Photos: Retail during the pandemic
Small retailers in Madison adjusted to the changing economic realities of COVID-19 in an effort to survive.
T-shirts that tell the story of Madison lakes are among the popular otems at Zip-Dang on Monroe Street.
Orange Tree Imports has been a part of Madison's retail scene for more than 45 years.
Even the smallest businesses have added e-commerce options during the pandemic.
Natalie Bass, co-owner and founder of Zip-Dang, said she adjusted to the pandemic by making masks, putting more of her inventory online and bringing her husband's T-shirt screening production into the store. She no longer has employees and has reduced the hours she is open.
The hand-sewn women's clothing made by Natalie Bass at Zip-Dang has always been a part of the store's website, but the rest of the store's inventory has also been added to the site as more people turned to online shopping.
Coffee mugs line the shelves at Orange Tree Imports where signage reminds visitors of social distancing.
At Vanilla Bean, customers began requesting smaller packaging as both professional and home bakers began making cakes, cookies and candy in smaller sizes and quantities.
Orange Tree Imports has been a part of the retail scene on Monroe Street for over 45 years, but over the past year has been challenged by the pandemic. Sales in 2020 were off by 38%, and the number of customers allowed in the store at one time was limited to five.
Social distancing reminders abound in Orange Tree Imports in Madison.
Shoppers at Vanilla Bean on Odana Road peruse the collection of cooking and baking inventory. The store, a staple in Madison since 1983, saw sales crash in spring 2020, but business has since rebounded as the pandemic has inspired more people to bake and cook.
Vanilla Bean, a supply depot for area bakers and candy makers, saw the pandemic strike on the cusp of Easter, graduation parties and wedding events in 2020. The Odana Road business scaled back its staffing and halted classes, but saw increased interest in home baking and cooking.
An activist investor is pushing department store chain Kohl's Inc. to either sell the entire company or spin off its e-commerce division.
Kohl's announced its long-term goals ahead of the company's annual investor meeting as it faces increasing pressure from activist investors.
Dodgeville-based clothing retailer Lands’ End on Wednesday reported higher revenue, but lower earnings in its fiscal fourth quarter, compared to the same period a year earlier.
Dodgeville-based Lands' End Inc. on Thursday reported a fiscal first-quarter loss as sales declined compared to a year ago.
The Wisconsin chain said late Monday that it was in a three-week exclusive takeover period with the owner of Vitamin Shoppe for $60 per share.
The potential sale of the Kohl's department store chain has fallen apart in a shaky retail environment of rising inflation and consumer anxiety.
Amid a toughening retail climate, Lands' End Inc. on Thursday reported a fiscal second-quarter loss of $2.2 million, after reporting a profit of $16.2 million in the same period a year earlier.
Activist investor Ancora Holdings Group is pushing for the removal of both the chairman and the chief executive officer at Kohl's Corp. for what it calls a botched strategy and dramatic sales declines.
An activist investor that has been pressing Kohl's Corp. for a new strategy to turn around struggling operations is again attempting to shake up the department store's board.
CEO Michelle Gass is leaving Kohl's, which has been under pressure by activist investors to shake up management amid weak sales.
Kohl's Corp. on Thursday reported fiscal third-quarter earnings that beat analysts’ expectations, though they were well below a year ago.
Lands' End Inc. on Thursday reported a fiscal third-quarter loss of $4.7 million, after reporting a profit in the same period a year earlier.
Tom Kingsbury, a Kohl's board member with more than 40 years experience in retail, has served as an interim CEO since early December.
Lands’ End swings to loss in fiscal Q4, 2022 after posting a profit in same periods a year earlier
Lands' End said it had a loss of $3.3 million, or $0.10 per share, on revenue of $529.6 million in its fiscal fourth quarter.
The Dodgeville-based clothier reported a loss of $1.7 million, or $0.05 per share, on revenue of $309.6 million in its fiscal first quarter ended April 28.
The Dodgeville-based clothing retailer said it had a loss of $8 million, or 25 cents per share, on revenue of $323.4 million in its fiscal second quarter.
The Dodgeville-based clothing retailer said it expects full-year results to range from a loss of 16 cents per share to a loss of 7 cents per share.
The Dodgeville-based clothing retailer said it expects fiscal 2024Â earnings in the range of 10 cents to 38 cents per share.
The Dodgeville-based clothier reported a loss of $6.4 million in its fiscal first quarter, or 20 cents per share, on revenue of $285.5 million.
The Dodgeville-based clothing retailer posted a loss off $5.3 million, of 17 cents per share, on revenue of $317.2 million in the quarter.
Lands' End reported a loss of $593,000, or 2 cents per share, on revenue of $318.6 million. Adjusted for one-time gains and costs, it earned 6 cents per share.
The Dodgeville-based retailer reported earnings of $18.5 million, or $0.59 per share, on revenue of $441.7 million for the quarter ended Jan. 31.
The Dodgeville-based clothier reported a fiscal first quarter loss of $8.3 million, or 27 cents per share, on revenue of $261.2 million. Its adjusted loss was 18 cents per share.
The Dodgeville-based clothing retailer posted a loss of $3.7 million, of 12 cents per share, on revenue of $294.1 million in the quarter.
The Dodgeville-based clothing maker reported net income of $5.2 million, or 17 cents per share, on revenue of $317.5 million.Â
The Dodgeville-based retailer reported earnings of $12.3 million, or $0.40 per share, on revenue of $462.4 million for the quarter.
