Retail

Bloomberg Forever 21 Inc is preparing for a potential bankruptcy filing as the fashion retailer’s cash dwindles and turnaround options fade, according to people with knowledge of the plans. The company has been in talks for additional financing and working with a team of advisers to help it restructure its debt, but negotiations with possible lenders have so far stalled, …

Bloomberg Debt-laden UK travel giant Thomas Cook Group Plc secured the backing of its lending banks and bondholders for a $1.1 billion bailout led by Chinese investor Fosun Tourism Group. Fosun will provide half of the total in return for control of Cook’s tour-operator arm and a stake in its airline, the London-based holiday firm said. Banks and noteholders will …

Bloomberg Struggling pizza maker Papa John’s International Inc appointed Arby’s President Rob Lynch as chief executive officer, naming an outsider as it further breaks from its controversial founder John Schnatter. Lynch, a fast-food industry veteran, will replace Steve Ritchie. It’s the biggest shakeup since activist shareholder Starboard Value set its sights on the pizza company. In a statement, Chairman Jeff …

Bloomberg Premium shoemaker Cole Haan, currently owned by private equity, is preparing for an initial public offering, following robust sales and profit growth. “Our management team is confident in the opportunities we have created for the Cole Haan brand and our business globally,” Chief Executive Officer Jack Boys said in a statement. “Based on the momentum we have generated in …

Bloomberg Beyond Meat Inc has another high-profile fast-food partner — KFC — to help the faux meat maker tackle a plant-based substitute for a different major protein source: chicken. KFC, owned by Yum! Brands Inc, will test plant-based nuggets and boneless wings at one of its Atlanta restaurants on Tuesday. The location will offer complimentary samples to customers who purchase …

Bloomberg Home furnishing giant Ikea has seen sales growth soften for three consecutive years in China as the country grapples with a slowing economy and waning consumer confidence caused by a grinding trade conflict with the US. Still, the Swedish retailer is pressing ahead with $1.4 billion of investment in the next 12 months and opening four more stores in …

Bloomberg The union behind the “Fight For $15” campaign that successfully raised the floor for low-wage work in much of the US has a new target: Highway rest stops, where government ownership and oversight could help establish labour’s long-sought foothold in fast food. Fast-food workers at several Connecticut highway rest stops will announce wage theft claims against several companies including …

Bloomberg Target Corp will create a dedicated section for Walt Disney Co products inside some of its stores just in time for the holidays, looking to boost sales of everything from dolls to lightsabers. The discount retailer will open Disney-themed sections in 25 stores in early October, with another 40 coming within the next year, the companies said in a …

Bloomberg Walmart Inc isn’t the only corporation that has seen its Tesla Inc solar panels catch fire. Amazon.com Inc said a June 2018 blaze on the roof of one of its warehouses in Redlands, California, involved a solar panel system that Tesla’s SolarCity division had installed. The Seattle-based retail giant said by email that it has since taken steps to …

Bloomberg Kraft Heinz Co could end up as one of the biggest junk issuers if it doesn’t take its debt load by mid-2021. S&P Global Ratings said it could cut the packaged-food company to speculative-grade if it doesn’t boost earnings, pay down some of its more than $30 billion of long-term debt, or both. Roughly two-thirds of those borrowings currently …