Retailers grapple with returns as online sales surge

Dec 29, 2021
Optoro, which manages returns for Target and Ikea, says consumers will send back $120 billion worth of goods this season.
Consumers will return $120 billion worth of products between Thanksgiving and the end of January, according to Optoro. Above, a UPS package handler loads a truck.
Jon Cherry via Getty Images

Holiday sales boosted by fear of empty shelves

Dec 27, 2021
An early picture of the all-important selling season looks decent.
With shoppers hunting for presents earlier, retailers enjoyed the strongest holiday sales growth in nearly two decades, according to the Mastercard SpendingPulse report.
Brandon Bell via Getty Images

Small Business Saturday helps retailers who aren't caught in the supply chain

Nov 26, 2021
Smaller businesses that sell locally sourced goods, or provide services, don't always need faraway suppliers.
With some name-brand products delayed by supply chain issues, small retailers may see a boost this holiday shopping season. Above, Small Business Saturday signage in a New York City window.
Brian Ach/Getty Images for American Express

Malls turn to luxury retailers

Nov 23, 2021
Retail centers in wealthy neighborhoods with high-end shops have survived, but middle- and lower-tier malls may struggle.
Purveyors of luxury goods have largely fared better during the pandemic than lower-end shops.
Spencer Platt via Getty Images

Why Target and others are giving workers Thanksgiving off

Nov 22, 2021
Employers want to keep their workers happy in this tight labor market — and holiday staffing is expensive.
Target announced that it will be closed on Thanksgiving Day going forward.
Scott Olson via Getty Images

LA's port problems have retailers worrying about empty shelves for the holidays

Nov 9, 2021
Retailers and manufacturers are anxious about holiday shopping as they monitor supplies on delayed cargo ships.
Lots of space on the shelves in the toy department of a Houston Target store.
Brandon Bell via Getty Images

Retailers work around supply snags to fill shelves ahead of holidays

Sep 7, 2021
Grappling with shortages as holiday shopping season approaches, merchants focus on products that are available.
The Macy's department store in Manhattan, Christmas Eve 2020. Responding to product shortages, merchants are modifying their offerings to emphasize available inventory.
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For public good, not for profit.

How on-demand warehousing creates space for entrepreneurs

Aug 25, 2021
“Our goal is to democratize logistics,” said Ben Euchus, co-founder and CEO of on-demand warehouse company, Flowspace.
Karlton Frazier, co-founder and CEO of The Manifest Company in his fulfillment center in Los Angeles. On-demand warehousing enabled Frazier to outsource storage and order fulfillment of his company’s yoga mats.
Maria Hollenhorst

Walmart will make local "white label" deliveries for other retailers

Aug 24, 2021
The retail giant already has a well developed "last-mile" delivery network in parts of the country.
Walmart announced Tuesday that it will be expanding its delivery service to handle shipments from other businesses in a "white label" shipping service called GoLocal.
George Frey via Getty Images

Did department stores train people to be difficult customers?

Aug 13, 2021
Amanda Mull, a staff writer at The Atlantic, argues that department stores had a hand in building class consciousness.
Customers shop at Macys department store in New York on Black Friday, Nov. 27, 2020.
Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images