Projections come out from Deloitte and AlixPartners suggesting the holiday season may see a robust increase in sales year-over-year, countering a more bearish outlook from Wells Fargo. We discuss this, as well as hhgregg (or H.H. Gregg, depending on which style you prefer) making a foray back into brick-and-mortar. Additionally, we take a look at Sears Hometown & Outlet Stores earnings, a full rollout of new technology from Meijer, and Stage finally handing over the keys to Gordmans.

We begin our show by looking at Michaels earnings results—more specifically, we look at Michaels’ continued attempts to differentiate in the craft retail space and hone in on their core consumer. From there, we discuss the potential impacts of Hurricane Dorian on U.S. retail, paper shrink in organics, and Kimberly-Clark’s confidence. Additionally, we address Kirkland’s “accelerating in a not-positive direction,” as Layton puts it.

We begin our show by looking at Michaels earnings results—more specifically, we look at Michaels’ continued attempts to differentiate in the craft retail space and hone in on their core consumer. From there, we discuss the potential impacts of Hurricane Dorian on U.S. retail, paper shrink in organics, and Kimberly-Clark’s confidence. Additionally, we address Kirkland’s “accelerating in a not-positive direction,” as Layton puts it.

In a packed podcast, we talk about Target’s record earnings call (and share price) before discussing L Brands’ Jekyll and Hyde status. From there, we discuss Sears Hometown’s most recent suitor, how a once-bankrupt brand may be helping to save Stage, and various initiatives at Ross before wrapping up by glancing at Costco’s China entrance and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet.

In a packed podcast, we talk about Target’s record earnings call (and share price) before discussing L Brands’ Jekyll and Hyde status. From there, we discuss Sears Hometown’s most recent suitor, how a once-bankrupt brand may be helping to save Stage, and various initiatives at Ross before wrapping up by glancing at Costco’s China entrance and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet.

After discussing another quarter in which Walmart provides a positive earnings surprise, we turn our attention to JCPenney’s announced partnership with thredUP, and why it may surpass critics’ expectations. From there, we talk point-of-sale—a new study from creditcards.com suggests customers are still using cash for small purchases at a high rate. We wrap up by looking at Amazon’s…interesting…video promotion.

After discussing another quarter in which Walmart provides a positive earnings surprise, we turn our attention to JCPenney’s announced partnership with thredUP, and why it may surpass critics’ expectations. From there, we talk point-of-sale—a new study from creditcards.com suggests customers are still using cash for small purchases at a high rate. We wrap up by looking at Amazon’s…interesting…video promotion.

CVS and Walgreens were both in the news this week, albeit for vastly different reasons—we discuss CVS’ great quarter and more closures for WBA. We then look to the most recent Sears and Kmart closures for optimism, of all things, before turning our attention to a recent story about retail landlords potentially having interest in serving as de facto lenders to struggling tenants.

CVS and Walgreens were both in the news this week, albeit for vastly different reasons—we discuss CVS’ great quarter and more closures for WBA. We then look to the most recent Sears and Kmart closures for optimism, of all things, before turning our attention to a recent story about retail landlords potentially having interest in serving as de facto lenders to struggling tenants.

After referencing Amazon’s earnings to begin the show, we re-hash Albertsons’ latest quarter and some of their ongoing initiatives as the company seeks to make themselves desirable for a potential IPO. From there, we discuss a bellwether in home improvement, as Sherwin-Williams surges on the retail front once again. We wrap up by discussing GNC’s negative (!) e-commerce sales trends and eBay’s newest fulfillment project.