Nordstrom family members weigh taking the retailer private

Jun 8, 2017
Nordstrom’s stock jumped today after the company said a group of Nordstrom family members is considering taking the company private. Like all department stores, Nordstrom has been battling a decline in shopping mall traffic and competition from online retailers. The company reported weaker-than-expected sales last month and warned of a sluggish year ahead. Among other […]

Brick and mortar stores are dying, but not at this mall

Jun 8, 2017
LA's Glendale Galleria is making shopping more convenient — and fun — for its visitors.
Many malls are still thriving because they’re staying ahead of the curve in the new retail reality. Above, a picture of the Glendale Galleria.
Rachel Murray/Getty Images for NYX Professional Makeup

You've heard of co-working; now there's co-retailing

May 30, 2017
The new type of startup allows small companies to share space — and foot traffic — in brick-and-mortar stores.
Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Google tries to connect the dots between online ads and offline buys

May 24, 2017
Online shopping is sometimes just that — shopping. The actual buying happens later — in an actual store. Until now, retailers haven’t been able to connect those dots. Google says it has a tool that will let them connect online clicks to in-store buys. Good for Google, which may be able to sell more search […]

It’s back to basics for Target stores

May 16, 2017
Target reports its earnings Wednesday. After months of slumping sales and profits, the retailer is getting back to retailing basics: Renovating stores and pricing grocery items more competitively. That strategy means the Minneapolis-based retailer is abandoning some of the more futuristic innovations it was experimenting with. Click the audio player above to hear the full story.

You could be paying more sales tax online if states get their way

May 16, 2017
Amazon has agreed to collect sales tax on all its transactions. Now states are targeting all other online retailers.
A parcel is prepared for dispatch at an Amazon warehouse. 
Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

Expect retail company struggles to show up in this week’s earnings

May 11, 2017
Retailers galore report their earnings this week amid a string of massive brick-and-mortar store closures, with more shuttered doors expected. What can Kohl’s, J.C. Penney, Nordstrom and others do to hang on? Adapt faster to offer some online shopping perks and tools, or learn the predictive strategies that online retailers have down pat. Click the […]

For public good, not for profit.

More than 60,000 retail workers lost their jobs since January

Apr 19, 2017
Seems like every time you turn around, another department store chain is closing locations and laying off people – Macy’s, Sears, J.C. Penney — and these are just the biggies. Since January, nearly 61,000 jobs have been eliminated in the retail sector. What kinds of jobs are being lost? And where are these workers going?  Click […]

Outlet malls thrive as shoppers search for bargains and experiences

Apr 12, 2017
In the past five years, sales at the shopping centers have doubled to about $50 billion.
In the last five years, sales at outlet malls have doubled to about $50 billion, according to Green Street Advisors. Above, Camarillo Premium Outlets.
Photo courtesy of premiumoutlets.com

How augmented reality can improve shopping

Mar 27, 2017
In virtual reality, you'll be able to try on 30 outfits in a few minutes, Bold Metrics says.
Photo courtesy of Bold Metrics Inc.