Store-branded cards are a life raft for sinking retail

May 12, 2017
Department stores, those vestiges of the past, just can’t catch a break these days. Yesterday, shares of both Macy’s and Kohl’s plummeted as investors grow more pessimistic about brick-and-mortar retail in an e-commerce world. There is one silver lining: Business from store-branded credit cards is up, but it likely won’t be enough to reverse the […]

Outlet malls experiment with food and full-price stores to maintain growth

May 12, 2017
Outlets became part of our shopping lives during the recession. Now they're taking on the trappings of full-price malls.
The latest survey on consumer sentiment from the University of Michigan follows news of high inflation earlier in the week.
Kevork Djansezian/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 […]

On Fifth Avenue, vacancy rates spike along with rents

May 4, 2017
Stores on the world's most expensive retail strip are fleeing high rents.
A retail space is available for rent on Fifth Avenue in New York, where rents and vacancies have spiked.
EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images

Plus-size women lose fast fashion option with Lovesick closure

May 3, 2017
Originally launched by Torrid, the brand targeted young plus-size women and teens.
The West Covina location for Torrid’s sister store, Lovesick, with closing signs in the window.
Chris Greenspon
Ivanka Trump's fashion line was pulled from some stores after the election amid a boycott of Trump-branded products. Above, her shoes are on clearance at the Century 21 department store in New York City.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images

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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 […]

Outlet malls thrive as shoppers search for bargains and experiences

Apr 12, 2017
In the past five years, sales at the shopping centers have doubled to about $50 billion.
In the last five years, sales at outlet malls have doubled to about $50 billion, according to Green Street Advisors. Above, Camarillo Premium Outlets.
Photo courtesy of premiumoutlets.com

How augmented reality can improve shopping

Mar 27, 2017
In virtual reality, you'll be able to try on 30 outfits in a few minutes, Bold Metrics says.
Photo courtesy of Bold Metrics Inc.