Management

Best Buy Partners With Atrium Health to Support In-Home Hospital Care
March 7, 2023 at 8:01 pm

Best Buy announced Tuesday it has struck a three-year deal with Atrium Health, an integrated, nonprofit health system part of Advocate Health, to help enable a hospital-at-home program, reports CNBC. Atrium Health is part of Advocate Health, one of the country’s largest healthcare nonprofits. The consumer electronics retailer will sell devices and its Geek Squad will handle…

The Home Depot to Invest $1B to Raise Hourly Employee Wages
February 21, 2023 at 3:38 pm

The Home Depot on Tuesday said it will spend an additional $1 billion to give its hourly employees a raise, as retailers and restaurants compete for workers, reports CNBC. The home improvement retailer announced the wage investment as it reported fourth-quarter earnings. It didn't disclose the new average wage for employees, but said every market’s starting wage is…

In 2023, Brands Will Put a Bigger Focus on Ensuring They Don’t Get ‘Kanye’d’
February 16, 2023 at 10:48 am

Ever since Josiah Wedgwood first marketed high-end china in the 18th century by seeking the sheen of associating with royalty, brands have sought celebrity endorsements to elevate their products in the public’s eye. But along with the reward of celebrity association comes risk, a lesson once again delivered in 2022 when major consumer brands found…

Bed Bath & Beyond Lines Up Funding to Avoid Bankruptcy, Closing 150 More Stores
February 7, 2023 at 7:41 pm

Bed Bath & Beyond is expecting to receive more than $1 billion in equity from a stock offering it hopes will stave off bankruptcy and liquidation, reports CNBC. The beleaguered home goods retailer will receive $225 million in the offering upfront plus an additional $800 million in proceeds over time, it said. Bed Bath & Beyond also…

Kohl's Names Tom Kingsbury CEO
February 6, 2023 at 5:54 pm

Kohl’s last week announced interim CEO Tom Kingsbury assumed the role of CEO on Feb. 2. Kingsbury led the company since December following the departure of former CEO Michelle Gass, who left the company late last year to become president of Levi’s. Kingsbury will also continue to serve on Kohl's board. Kingsbury brings more than 40 years of retail industry experience…

REI Announces Corporate Layoffs
February 2, 2023 at 3:26 pm

Amid "increasing uncertainty" and an effort to "grow the co-op over the long term," REI Co-op laid off 167 employees this week. CEO Eric Artz noted that REI has made changes at its headquarters to refocus resources in an effort to reach its 2023 goals, including "getting back to profitability as quickly as possible." This…

Retail in 2023: Back to Basics
February 1, 2023 at 1:31 pm

Over the last several years we’ve seen a tremendous boon in direct-to-consumer (DTC) and e-commerce strategies for retail. Venture capital flooded into the category leaving incumbent retailers feeling pressured. 2022 started to see a reversal of some of these trends. The first half of the year saw consumers back in stores to the detriment of…

Vera Bradley Shakes Up Leadership, Fully Acquires Pura Vida for $10M
January 31, 2023 at 6:30 pm

Vera Bradley last week announced a new streamlined corporate structure and full acquisition of bracelet brand Pura Vida. As a part of the reorganization, the company has eliminated the positions of Vera Bradley Brand President Daren Hull, Chief Creative Officer Beatrice Mac Cabe, and Chief Revenue Officer Mary Beth Trypus. Pura Vida Co-Presidents Griffin Thall and…

Bed Bath & Beyond to Shutter All Harmon Stores
January 30, 2023 at 7:00 pm

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. said Friday it was closing an additional 87 of its flagship stores and its entire Harmon chain of drugstores, as the retailer struggles to find financial support to keep its operations funded. The news, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, also said the company is  closing five of its…

Foot Locker Cuts Corporate Staff, Closing Sidestep Banner
January 26, 2023 at 5:34 pm

Foot Locker is making cuts to its staff and store fleet as it looks to trim costs under new leadership. The footwear retailer on Thursday announced that it would eliminate an undisclosed number of “corporate and support roles,” which the company expects to account for about $18 million in cost savings on an annualized basis starting…