Latest Retail and wholesale News

Lawyers for ex-Abercrombie CEO say dementia may leave him incompetent to face sex charges

Dec. 24, 2024 12:50 PM EST

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) — Defense lawyers say the former longtime CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch may have dementia, and a competency hearing is necessary to determine if he can face sex charges. Lawyers for Michael Jeffries said in court papers unsealed Monday in federal court in...

Starbucks strike expands, closes nearly 60 US stores

Dec. 23, 2024 15:26 PM EST

A five-day strike by Starbucks baristas had closed 59 stores as of Monday afternoon, according to the union organizing the workers. The strike, which began Friday in Los Angeles, Chicago and Starbucks' hometown of Seattle, spread Monday to stores in Boston, Dallas and Portland, Ore....

Nordstrom to be acquired by Nordstrom family and a Mexican retail group in $6.25 billion deal

Dec. 23, 2024 13:07 PM EST

Century-old department store Nordstrom has agreed to be acquired and taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal with the industry being squeezed by discount chains and other competition. Public companies are under a lot more scrutiny...

American consumers feeling less confident in December, Conference Board says

Dec. 23, 2024 10:34 AM EST

American consumers are feeling less confident in December, a business research group says. The Conference Board said Monday that its consumer confidence index fell back in December to 104.7 from 112.8 in November. Analysts forecast a rise to a reading of 113.8. Consumers had been...

The Container Store, buffeted by rough housing market and competition, seeks bankruptcy protection

Dec. 23, 2024 08:25 AM EST

NEW YORK (AP) — The Container Store has filed for bankruptcy protection as the storage and organizational goods retailer with roots dating back to the 1970s grapples with mounting losses and cash flow shortages. The Texas company has faced increasing competition from retailers like...

Pickup truck driver killed by police after driving through busy mall store is identified

Dec. 22, 2024 17:25 PM EST

KILLEEN, Texas (AP) — A pickup truck driver fleeing police careened through the doors of a JCPenney store at a busy Texas mall, injuring five people before he was fatally shot by officers, authorities said. A 53-year-old man identified as John Darrel Schultz of Kempner drove a...

Party City to close its stores as company files for bankruptcy

Dec. 22, 2024 13:47 PM EST

LOS ANGELES (AP) — For nearly 40 years, customers flocked to Party City for Halloween costumes, favors for children's birthday parties and decorations for New Year's Eve celebrations. Now, the go-to shop for everything from cartoon-themed balloons to Super Bowl decor is closing stores. ...

Big Lots conducts going-out-of-business sales after sale of company falls through

Dec. 20, 2024 19:09 PM EST

NEW YORK (AP) — Discount chain Big Lots is conducting going-out-of-business sales at its remaining locations after a sale of the company didn't materialize. The Columbus, Ohio-based retailer, which sells furniture, home decor and other items, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy...

Starbucks workers begin strikes that could spread to hundreds of US stores by Christmas Eve

Dec. 20, 2024 14:57 PM EST

Workers at Starbucks stores began a five-day strike Friday to protest lack of progress in contract negotiations with the company. The strikes by baristas and other workers were scheduled to take place in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle and could spread to hundreds of stores across...

Next Week: Retail sales, newly constructed homes, unemployment benefit claims

Dec. 20, 2024 14:05 PM EST

A look at some of the key business events and economic indicators upcoming next week. Retail review Redbook Research releases its weekly gauge of retail sales on Tuesday. The report is a key indicator of retailers’ performance because it measures...