Retail Stores

Sears Holdings Corporation has a lot of real estate and not enough sales to keep all of that real estate busy. One solution is to close stores as they underperform or as leases expire, which the company has been doing. Another solution? Rent out that space. For the right customer, virtually every Sears and Kmart store is up for grabs. While there are a few closed buildings available to anyone interested in opening their own big box, most space available is inside Sears or Kmart stores that are already operating and plan to stay in business after you move in.

Bonobos’ CEO Andy Dunn discusses the role of brick-and-mortar stores in the brand's growth plans. 

In a move that's in line with the strategies of many other fast-fashion retailers, Forever 21 is plotting a major expansion. In an interview with WWD, Founder and CEO Don Chang said that he plans to double the size of the company in the next three years, expanding its total retail footprint to 1,200 stores globally. (There are currently 600.) A big part of that growth will likely involve F21 Red, a newer store concept that boasts a deeper inventory of the brand's lowest-priced items, like $1.80 camisoles, $3.80 T-shirts and pairs of jeans priced at $7.80. 

Nothing screams USA pride more than a skimpy red, white and blue bikini. But does it matter that the $32.98 swimsuit mentioned above, and sold at Target, actually was made in Cambodia? As the nation prepares to celebrate its 238th birthday, "Buy America" efforts are still going strong, though emotions on the subject tend to fluctuate depending on the state of the economy. But what about products, ranging from toothpicks to towels, with specific patriotic motifs? Or the U.S. flag itself? Should those products, which are marketed with an Uncle Sam sentiment in mind, be made in the United States?

Costco has been a remarkably successful player in discount retail over the last several years, and the company has outgrown competitors such as Wal-Mart and Target by a considerable margin. But investing is about the future, not the rearview mirror, so investors need to analyze if the company can continue outperforming on a forward-looking basis. Interestingly, there are some reasons to believe Costco should continue getting stronger over time. When comparing Costco versus other mass-merchant retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target, the difference can be truly remarkable. Costco has done much better than both 

A part of our childhood hearts break to hear the news that Juicy Couture will be closing all U.S. locations towards the end of June. As the once celebrity-adored label shutters its brick-and-mortar stores, it may be the end of an era. The era, that is, of trendy terrycloth and velour sweatpants and zip-ups, which were often branded with the word "JUICY." There's no other trend of lounge wear that took over the women's fashion world with such ease. Because of stars like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, the velour tracksuit stole the hearts of many young women. 

New York-based luxury handbag maker Coach is planning to close about 70 underperforming stores in fiscal 2015 as it tries to make its business more competitive with fast-growing rivals. The retailer also gave a disappointing revenue forecast for fiscal 2015. Coach, which also makes accessories, footwear and other items, is grappling with weakness in its North American handbag and accessories market as consumers increasingly flock to rivals such as Michael Kors Holdings Ltd., which has been quick to churn out trendy designs. But the latest report shows that the slump will continue for a while. 

After a series of gaffes entering the Canadian market last year, including high prices and a rushed expansion, Target took to the internet to issue an apology to its shoppers in The Great White North. In a YouTube video posted last week, members of Target's Canada team talk about their excitement to bring the bull's-eye retailer to the country, only to undergo a series of missteps — and criticism — when it opened more than 100 locations in a year. 

At the end of the 2014 fiscal year (January 2014), Wal-Mart had 3,285 supercenters in the United States that vary in size from 180,000 square feet to 230,000 square feet. It also had 508 discount stores that were around 140,000 square feet, smaller than the supercenters because they sell very little food. There were also, according to Wal-Mart's annual report, 407 even smaller units, of which 359 are the Wal-Mart Marketplace concept. These stores average around 43,000 square foot in size and have been around since 1998.

RadioShack on Tuesday reported a wider loss and said it may have to reduce the headcount at its corporate office in Fort Worth as it tries to cut costs. Mobile phone sales continue to be weak and new products in the pipeline won't be in stores until