Management

J. C. Penney announced  on Tuesday that it plans to close three stores by the spring as part of an ongoing evaluation of its performance. The retailer didn't report which stores it planned to close, but said it's currently assessing locations that "may not meet required financial targets or represent a market opportunity to capitalize…

Lowe's said last week that it plans to hire more than 65,000 associates this year to improve customer service and product availability. Roles are focused on enhancing customer service and include seasonal associate, merchandising support, store leadership and technology careers. According to a press release from the company, Lowe's hiring investments include: More than 50,000 seasonal…

Jeremy Parker is the founder of Swag.com, a custom promotional products e-commerce retailer. He spoke with Avenue Code about the importance of passionate entrepreneurship and of focusing on consumers’ core needs. Anna Vander Wall: Swag.com customizes an impressive breadth of promotional products for Facebook, Google, Amazon.com, WeWork, Microsoft, Harry’s, Starbucks, Netflix, and more. How did…

Blake W. Nordstrom, the 58-year-old co-president of Nordstrom, died early Wednesday morning, the retailer announced. Executive leadership of Nordstrom will continue under company co-presidents Pete and Erik Nordstrom. In December, in an SEC note, Blake announced that he had been diagnosed with lymphoma. He told employees, customers and shareholders that he planned to undergo chemotherapy and reduce…

Gymboree is shopping for a bankruptcy loan as it prepares for a second chapter 11 filing in less than two years. The bankruptcy filing, which could come as early January, would allow the struggling children’s apparel retailer to close most of its stores, the people said. However, the company is seeking a bankruptcy loan that…

At its height, Sears was the Amazon.com of its day. The 125-year-old retail giant amassed a catalog audience of more than 25 percent of the U.S. population — without using the internet or modern technology. It achieved the extraordinary feat of fulfilling more than 105,000 orders a day by changing the way business was done…

A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge on Friday approved Sears Holding Company's request to pay up to $25.3 million in bonuses to top executives, even as the company reported losing nearly $1.9 billion in the first three quarters this year, according to the Chicago Tribune. Sears, which filed for bankruptcy protection in October, said the funds will…

Procter & Gamble, the consumer packaged goods company known for such household staples as Tide and Old Spice, will acquire Walker & Company Brands, the company that makes health and beauty products for people of color launched by entrepreneur Tristan Walker five years ago. Walker & Company Brands will operate as a separate and wholly-owned…

So, what should retailers do to maximize holiday sales? It all starts by attacking those long lines and out-of-stock complaints.

Walgreens and FedEx last week announced the nationwide launch of a next-day prescription delivery service called Walgreens Express. The service, both companies said, brings together Walgreens’ extensive network of neighborhood pharmacy locations with the FedEx air-and-ground delivery network to enhance convenience for patients to fill prescriptions. Walgreens will charge $4.99 for the next-day delivery service, and orders…