Apple Hints at New Gadgets; Wet Seal Shares Soar
Apple hints it may unveil "several more game changers," while investors embrace shares of retailer Wet Seal.
clothing
Chain Retailers Report Solid Sales Gains in April
Americans spent more during the early spring months in the latest sign that they're encouraged by the economic recovery.
Bangladesh Factory Fire Kills 8 as Collapse Toll Tops 900
Eight people were killed when a fire swept through a clothing factory in Bangladesh, as the death toll from the collapse of another factory two weeks ago climbed above 900.
Collapsed Building Owner's Property to be Seized
A top court in Bangladesh asked the government Tuesday to "immediately" confiscate the property of the owner of a building that collapsed last week.
Retailers Find Bangladesh Factories Still Make Sense
Despite a series of accidents that have killed hundreds of people in recent months, dozens of major retailers and apparel makers continue to operate in Bangladesh.
Women Are Fleeing Coupon-Free J.C. Penney, New Poll Reveals
J.C. Penney lost more than 1.3 million of its loyal female fans in the last year, a new survey reveals, and the experts say its "fair and square" pricing strategy is probably to blame.
Wall Street Watch Friday: Zumiez Wipes Out
Skateboarding is all about keeping your balance and avoiding the always-embarrassing face-plant. But that's exactly what edgy teen apparel retailer Zumiez failed to do with Thursday afternoon's earnings report.
Piers Morgan Chats With Penney CEO, But No Word on Floundering Makeover
The CNN host Piers Morgan heralded Ron Johnson, CEO of J.C. Penney, as the genius behind Apple stores who's now working his magic on J.C. Penney, ignoring the big, fat elephant in the room: Johnson's February makeover of the chain has so far flopped, sinking revenues and alienating shoppers.
Cool Savings on Summer Swimsuits -- Savings Experiment
Experts show you how to take care of and shop for a budget-friendly swimsuit.
Walmart Gets Laser-Focused on Lowest Prices Again
Over the past few years, Walmart lost its rep for being the place to go for the lowest prices. Now, the nation's biggest retailer is making a serious push to earn that bargain cred back.
Why J.C. Penney Will Never Be Great Again
J.C. Penney's new CEO plans to remake the tired old department store chain a la the Apple Store and Target, and his fresh ideas are earning him applause. But as investors and industry watchers cheer Ron Johnson's turnaround concepts, they're ignoring some big potholes on the road ahead.
Holiday Shopping Alert: The Best Deals Are Ahead
Attention holiday shoppers: Don't feel blue if you missed Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Retail analysts say the best deals are yet to come, with discounts growing deeper as Christmas draws nearer.
Black Friday Shopping Tip: Do It In Your Pajamas
Here's some Black Friday shopping advice: Stay home. Ditch the stores, crowds and lines, and shop online, where the deals often eclipse what you'll find in stores, says Brad Wilson, CEO of Bradsdeals.com. So where are the big bargains on shoes, electronics, jewelry, apparel and home goods? Read on ...
Walmart's Latest Fashion Fail: It's No Target
For years, Walmart has been out to prove it could provide some substance for stylish wardrobes, but shoppers didn't buy the idea of fashion from the retail giant. No shock, its high hopes to emulate Target's "cheap chic" reputation have failed: Walmart's shutting down its Manhattan apparel office.
Can Uniqlo's Clever Clothes Refashion the Retail Market?
Uniqlo has a simple plan: To revolutionize how people wear clothes. As its next step, the Japanese retailer of utilitarian but sexy fashions with cutting-edge features is making a massive push into the U.S. And if you haven't heard the buzz Uniqlo's generating, you will soon.
7 Shopping Dos and Don'ts for September
If August is all about scoring deals on backpacks and other back-to-school items, then what should you buy in September? The editors at DealNews took a look at historical data and came up with the best and worst things to buy this month.
Back-to-School Shopping: Buyers Get a 'C' for Careful
Even before Hurricane Irene interrupted back-to-school shopping, the nation was cautious about spending for the new semester. A teetering economy is affecting the purchasing choices of 75% of families with school-age children, and 70% say they plan to spend the same or less as last year.
Gap's Global Push Brings Retailer to Vietnam, Guam
Building on its ongoing mission to grab a bigger share of the $1.4 trillion global apparel market, Gap will open its first stores in Vietnam and Guam through its franchise channel in the next few months.
A&F Asks 'The Situation' to Stop Wearing Its Gear
Abercrombie & Fitch has offered to pay Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino, a cast member on MTV's "Jersey Shore," money to stop wearing its clothes. But does the brand really hate Sorrentino, or is the move simply a way to score a free affiliation with the star?
Fashion Forward: eBay to Open Virtual Outlet Mall
In September, EBay plans to open an online outlet store with products from Brooks Brothers, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Spanx and Bluefly. It could help the company grow, but it's also another step away from its madcap auctioneer roots. Is eBay getting boring?
Can Athleta Give Gap a Much-Needed Win?
Athleta, a women's sportswear merchant that the Gap bought in 2008, opened its first two East Coast stores in New York this week. At a time when 200 Gap stores are closing, Athleta is sprinting toward its goal of 50 stores by 2013. But can it beat out its fast-growing competitors?
Researchers: Open Dressing Rooms Could Lower Sales
Consumers who don't feel good about their body image are less likely to purchase something they try on if they see an attractive shopper wearing the same thing, according to a study in the August issue of the Journal of Consumer Research.
Madonna Brings Edgy Teen Clothing to Macy's
Madonna and her 14-year-old daughter, Lourdes "Lola" Leon, have designed a juniors line for Macy's called Material Girl. But will the edgy style prove too sexy for teens -- and the parents they're shopping with?
Can a New CEO Fill
Lands' End's Sails?
Lands' End has named Edgar Huber, former CEO of Juicy Couture, as its new chief executive. Will he be able to breathe new life into the 48-year-old brand?
Retailers Post Solid July Sales
July retail sales were solid, with Costco, Macy's, JC Penney, Nordstron and Saks Fifth Avenue all beating expectations. Craig Johnson, president of Customer Growth Partners, the retail consultancy, says we could be having the best back-to-school selling season since 2006.
Gap Goes to Rome: Italian Store Builds on Global Push
As part of a larger push to bring its classic American design aesthetic to international markets -- and build on its recent Italian successes -- Gap will debut a flagship store in Rome on Via del Corso, a key shopping area, on Saturday.
Retail Watchers Upbeat on Back-to-School Outlook
Firecracker remnants may still dot the nation's sidewalks, but retail forecasters are already talking about back-to-school shopping season -- and they're happy to do so. The improved economic environment is setting the stage for sales gains in everything from tablet computers to bold-colored jeans.
Refashioning Gap: CEO Sees Future in Outlets, Online
Gap (GPS) might be undergoing an extreme makeover, but the chain is no longer the key growth engine, CEO Glenn Murphy told investors Wednesday. Learn why the apparel giant is shifting its emphasis to its outlet businesses, newer divisions such as Piperlime and Athleta, and overseas growth.
Why Teeny Bikinis Have Such Big Price Tags
Summer is here, which means for many of us, it's time for a new swimsuit. But as they hunt for a suit that truly suits, many women have to wonder: How is it that two-pieces can be so expensive when they're so tiny? DailyFinance's Loren Berlin dove into the clothing biz and came up with the answers.