Off-price retailers emerge as rare winners in trade war

Any business that can capitalize on uncertainty is sure to fair well in the midst of a global trade war. Burlington, Ross and TJX are able to do just that.

By Emma Cosgrove • June 5, 2019

At Nordstrom, the next evolution of BOPIS emerges

Brick-and-mortar retailers have embraced omnichannel strategies, but they're still figuring out one of their biggest headaches — processing returns.

By Jen A. Miller • June 4, 2019

Carrefour boosts sales with blockchain initiative

The grocer's 2.7% sales growth shows a measurable benefit to the ability to track products through their supply chains. 

By Morgan Forde • June 4, 2019

Williams-Sonoma will halve China sourcing in the next year

The retailer made 2019 forecasts anticipating a jump from 10% to 25% on list three tariffs and "unfortunately, our pessimism turned out to be true," said CFO Julie Whalen on a recent earnings call. 

By Emma Cosgrove • June 4, 2019

Dollar stores prepare to pass on new tariffs to shoppers

On recent earnings calls, both retailers touted their teams' ability to mitigate list three tariffs, even after the increase from 10% to 25% on May 10. But list four is another story. 

By Emma Cosgrove • June 3, 2019

Dollar General to open 3 new warehouses for fresh program

CEO Todd Vasos said the benefits are already evident through better in-stock status and lower cost of goods. 

By Emma Cosgrove • May 31, 2019

Dick's CEO: Impact of new tariffs unknown despite tranche 4 exposure

Assuming the implementation of tranche four, Dick's total tariff exposure will go from 5% of inventory to 38%, according to a J.P. Morgan analysis.

By Emma Cosgrove • May 30, 2019

New tariffs could imperil Best Buy, Dick's and Bed Bath & Beyond

J.P. Morgan looks at which retailers would lose the most in a "disaster" scenario after the Trump Administration's latest trade salvos.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 29, 2019

Report: Amazon offers discounted warehouse space to fuel 1-day shipping

The news of Amazon incentivizing sellers to store more inventory signals changes in fulfillment to make 1-day delivery a reality. 

By Shefali Kapadia • May 28, 2019

Target cuts costs 40% through store fulfillment

As the retailer continues its store-centric fulfillment model, it will require strong inventory management practices to ensure the right balance of SKUs are available in stores to meet consumer demand.

By Shefali Kapadia • May 23, 2019

Kohl's prepares for diminishing gross margins amid tariff hike

CEO Michelle Gass described the situation as "fluid," encapsulating the near-universal struggle for retailers importing products from China — the lack of certainty in the trade landscape.

By Shefali Kapadia • May 22, 2019

Loop's 'waste-free' e-commerce platform launches with P&G, Kroger, Walgreens on board

Circular packaging requires a change in consumer behavior, but perhaps most significant is the operational shift required of Loop's corporate partners, in what executives described as a grand experiment.

By Emma Cosgrove • May 22, 2019

Home Depot: Faster delivery means more sales

The home improvement retailer can currently reach 90% of the U.S. population with parcel shipping in two days or less. For next-day parcel shipping, that number today is 36%, but soon will be 50%, said executives. 

By Emma Cosgrove • May 21, 2019

Nike, Adidas and others call on Trump to remove footwear from tariff list

In an open letter posted by the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, footwear brands called tranche four tariffs "catastrophic" and estimated a $7 billion annual impact on consumers. 

By Matt Leonard • May 21, 2019

LVMH creates blockchain platform to track luxury goods

The move comes as more consumers turn to resale for authentic, high-end goods at affordable prices.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • May 20, 2019

Report: 67% of retailers say omnichannel is a priority

Retailers that adopt strategies such as BOPIS can reach consumers across more platforms and stand out among lagging competitors. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • May 17, 2019

Walmart: Tariffs will lead to higher prices

The increase in tariff rate and the potential impact of a proposed tranche four list on consumer goods have come at a particularly bad time for Walmart as it seeks to speed up fulfillment to match Amazon. 

By Emma Cosgrove • May 17, 2019

Tranche 4 shakes up apparel and footwear supply chains after escaping earlier tariffs

China is currently the United States’ largest supplier of textiles and apparel, accounting for nearly 36% of total imports in 2017 according to the World Bank.

By Morgan Forde • May 16, 2019

Macy's: Tariff tranche 4 is 'the big one'

The retailer has worked for years to move production of private label goods out of China, but the country remains "an important piece of our overall mix," CEO Jeff Gennette said 

By Emma Cosgrove • May 16, 2019

PVH reveals expansive sustainability goals

The fashion conglomerate, which operates brands like Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, introduced a plan with 15 targets for increased transparency including reducing carbon emissions, landfill waste and eradicating single-use plastics.

By Kaarin Moore • May 14, 2019

Walmart adds 1-day shipping as delivery battle heats up

The retailer's announcement raises the stakes for competitors and comes just weeks after Amazon upgraded its Prime delivery to next-day for many products.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 14, 2019

As Old Navy and Gap split, so do their supply chains

Analysts see the brands' split as a strategic move, but it won't come without "teething problems" as supplier relationships and inventory management shift.

By Craig Guillot • May 14, 2019

Sam's Club to open fulfillment center for online orders

A warehouse club in Worcester, Massachusetts will reopen next week as an online order fulfillment center, the fourth of about a dozen planned transformations.

By Lauren Manning • May 13, 2019

Imports to reach 'unusually high levels,' anticipating 4th round of tariffs

Although no official notice or date has been set for another round of tariffs, the National Retail Federation said retailers will attempt to move up merchandise shipments. 

By Matt Leonard • May 10, 2019

Walmart says Project Gigaton goals are on track

In its first environmental, social and governance report, the retailer details progress toward its goal of reducing global supply chain emissions by 1 billion metric tons by 2030.

By Matt Leonard • May 8, 2019