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October, that magical time of year when holiday shopping begins

Oct 12, 2023
Companies like Target, Walmart and Kohl’s held sales this week aimed at holiday shoppers, and Amazon just wrapped up its second Prime Day event of the year.
While stores might not have holiday decorations up yet, multiple retailers have sales running aimed at enticing (early) holiday shoppers.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Commercial warehouse use expands at fast pace

Oct 3, 2023
Transportation and warehousing data shows second month of growth. Firms try to fine-tune planning in wake of supply chain snarls.
In recent years, erratic supply chain conditions have frustrated companies trying to plan how much inventory to store in warehouses.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Amazon desperately seeks seasonal workers while other retailers hold back

Sep 20, 2023
That could mean that holiday hiring will be slower this season, says Andy Challenger of Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
Retailers are still figuring out how to staff warehouses and stores as consumers switch between shopping in person and online and using curbside pickup, says analyst Jessica Ramírez.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Is retail theft really rising?

Sep 11, 2023
Retailers want stiffer sentences for what they say is rising theft. But the data isn't clear, says Nicole Lewis of The Marshall Project.
Retailers are locking up some items on shelves to prevent theft.
Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

Retail inventories have dropped. But discounts might stick around.

Aug 16, 2023
Over the last year, many retailers have been successfully using discounts to purge their excess inventories. Now, retailers might use discounts to lure skittish consumers.
Target announced its inventories were down 17% from last year.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Retailers brace for more supply-chain woes as Teamsters threaten a strike against UPS

Jul 24, 2023
The last strike occurred more than 25 years ago — before the delivery business exploded. The current contract expires next week.
UPS workers at a recent Teamsters rally in Los Angeles. Without a labor contract, workers could go on strike as soon as next week.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

Why retailers almost never come back from bankruptcy

Jun 7, 2023
Bed Bath & Beyond reportedly wants to sell its baby product chain, Buybuy Baby. Typically the most a bankrupt retailer can hope for is a sale.
Bed Bath & Beyond is reportedly in talks to sell its baby products chain, Buybuy Baby. But that won't save BB&B from bankruptcy.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

More retailers turn to discounts to lure shoppers

May 17, 2023
Target, for example, warned investors of price promotions in the pipeline.
Retailers have increasingly been using discounts and promotions to encourage shoppers to keep spending.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

What will the end of the pause on student loan payments mean for retailers?

Apr 21, 2023
Discretionary spending may decline as people add those payments back into their budgets.
When payment obligations resume as expected this year, discretionary spending could dip and affect big-box retailers and local bistros alike.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Layoffs signal retailers are adjusting to more sharp turns

Apr 17, 2023
Retailers like Walmart and Best Buy are cutting staff as consumers pull back on discretionary spending.
Retail sales had a weak showing in March, and stores like Best Buy and Walmart are laying off workers.
Ken Betancur/Getty Images