Strategy

H&M is finally tackling the online market, and plans to launch an e-commerce site in the U.S. in August.

The timing of the move for a brand synonymous with affordable fashion is opportune because it coincides with the heart of the back-to-school shopping season and sets the stage for the company to drive online sales during the holiday season.

Fremont, Calif. -- Men’s Wearhouse announced Wednesday that it has fired its founder and executive chairman George Zimmer; no reason was given for the sudden move.

NORWOOD, Mass. — Hot Wheels has entered into a licensing agreement with Toy State, a leading manufacturer of licensed and highly stylized lights-and-sound toy vehicles. 

The agreement, which runs through 2016, gives Toy State the green light to design and build a new line of high-octane custom versions of Hot Wheels remote-controlled and lights-and-sound toys. 

Irvine, Calif. – European private label fashion brand is entering the U.S. e-commerce arena with the launch of a new office and website in the U.S. The site will offer leather goods, handbags and accessories at up to an 80% discount.

Eastside specializes in having fashion and design professionals analyze the market and then select materials and trends to create private-label goods and accessories.

NEW YORK — The Estée Lauder Companies has appointed Michael O’Hare as the company’s EVP, global human resources. O’Hare will report jointly to executive chair William P. Lauder and president and CEO Fabrizio Freda.

New York -- Douglas Elliman’s Retail Group has won exclusive rights to lease a 25,000-sq.-ft., nine-building portfolio in Harlem.

Five of the buildings are on a central transverse at 135th Street, between Adam Clayton Powell and Frederick Douglass Boulevards, one is on Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. and three are on the revitalized Frederick Douglass Blvd. Store sizes range from 500 to 5,000 sq. ft.

Camp Hill, Pa. — Rite Aid is offering to buy back $810 million worth of debt while increasing the amount of a new bond sale announced Tuesday, the retail pharmacy chain said.

Rite Aid said it would buy back all of its $810 million worth of 9.5% senior notes due 2017. The company also said it would increase the $400 million offering of 6.75% senior notes due 2021 by another $410 million, for a total of $810 million, as part of a debt-refinancing plan.

Gerald Evans was named chief operating officer at HanesBrands after serving as co-COO since 2011.