Retail Stores

To get back to their pre-recession productivity peak, the nation’s top department stores would have to close hundreds of locations, according to a leading real estate analysis firm. Chains such as Sears, J.C. Penney and Macy’s have been hit by a double whammy: the loss of market share to Amazon and specialty stores, coupled with chronic…

Eddie Lampert is not just axing unprofitable stores these days. The hedge fund mogul, who controls Sears Holdings, is shutting the department store’s 154-employee New York apparel design office. The office is slated to close in July, a Department of Labor filing revealed. Sears will move roughly 40 positions to an existing site in San Francisco — the…

Trying to cut its way to profitability, troubled Sears Holdings announced Thursday that it will close 68 Kmart and 10 Sears stores this summer in its latest move to cut losses. Sears' move comes atop a previous announcement that it will close 50 other stores. Sales have been falling and Sears had a disappointing holiday sales season.

It's been a year since Target's collaboration with Lilly Pulitzer broke the internet and immediately sold out in stores. Yesterday, the retailer's line with Finnish design house Marimekko hit stores, and early signs show the collection of graphic beach accessories and dinnerware won't cause as much pandemonium.

Last week, Victoria’s Secret announced an adjustment to its marketing approach, in which its iconic catalog will be “de-emphasized,” and 200 people were laid off as the company reorganizes to focus on lingerie, cosmetics, and the Pink brand. You could look at it as a minor course correction. Catalog, in the traditional sense of the…

Enter any SoulCycle or Pure Barre class and you’re bound to see someone wearing lululemon athletica. When thinking of lululemon, you envision activewear like stylish yoga pants and patterned sports bras. The company, also referred to as lulu by its customers, has more than 300 stores selling the technical athletic apparel. However, lululemon revealed a…

When retailers talk about meeting the needs of today's consumers, speed is frequently cited as a differentiating factor. From speed to market with new inventory to quick checkout to expedited delivery, it seems all retailers want to do everything fast. That's why it's a little surprising to hear John Hazen, senior vice president, direct to…

You used to go Staples for office supplies. Now you can just call it your office. On Monday, the megastore that's long specialized in paper and printer ink is set to announce a partnership with Workbar Inc., the Boston shared-workspace company. The relationship will establish co-working spaces inside three Staples stores, in Norwood, Brighton, and Danvers,…

Every retailer hopes to earn not just wallet share, but also the loyalty of its customers. A delighted and loyal customer will keep coming back, spend more money while there, and go one step further by recommending their favorite retailer to friends and family. Recently, Market Force Information announced the results of its annual fashion…

Kohl's Corp.'s new Off/Aisle store has a polished concrete floor, sleek lighting fixtures and a way of pricing merchandise that's very different from the Menomonee Falls, Wis.-based retailer's traditional department stores. No coupons or special discounts here. At Off/Aisle, everything has a "spot" price. Items with an orange circle on the tag are $4; items with…