Strategy

Every time a retailer files for bankruptcy I am reminded of a harshly appropriate comment Jay Leno made in a monologue years ago after an icon of American retailing succumbed to market forces.

Montgomery Ward (remember them?), a company with an illustrious history that had a tremendous influence on the evolution of the retail industry, filed for bankruptcy in 1997 and was later liquidated.

Forever 21 has joined the crowded fast fashion scene on New York City’s Fifth Avenue by opening a new 36,000 square foot flagship store.

The store is spread out over four floors and will carry Forever 21 Men, Forever 21+, F21 Contemporary, basics, denim and shoes.

The new flagship takes over the site of a former H&M store, which closed in December a few months after the opening of its own new flagship on 48th Street.

Starkville, Miss. -- Camgian Microsystems announced today the closing of a new contract to deploy Egburt into the largest fred’s Super Dollar franchise group in the U.S. to provide company personnel with real-time actionable intelligence through the monitoring of equipment health and customer foot traffic.

New York -- Aeropostale Inc. on Monday narrowed its fourth-quarter loss forecast on better than expected sales, margins, and expense management in January, and announced two executive appointments.  

Chicago -- Famed British toy retailer Hamleys is coming across the pond. The 255-year old company, famous for has retained JLL to facilitate a multiple store roll-out throughout the United States.

Canton, Mass. - Dunkin' Donuts is recruiting franchisees to develop an estimated 10 new Dunkin' Donuts restaurants throughout Birmingham, Alabama, and the surrounding areas. In addition, a number of existing operating restaurants may be available for purchase.

Currently there are 21 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants operating in Alabama.

New York -- In a surprise move, Kate Spade & Company announced it is closing all 19 of its lower-priced Kate Spade Saturday stores and all 12 of its Jack Spade menswear stores. Both brands will remain in the luxury company's portfolio, with Kate Spade Saturday being folded into Kate Spade, and Jack Spade being sold at other retailers and online. The company also announced a new joint venture to speed its growth in China, where it sees a long-term potential for 100 stores.

James Peters held key leadership roles at Office Depot, Staples and Ross Stores but now the veteran operator is in a new role at a company giving new meaning to e-commerce.

Peters was named president and COO at San Francisco-based Delivery Agent where he had served on the board since last October. Delivery Agent’s business model is to turn viewers into revenue generating customers for brand and media companies.