence isn't

Jul 15, 2022
Retail sales rose in June, yet inflation is still a factor in how and where people are willing to spend.
While electronic and appliance sales saw the biggest drop in the last year, spending at bars and restaurants remain strong.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Return fees are happening because retailers are hurting

Jun 9, 2022
Americans sent back $760 billion worth of stuff last year. Now higher shipping costs and rising returns are hurting companies' bottom lines.
Zara is now charging customers in the U.K. when they return online purchases via mail. With rising shipping costs, other retailers may follow suit.
Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images