retail

Jeff Greenberg / UIG via Getty Images

6:19pm Aug 02, 2018

National National

Brookstone Files For Bankruptcy, Plans To Close Mall Stores

by Cameron Jenkins

The retailer known for massage chairs and other gadgets plans to keep its airport stores. It first filed for bankruptcy in April 2014.
Rachel Murray / Getty Images for MGA Entertainment

5:05am Apr 10, 2018

National National

Maker Of Bratz And Little Tikes Seeks To Save Toys R Us

by Heidi Glenn

Toy mogul Isaac Larian, head of MGA Entertainment, has launched a $1 billion GoFundMe campaign to save the bankrupt toy chain. "I will make Toys R Us a fun place again," he tells NPR.

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Chris Carlson / AP

1:43pm Mar 19, 2018

Some Retailers Are Holding Your Returns Against You

by Asia Simone Burns

Some major retailers use consumer shopping behavior to determine whether they are a risk or should be authorized to make returns.
Susan Walsh / AP

12:09pm Dec 24, 2017

National National Economy

Analysis Shows Women Lost Jobs In Retail Last Year, Though Men Gained

by Lauren Frayer

According to a study, last year, men gained higher-paying jobs in retail while women lost them. Heidi Hartmann of the Institute for Women's Policy Research spoke with NPR's Lauren Frayer to explain.

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Gunnar Rathbun / AP

8:26am Dec 15, 2017

National National Economy

Retailers Hope For Strong Holiday Season As November Sales Beat Expectations

by James Doubek

Retail and food sales were up 5.8 percent in November over the same time last year, the Commerce Department said. Retailers are hoping for their best year since before the economic recession.
Eric Gay / AP

3:53pm Dec 07, 2017

National National

Struggling Toys R Us Plans To Pay Executives Millions In Bonuses

by Amy Held

The nation's largest toy retailer filed for bankruptcy in September but said it wants to motivate its top brass to turn around sales in the critical holiday shopping season.
8:18am Nov 23, 2017

National National

'Just Time Together': For Some Workers, A Thanksgiving Off Is A Rare Treat

by Alina Selyukh

For millions of Americans working in retail, Thanksgiving is the start to the most intense stretch of the year. One woman shares the story of her first Thanksgiving without a work shift in 23 years.

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2:49pm Nov 21, 2017

Economy Economy

HPU Poll Suggests Black Friday, Thanksgiving Shopping Trends Changing

by Keri Brown

The day after Thanksgiving is traditionally one of the biggest shopping days of the year.

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10:15am Oct 27, 2017

Human Interest Human Interest News

Carolina Curious: Why Are So Many Small Businesses Closed On Sunday And Monday?

by Eddie Garcia

Have you ever driven to a favorite store or restaurant only to discover that the open sign is not lit up? Have you driven away, frustrated, wondering why?

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Joe Raedle / Getty Images

8:16am Sep 06, 2017

National National Economy

Grocery Prices Have Been Falling. Did You Notice?

by Alina Selyukh

For 19 months in a row, food prices in America's supermarkets fell compared to a year earlier. This is good news for shoppers but has weighed on the grocery industry and the people who grow our food.

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Bebeto Matthews / AP

4:52pm Jul 15, 2017

National National

Brides Scramble For Dresses And Information After Alfred Angelo Stores Close Abruptly

by Bill Chappell

The lawyer handling the bankruptcy case says she has received more than 7,000 emails from customers. Former brides are offering free dresses and tips — such as the phone numbers of seamstresses.
Moby Mart

5:46pm Jul 05, 2017

Economy Economy

Too Convenient? A Mobile Supermarket That Comes To You

by Glenn McDonald

The Moby Mart concept is being tested in China. A 7-Eleven meets driverless tractor-trailer, the store could be summoned by an app and staffed by a holographic clerk. Are we entering WALL-E world?