Management

Increased consumer interest in outdoor lifestyles during the pandemic contributed to double-digit revenue growth for L.L.Bean in its 2021 fiscal year, according to company press release published on March 18. Sales for the outdoor retailer totaled $1.8 billion, a 14 percent increase over 2020, and making it one of L.L.Bean’s most successful years in company history. In…

Howard Schultz, the former longtime CEO of Starbucks, is returning to lead the coffee company on an interim basis. Starbucks announced Wednesday that Kevin Johnson will retire in April after five years as president and CEO, and 13 years total at Starbucks. Johnson succeeded Schultz in 2017. The coffee giant said its board of directors has…

Macy’s, Inc. on Monday announced it has hired Emily Erusha-Hilleque, a private label veteran from Target, as senior vice president for Macy’s private brands. In this role, Erusha-Hilleque will lead the company's private brands design organization, including apparel and home design teams, as well as drive the private brands strategy in partnership with Macy’s merchandising…

The stars aligned for eTail West, the pre-pandemic fan favorite retail conference that held its annual event in-person on February 28-March 2, 2022, in sunny Palm Springs, CA. With COVID-19 cases down and mandates lifted, the event was the closest thing to a “normal” conference many of us have experienced in what feels like forever.…

Walmart and Amazon.com both said last week that it will not will no longer require vaccinated employees to wear masks while working in their facilities. In an internal memo to employees, Amazon said vaccinated employees in the U.S. have the option to work without masks beginning Feb. 11 where permitted by local regulations, Reuters reported last week. Amazon…

Peloton Interactive will replace its chief executive and cut about 2,800 jobs, the company announced earlier this week, as the exercise bike maker looks to revitalize sagging sales and win back investor confidence. John Foley, Peloton's co-founder who has led the company for nearly a decade, will step down to become the executive chair. Barry…

Walmart is expanding into home services, reports TechCrunch. The retailer announced a new partnership with Angi (previously Angie’s List), which will make service professionals available to Walmart customers in nearly 4,000 stores across all 50 states. When Walmart customers shop in-store or online, they’ll be able to also book an Angi professional for any of…

The Home Depot announced last week that Edward (Ted) Decker will become chief executive on March 1, succeeding Craig Menear. Decker joined the home improvement retailer in 2000 and was named president and COO in October 2020, where he was responsible for global store operations, global supply chain, outside sales and service, real estate, as well…

Unilever is cutting 1,500 management jobs around the world as the consumer goods giant comes under intense pressure from shareholders to boost growth, reports CNN. The cuts amount to a 15 percent reduction in the number of senior managers and 5 percent of junior managers, Unilever said in a statement on Tuesday. Unilever, which owns household-name…

In this episode of Retail Right Now, Total Retail's Joe Keenan and Kristina Stidham discuss three key themes that emerged during this week's National Retail Federation (NRF) Big Show event in New York City. First, retailers are excited to explore opportunities in the metaverse. Second, they're focusing on defining and then acting upon core social values…