Deep Dive: Page 2

Industry insights from our journalists

  • A black-and-white photo of a black plastic garbage bag with handles, filled with clothing.
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    Courtesy of Gap Inc.
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    Gap’s real Yeezy problem

    The struggling brand is left with garbage bags full of clothes from a collaboration meant to revitalize its fortunes.

    Daphne Howland • Oct. 25, 2022
  • Tan dress cover hanger on a rack saying "BHLDN"
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    Valerie Hinojosa via Flickr

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    Retail would like to buy a vowel

    Brands are turning to naming strategies like spelling words incorrectly and cutting out vowels. But it’s about much more than domain availability.

    Cara Salpini • Oct. 24, 2022
  • A brown-brick facade with a white "Kohl's" sign decorates a cream-colored building and main entrance of a store, with small trees in the foreground.
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    Courtesy of Kohl's
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    Is Kohl’s ready for a change?

    Activists are at it again, pushing the department store to improve its results. But some observers say it must do more than shake up its board.

    Daphne Howland • Oct. 17, 2022
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    kajakiki via Getty Images
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    A trip through holidays past and future shows COVID-19’s lasting impact on the season

    Masks, distancing, curbside, October sales, out-of-stocks, inflation — the holidays have been evolving rapidly since the pandemic started. What changes are here to stay?

    Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 10, 2022
  • Dozens of packages are lined up along a Manhattan street as a FedEx truck makes deliveries on December 6, 2021 in New York City.
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    Spencer Platt/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    How tensions between FedEx Ground and its contractors reached a boiling point

    The logistics giant's model for independent delivery providers is broken, an analyst said. One contractor is leading a push for change.

    Max Garland • Aug. 26, 2022
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Bed Bath & Beyond is at risk of filing for bankruptcy. How did it get here?

    The retailer has lost sales and market share all while experiencing mounting losses. And without a leader at the helm, it faces an inflection point.

    Caroline Jansen • Aug. 19, 2022
  • A row of desks sit empty in a classroom with the desk in the forefront having a notebook and pencil sitting on top.
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    diane39 via Getty Images
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    Back-to-school challenges marketers as shoppers focus on savings

    Brand loyalty is out the window amid economic distress, tasking brands and retailers to find new ways to court once-faithful customers.

    Jessica Deyo • Aug. 11, 2022
  • A blurry figure walking into a store.
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    Courtesy of Amazon
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    As consumers return to stores, why would Amazon shut the door?

    The e-retailer is expanding its grocery fleet and experimenting with apparel stores. But it has abandoned stand-alone brick and mortar for book sales and other merchandise.

    Daphne Howland • July 25, 2022
  • Aerial view of a container ship passing beneath a suspension bridge while a semi-truck with a cargo container crosses above.
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    Photo Illustration: Getty Images; Industry Dive

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    'We have to do something': Can retail close the gap on supply chain emissions?

    The industry is woefully behind on scope 3 targets for greenhouse gases. Data poses steep challenges, but experts say retailers still can — and must — do more.

    Ben Unglesbee • July 18, 2022
  • Mannequins in an Old Navy store window.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Where does Sonia Syngal’s exit leave Gap?

    With underperformance across its brands, many of the retailer’s problems are self-inflicted. But others are a sign of broader trouble in apparel.

    Daphne Howland • July 13, 2022
  • A worker is framed behind a moving shirt in a garment factory.
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    Photo Illustration: Guang Niu/Getty Images; Industry Dive

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    With closer scrutiny of apparel manufacturing, policymakers become the real fashion police

    Momentum is building to more forcefully regulate the industry, which has poor track records on workers rights and the environment.

    Daphne Howland • July 5, 2022
  • Cardboard boxes on a conveyor belt in a warehouse.
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    Photo Illustration: Getty Images; Industry Dive

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    DTC brands have long been vocal about the importance of sustainability. Is that enough?

