Marketing

Redmond, Wash. – Microsoft Corp. is reportedly negotiating to open a new store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. According to the New York Daily News, the site is only a few blocks from Apple’s large “glass cube” store in New York.

Indianapolis -- Simon, in concert with joint-venture partner PREIT-Rubin, has broken ground on Gloucester Premium Outlets in Gloucester Township, New Jersey, a multi-million dollar upscale outlet destination that will bring more than 80 retailers to the southern New Jersey market.

Trace One, which provides solutions to branded and private-label goods companies, has added Chris Morrison as its chief marketing officer.
 
In his new position, Morrison will oversee the company’s global communications, product strategies and marketing. He’ll be a part of the rollout of new Trace One solutions and assist in expanding the company’s global reach.
 

Gap posted positive comps in July for the four-week period ended August 2, buoyed by sales at Banana Republic; but preliminary second-quarter results show that comparable store sales were flat compared to the same period last year.

Net sales in July increased 5% to $1.17 billion compared with net sales of $1.12 billion for the four-week period ended August 3. For the second quarter, Gap Inc.’s net sales increased 3% to $3.98 billion compared with $3.87 billion for the second quarter last year.

Columbus, Ohio -- DSW’s Affiliated Business Group division and Yellow Box Corporation have opened the first-ever Yellow Box Footwear store in California, at the Westfield Topanga Mall, in Canoga Park.

Founded in 1998, Yellow Box is a footwear wholesaler best known for its jeweled sandals for women. The Yellow Box retail concept made its debut in June, with a store in Miami.

Conway, Ark. -- The Central Landing retail development now underway in Conway, Arkansas, has added Dillard’s as a key anchor for its first phase, according Jim Wilson & Associates and partner the Conway Development Corp.

A massive new Academy Sports and Outdoors distribution center in Tennessee is expected to fuel the retailer’s growth for years to come when the 1.6 million-sq.-ft. facility opens in 2016.

A more cautious consumer led to weaker-than-anticipated traffic at Hibbett in the second quarter, prompting the sporting goods retailer to revise its earnings expectations for the full year.

Net sales for the 13-week period ended August 2 are expected to increase 4.2% to $194 million compared with $186.2 million for the year-ago period. Comparable store sales are expected to increase 0.1% for the quarter.