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Weak sales made for a rough second quarter for Office Depot.   The retailer said its profit fell to $24 million, or 5 cents a share, short of Wall Street expectations, compared with $210 million, or 38 cents a share, in the year-ago period. (The 2016 quarter included a $250 million fee paid by Staples to Office Depot after Staples abandoned its intent to acquire its rival.)  

Despite posting a loss for the second quarter, Wayfair’s brand continues to gain traction and square off against competitors.   For the second quarter ended June 30, the home decor and furnishings e-retailer narrowed its net loss to $38.9 million from $48.3 million in the same period a year ago. It also posted a smaller-than-expected second quarter loss of 26 cents per share, beating analyst expectations of 46 cents per share, according to FactSet.  

Amazon is the "best long-term growth story available to investors today." But don't expect the company to generate meaningful profits anytime soon.   That's according to MKM Partners managing director Rob Sanderson who, on Tuesday, raised his price target on the online giant's stock to $1,275 per share, up from $1,095.  

Online subscription beauty retailer Birchbox may be looking to sell itself.   The company has been discussing a potential sale with several retailers, including Walmart, reported Recode. If the discounter were to acquire Birchbox, it would be the chain's fifth e-commerce acquisition since last August.   

Move over Amazon — China's largest online player is looking to take on the world.    Now the largest e-commerce company in the world with $430 billion in gross merchandise volume, Alibaba is seeking to become a global company as well with a goal of serving more than 2 billion shoppers, according to a new report by global think tank FGRT (Fung Global Retail & Technology).  

Ralph Lauren starts its new fiscal year in much the same way as it ended the last one: with sales lines splashed with red ink to indicate the severe declines across most divisions of the company. Some of this would be excusable if the iconic brand were at the start of a journey of reinvention, but this comes after multiple attempts to get the firm back on track - most of which have proved to be fruitless.  

Ralph Lauren Corp. posted better-than-expected results for its first quarter as it kept tight control on its inventory and promotions. But despite the company's efforts at reinvention, sales dropped 13.2%.   

The nation's second largest drugstore chain by store count posted a higher-than-expected quarterly profit amid stronger demand for its pharmacy benefits management business.    CVS’ net income rose 18.8% to $1.1 billion in the second quarter, ended June 30. Net revenues rose 4.5% to $45.7 billion, with a 9.5% increase in revenue in it pharmacy services segment, which includes its pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) business and specialty pharmacy services.  

The retail industry is actually in better shape than some of today's headlines may lead folks to believe.    "Distressed [retail] names are growing, but still a small part of our rated universe," Moody's analyst Christina Boni told CNBC. "The broader industry remains fundamentally healthy."   Dollar stores, home-improvement chains, convenience stores and auto-parts retailers are among the leaders of the pack, according to the report.   

Hunter, best known for its signature rain boots, is expanding its fledgling retail footprint.   The iconic British brand will make its North American freestanding retail debut in October, at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto.