L.L. Bean boots feature

L.L. Bean Expands Omnichannel Approach

| Mike O'Brien

L.L. Bean, looking to expose more shoppers to its iconic, century-old mix of outdoor apparel and gear, is expanding its wholesale partnerships, opening new stores in the U.S. and Canada and launching a French-language website north of the border as well. The retailer has signed wholesale partnerships with Moosejaw and Dillard’s, adding 66 storefronts, plus four new owned locations.

Foot Locker with Nike store feature

Foot Locker Hit by Nike’s DTC Shift

| Mike O'Brien

Sports apparel retailer Foot Locker continues to be hampered in its results by the ongoing shift of major supplier Nike to a direct-to-consumer model, with Foot Locker reporting on its shifting revenue mix during its fourth quarter earnings report. The sneaker giant remains its largest supplier, but at a smaller scale.

Nike boxes stacked

Nike Doubles Down on DTC, Cutting Out 9 Retail Partners

| Mike O'Brien

Nike is shutting out nine of its retail partners as the company continues a major focus and shift toward direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales, according to a note from Susquehanna Financial Group analyst Sam Poser. The nine retailers are Belk, Dillard’s, Zappos, Boscov’s, Bob’s Stores, Fred Meyer, EBLens, VIM and City Blue.

Most Retailers Delivered on Time This Christmas, Clearing a Lowered Bar

| Mike O'Brien

Retailers lowered the bar for Christmas season fulfillment, then easily cleared it, according to Kurt Salmon. Ninety-three percent of retailers tracked were able to process and deliver customer orders by the last guaranteed delivery date. But 33% of them ditched their last order promise date as Christmas approached.