With warehouses full, retailers look to store goods outside

Nov 16, 2022
The “industrial outdoor storage” industry has been booming during the pandemic, as retailers try to find creative places to park their goods — literally.
With warehouse space in high demand, some retailers look to facilities with larger parking lots to store goods outdoors.
Kyryl Gorlov/Getty Images

Adapting an e-commerce product for retail shelves

Nov 15, 2022
“It essentially changes the DNA of your business,” said Lindsay McCormick, CEO of personal care products company Bite.
Lindsay McCormick, CEO of personal care products company Bite, holds a package of deodorant.
Maria Hollenhorst/Marketplace

Retailers hope for a holiday season that's more predictable, less wonky

Nov 14, 2022
A few other things retailers want: a steady pace of spending and to unload excess inventory.
"Retailers are almost wishing for a more steady pace of holiday spending rather than a mad dash to those holiday sales," said Wells Fargo economist Shannon Seery.
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In the pre-holiday scramble, small businesses see a little bit of supply chain relief

Oct 26, 2022
The owners of a record and comic book shop, a toy store, and a greeting card and outdoor gear business share their experiences.
Shelves of comic books and record bins at Phillip Rollins' new OffBeat location, in Jackson, Mississippi.
Courtesy Phillip Rollins

Holiday shopping will look different this year, with discounts coming early

Oct 10, 2022
Consumers can expect early and steep sales as retailers try to offload excessive inventory. Online shopping is expected to cool.
"Consumers are going to be seeing some of the best discounts they’ve seen in quite some time," said Vivek Pandya of Adobe Analytics. 
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As transportation bottlenecks clear, supply chains face shortage of warehouse space

Oct 5, 2022
Warehouse rents are soaring while transportation costs are plummeting.
Prices to rent warehouse space have been surging nationally, says Jason Tolliver with the real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield.
Jeff Schear/Getty Images for Walmart

Companies plan to hire fewer seasonal workers this year

Sep 22, 2022
Retailers are worried that inflation and fear of a potential recession will impact holiday spending.
Walmart said it plans to hire 40,000 seasonal workers for the holidays this year. It brought on 150,000 in 2021.
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For public good, not for profit.

Why retailers messed up their inventories so badly

Aug 18, 2022
Target, Walmart and others have struggled to keep up with changes in consumer buying and have had to predict demand further in advance.
Target and other retailers have been marking down prices in hopes of moving their glut of merchandise.
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

How teen mall hot spot Claire’s went from bankruptcy to IPO filing

Aug 5, 2022
The chain has benefited from '90s fashion trends, a good supply chain and looking outside of malls, says Elizabeth Segran of Fast Company.
Claire's has a team of "trend spotters" who travel the world looking for the next popular thing, says Elizabeth Segran of Fast Company. 
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Spending is up, but consumer confidence isn't

Jul 15, 2022
Retail sales rose in June, yet inflation is still a factor in how and where people are willing to spend.
While electronic and appliance sales saw the biggest drop in the last year, spending at bars and restaurants remain strong.
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