Retail Stores

Holiday retail sales rose a stronger-than-expected 8.3 percent from 2019, or $789.4 billion, according to data released by the National Retail Federation on Friday. Consumers apparently embraced the gift-giving season as a way to cheer themselves up during the pandemic. The numbers include online and other non-stores sales, which were up 23.9 percent at $209 billion. The NRF had forecast that sales during…

COVID-19 has all companies scrambling to make sense of what the future will look like for their businesses. For retailers, brick-and-mortar real estate is perhaps the most integral part, leaving many to question the best path forward should the country face an even more prolonged lockdown. Do you shutter certain stores? What's the right balance between…

In episode 278 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Shane Pittson, vice president of growth and marketing at quip, the modern oral health company. Listen in as Pittson discusses the growth of the startup brand, his professional background and role at quip, and when and why the company expanded into wholesale and brick-and-mortar retail.…

Walgreens expects to get its first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 21, and will start giving shots to nursing home residents and workers at nearly 35,000 long-term care facilities nationwide in the days leading up to Christmas. To administer the vaccine, Walgreens plans to hire 25,000 people across the U.S., including 9,000 pharmacists and other healthcare workers.…

Brick-and-mortar retailers have been especially challenged throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to provide safe and frictionless in-store experiences for shoppers. In this video, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews John Goss, senior vice president and president of Sally Beauty Supply, to find out what the retailer has done to create a safe, enjoyable in-store shopping experience for its customers…

In episode 276 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Sean Kell, CEO of Blue Nile, the largest e-commerce retailer of GIA-certified diamonds and fine jewelry. Listen in as Kell discusses his career journey leading up to his joining Blue Nile last year, the company's recently announced store expansion plan, and why now is…

Women’s boutique chain francesca's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last week, with plans to sell the business, including its brick-and-mortar stores. In a statement announcing the bankruptcy filing, francesa's said it was obtaining $25 million in financing from its existing lender, Tiger Finance, to facilitate the retail stores sales process, subject to court approval.…

Earlier this week, Kohl’s and Sephora announced a long-term strategic partnership. This collaboration is to create a new era of elevated Beauty at Kohl's, which will connect Kohl's expansive customer reach and omnichannel convenience with Sephora's quality service, product selection and exceptional beauty experience. According to a Kohl's press release, the partnership will be called "Sephora…

The National Retail Federation (NRF) yesterday forecasted that holiday sales during November and December will increase between 3.6 percent and 5.2 percent over 2019 to between $755.3 billion and $766.7 billion. The numbers, which exclude automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants, compare with a 4 percent increase to $729.1 billion last year and an average holiday…

Launching new in-demand products across a national retail chain during a global pandemic isn't an easy task. In this video, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan talks with Lane Mansell, vice president and general manager, Rocky Mountain region at AT&T Mobility, about how the company's retail arm is bracing for one of its largest product releases, the launch of the…