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Apple is in the process of redesigning its stores, drawing on the expertise of Jony Ive, the company's head designer. Ive revealed he's working with retail boss Angela Ahrendts on a revamp of its stores in a lengthy profile with the New Yorker magazine. 

Amazon.com says it's still committed to delivering products by drone despite new federal rules that it considers an obstacle to commercial use of unmanned aircraft. Paul Misener, Amazon's vice president for global policy, said the FAA's proposed new rules "wouldn't allow Prime Air to operate in the United States.'' Prime Air is the name of Amazon's developmental program for drone delivery. Misner called for rules that would address Amazon's plan for using drones to deliver packages.

Gap's namesake chain just introduced its "resolution denim," which it plugs as its best stretch line, but they're already 30 percent off full price (provided you try them on first). At Abercrombie & Fitch Co., a new denim ankle legging is half off. While consumers have long known to wait for the sale, it's becoming increasingly difficult for specialty retailers to get consumers to pay full price for anything, says Credit Suisse analyst Christian Buss, who has tracked promotions the past 18 months.

Wal-Mart has sued the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission over the law prohibiting publicly traded companies from selling liquor in the state. The company, which includes Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores, is the biggest beer and wine retailer in Texas, and it wants to sell spirits, too. Texas law prohibits publicly traded companies from holding a package store permit. In the complaint filed in federal court in Austin last week, Wal-Mart said it's also challenging a loophole that "irrationally prohibits" retailers from holding more than five package store permits.

As Pinterest's monetization plans materialize, the social network is pulling the plug on affiliate networks. Pinterest warned select "power pinners" that it will now "automatically remove all affiliate links, redirects and trackers on Pins." According to an email forwarded to VentureBeat, Pinterest began removing these links last Thursday, and specifically targeted links from popular affiliate networks RewardStyle and Hello Society. This isn't the first time Pinterest has banned affiliate networks, but the company has never issued a total ban.

Madewell sells youthful products developed by its creator Mickey Drexler. Recently Pete Nordstrom, the merchandising head of his company, inked a pact to sell Madewell styles in Nordstrom stores starting on March 2. While the products are priced somewhat below Nordstrom's typical prices, the products resonate with the youthful Nordstrom customer, and that's key to Nordstrom's rationale to carry some of the assortment in its stores. Madewell is a division of J. Crew Group Inc. Its Chairman and CEO, Mickey Drexler, is a brilliant merchant — one the most innovative in retailing. 

From Net-a-Porter's quarterly print magazine Porter to Shopbop's digital editorials that star the likes of Nicole Richie and Rachel Zoe, shoppable publications have become another way for retailers to tell their stories, give customers a look behind the scenes and give their buys a bit more context. Barneys New York has gradually been amping up the original content on its own online editorial site, The Window, and for spring 2015, the world-famous store has announced that it's launching a print edition inspired by the popular web destination of the same name.

Pinterest soon will be more than a site for inspiration, with users able to buy certain items through a "buy button," according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The online-scrapbooking company is working on an e-commerce button that advertisers could use to drive purchases of their products from the site, according to the person, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. Technology blog Re/Code earlier reported on the buy button. Advertisers have long pressured Pinterest to introduce the feature. 

Target Corp., which operates 19 stores in San Diego County, will pay nearly $4 million to settle a consumer protection complaint accusing the company of overcharging customers, it was announced Wednesday. The complaint accused the retail chain of charging higher prices at their cash-register scanners that were posted in the aisles and misrepresenting the weight of its own packaged food items. The complaint was filed by the San Diego City Attorney's Office in conjunction with the District Attorney offices in Contra Costa, Sonoma, Marin, Santa Cruz and Fresno counties.

Costco shoppers who have been limited for years to American Express credit cards may be able to pluck a new option from their wallets or purses next year after an exclusivity deal between the companies expires. American Express said Thursday that it hasn't been able to come to an agreement with Costco on renewal terms. The current agreement covers U.S. stores and dates back 16 years. It will end March 31, 2016.