This week also saw a highly undramatic object cause drama and the happily undramatic return of the two NASA astronauts who had an unexpected stay on the International Space Station.

Once a formidable fast-fashion mall staple, Forever 21 has filed for bankruptcy. The retailer has been a shell of its former self since it first filed for bankruptcy in 2019.

(Image credit: Mark Lennihan)

The department store chain, founded in 1670, can't pay its debts and says the pandemic, inflation and now trade tensions have hurt its financial future.

(Image credit: Adrian Wyld/AP)

Joann, the major national retailer of fabric and craft supplies, is going out of business and closing all of its roughly 800 stores. What does that mean for professionals who relied on the chain?

(Image credit: Gene J. Puskar)

The chain that laid claim to celebrations across America is now sweeping up the confetti and turning off the lights. Two bankruptcies failed to get its debt in order.

The two high-end department stores hope together they would wield more power to counter luxury brands, which increasingly flex their muscles over retailers.

(Image credit: Lynne Sladky)

The rural lifestyle retailer, with stores in 49 states, says it will withdraw its carbon emissions goals, cut its DEI roles and stop sponsoring Pride events after an online outcry from conservatives.

(Image credit: Gene J. Puskar)

With electronic shelf labels, prices can change up to six times a minute. Grocers including Walmart, Whole Foods and Schnucks are adopting them.

(Image credit: Patrick T. Fallon)