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Online stores get physical

Feb 16, 2018
Warby Parker plans to have nearly 100 brick-and-mortar stores by the end of the year.

When grocery stores close, this legal phrase can prevent new ones from opening

Jan 12, 2018
When grocery stores close, critics say restrictive covenants — clauses in grocery store leases that says a landlord can't rent the space to another grocer — can lead to food deserts.
Restrictive covenants are clauses in a grocery store's lease that says a landlord can't rent the space to another grocer.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

How new direct selling companies like LuLaRoe are benefiting from social media

Jan 8, 2018
Facebook groups and Facebook live videos are the new Tupperware parties when it comes to LuLaRoe, which is growing fast despite some criticism and lawsuits.
Brenda Reider shows off her favorite LuLaRoe products. 
Jana Kasperkevic for Marketplace

Hassle-free returns will apply to all sellers on Amazon’s site from October

Aug 4, 2017
Amazon announced this week that it’s going to apply its hassle-free returns policy to all items purchased on the website from October. That’s good news for consumers, but it’s a new burden for some third-party Amazon sellers, who, until now, could have policies of their own.  Click the audio player above to hear the full […]

You could be paying more sales tax online if states get their way

May 16, 2017
Amazon has agreed to collect sales tax on all its transactions. Now states are targeting all other online retailers.
A parcel is prepared for dispatch at an Amazon warehouse. 
Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

Expect retail company struggles to show up in this week’s earnings

May 11, 2017
Retailers galore report their earnings this week amid a string of massive brick-and-mortar store closures, with more shuttered doors expected. What can Kohl’s, J.C. Penney, Nordstrom and others do to hang on? Adapt faster to offer some online shopping perks and tools, or learn the predictive strategies that online retailers have down pat. Click the […]

Wal-Mart battles Amazon with discounts for online ordering and store pickup

Apr 14, 2017
Mega-retailer Wal-Mart is rolling out discounts for shoppers who order items online and then agree to pick them up at the store. The move is the latest play by Wal-Mart in its battle with Amazon in the e-commerce sector. But is a discount a substitute for the convenience of having stuff delivered right to your […]

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The resale market for sneakers is red hot

Jan 10, 2017
Some savers invest their hard-earned dollars in footwear.
Sneakers on display at Sneaker Pawn, The Bank for Sneakers in New York.
Sally Herships/Marketplace

Wal-Mart tries to compete in changing retail world

Aug 17, 2016
The giant retailer already bolstered workers' wages. Now, it must boost online sales.

Some retail entrepreneurs push brands in-store and online

May 16, 2016
As major U.S. retail chains struggle to maintain sales and profits, some new retailers are thriving.
Bull in China, a new retail site based in Portland, Oregon, designs and sells locally made hand-crafted bar tools online.
Image via Bull in China