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

After the holidays, retailers hope to keep the party going

Dec 27, 2023
Even though holiday shopping numbers were solid, retailers might see a slower start to 2024 when consumers' credit card bills come due.
While retailers may encourage January shopping, the push could turn off consumers  after an earlier-than-usual start to the holiday selling season.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Faced with an onslaught of returns, retailers are telling shoppers: "Just keep it."

Dec 1, 2023
“Returnless refunds” or “keep it" return policies have now been adopted by more than half of major retailers, according to a new survey.
One reason retailers have adopted "keep it" return policies is that shipping and re-shelving can cost a lot.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

The long-expected consumer pullback may finally be materializing

Nov 29, 2023
We spent more over the holiday, but we bought less — thanks to inflation.
While consumers spent a couple percent more this Black Friday weekend than last, they didn’t necessarily buy more.
Yuki Iwamura/AFP via Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Retailers wielding holiday discounts as competitive weapon

Nov 27, 2023
Instead of marking down items to clear inventory, retailers are using discounts to draw customers away from competitors.
Sales from post-Thanksgiving promotions could influence what the rest of the holiday shopping season looks like.
Yuki Iwamura/AFP via Getty Images

Will retailers risk rolling back the generous return policies shoppers love?

Nov 24, 2023
Free online returns and 60-day windows are popular but cost companies money. Some e-commerce players are experimenting with changes.
Some companies are trying to prevent costly returns by providing detailed product information and experimenting with virtual try-ons.
Emily Elconin/Getty Images

In retail, it's all about "omnichannel" selling

Nov 23, 2023
It’s not in-store versus online — it’s in-store and online, and something in between.
"[Walmart's] in-store experience is really consistent. They have a lot of doors throughout the U.S. But they're also putting a lot of efforts into online Black Friday deals," said Brittany Steiger at Mintel.
Mario Tama/Getty Images