Outside-The-Mall Retailers Defy Industry Gloom In The Amazon Era

The U.S. retail sector is looking just fine for 2019 — as long as it’s not inside a shopping mall. Shares of Target Corp. and Kohl’s Corp. jumped on Tuesday after both retailers gave optimistic profit projections for the current year. The companies, which traditionally occupy big-box locations in strip malls, are showing how to defend market share in the age of Amazon.com Inc., which continues to disrupt the industry. Target has introduced private brands and expanded its online capabilities with offers like expedited shipping and in-store pick-ups. Kohl’s, meanwhile, has embraced Amazon like no other retailer: Some of its stores serve as drop-off locations for returned goods purchased via the e-commerce company, while it also sells Amazon products like the Echo speaker. Best Buy Co. and Walmart Inc., two other big-box giants without a big mall presence, also impressed investors with results last month. Read more at Bloomberg.