    As more direct-to-consumer companies find value in physical retail, they must consider how that fits into their goals.

    Caroline Jansen • June 27, 2022
  • Protestors hold signs that read "Vote Yes - Raises, More Hours, Transport."
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    Photo Illustration: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images; Industry Dive 

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    How retailers' attitudes toward unionization clash with their ESG policies

    Consumers and investors are concerned that the industry’s stance on issues like collective bargaining at overseas suppliers isn't being applied to U.S. operations.

    Daphne Howland • June 21, 2022
  • Three business woman discuss on stage.
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    Photo Illustration: Riccardo Savi/Getty Images; Industry Dive

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    Can investors make retail sustainable?

    Lenders and shareholders are tying ESG concerns to the capital they invest. Meanwhile, corporate finance teams in retail lag in leading on sustainability.

    Ben Unglesbee • June 13, 2022
  • Textile rolls in a warehouse
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    Getty Images; Industry Dive

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    Retail is fundamentally bad for the environment. And doing better isn't easy.

    Improving sustainability is a web of complexity for retailers. Ultimately, it may mean sidelining growth.

    Cara Salpini • June 6, 2022
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    Photo Illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    Sneaker supremacy: Nike and Adidas battle for brand love

    Duking it out over six decades, the athletic wear companies influenced sports marketing and culture like few others. Who dominates in the stretch ahead may hinge on innovation and acting on pledges.

    Natalie Koltun • May 11, 2022
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    Don Arnold via Getty Images
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    Buy now, pay later players' losses grow as costs soar

    BNPL providers are paying a hefty price to keep up with surging consumer demand for their financing services, spending large sums to add new tech and more employees. 

    Jonathan Berr • May 10, 2022
  • A Reebok storefront in New York City
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    Cara Salpini/Retail Dive
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    For future growth, Reebok is looking to its past

    A new owner could be an opportunity for the brand to reclaim some of its previous clout. But it's been a long time since Reebok's prime.

    Cara Salpini • May 10, 2022
  • The arms of a person wearing a striped shirt can be seen taking an envelope out of a box filled with clothes.
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    Courtesy of Stitch Fix
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    Stitch Fix to stylists: 'Take ownership of the disappointment, no matter the role the data played'

    Is the apparel e-retailer a tech company? Or not?

    Daphne Howland • May 9, 2022
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    For furniture retail, supply chain chaos has become 'normalized'

    As category players extend lead times and amass inventory to manage delays, they're also building sourcing relationships beyond China and Vietnam.

    Ben Unglesbee • April 25, 2022
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    "Guess Jeans Label" by Mike Mozart is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Guess' Paul Marciano problem is shining a spotlight on boards

    The brand's co-founder remains, while its board of directors is slammed by an activist investor and sued by victims over his alleged sexual crimes.

    Daphne Howland • April 14, 2022
  • Interior of Lego store.
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    Courtesy of Lego
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    Brick by brick: How Lego continues to build a toy empire

    The retailer celebrates its 90th anniversary this year. And with over $8 billion in sales and IP deals that leverage pop culture, it shows no signs of slowing down.

    Kaarin Vembar • March 28, 2022
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    Anthony Kwan via Getty Images
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    Can brands stay safe in the metaverse?

    As marketers explore how the metaverse fits into their strategy, brand safety should be top of mind.

    Sara Karlovitch • March 24, 2022
  • woman shops on mobile phone
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    roshinio via Getty Images
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    How does Gen Z feel about credit cards? It's complicated.

    Each generation has approached credit differently; Gen Z is no exception. As they turn toward credit cards, industry analysts say these consumers are likely to keep card companies on their toes.

    Caitlin Mullen • March 22, 2022
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Can Macy's hit the private label bull's-eye?

    Hiring former Target designers is a sign the department store is serious about its promise to overhaul its own brands. But that won't be enough.

    Daphne Howland • March 21, 2022