Corporate Governance

Hollister Co. is reviving its intimates brand.   The retailer, a division of Abercrombie & Fitch Co., is reintroducing its Gilly Hicks line of intimates, loungewear and swimwear. Gilly product can now be purchased in all of Hollister’s U.S. stores and globally online. Hollister plans to open Gilly in-store shops in selection locations “that will provide the customer a unique Gilly Hicks brand experience.”  

The CEO of embattled Gymboree Corp. is stepping down.    The children’s apparel retailer said that Mark Breitbard will step down as chief executive once a successor has been named. He will assume the role of chairman of the board, effective February 1, 2017.  

Ulta Beauty is launching a new holding company.   On Sunday, Jan. 29, the beginning of the company’s new fiscal year, the retailer will form a new holding company, Ulta Beauty Inc. “Business operations will not change, and the primary purpose of the reorganization is to create a more efficient corporate structure,” the company said.    All outstanding shares of common stock will automatically convert, and the stock will continue to trade under the "ULTA" ticker. 

Finish Line is cutting its losses related to its specialty running gear unit.   The sportswear retailer has sold its JackRabbit specialty running store division to CriticalPoint Capital LLC, a Los Angeles-based private investment firm.   

It looks like it’s curtain time for The Wet Seal.   The struggling teen retailer is closing its 171 stores, along with its headquarters in Irvine, Calif., after being unable to obtain the necessary cash infusion or find a buyer, according to several media reports.        

Starbucks posted disappointing sales growth for its first quarter, citing “a challenging environment for restaurant retailers overall.”   The coffee giant reported that its consolidated net revenues increased 7% in the quarter, ended January 1, 2017, to $5.73 billion, less than analysts had expected.  

A veteran retail merchandiser is leaving Hudson’s Bay to join Stein Mart.   The off-price announced that MaryAnne Morin will join Stein Mart as president, effective Feb. 6, with responsibility for merchandising and marketing.      

PayPal credits partnerships for its revenue increase during the fourth quarter, as well as throughout 2016.   The digital payments company reported a 17% jump in revenue to $2.981 billion for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2016. During this timeframe, PayPal also added 5.4 million active customer accounts; and 1.8 billion payment transactions, an increase of 23%. The company also reported $99 billion in total payment volume (TPV), up 22%.  

Design Within Reach has opened a store in Portland, Ore., in an historic building that dates back to the end of the 19th century.   The retailer opened in the city’s North Pearl District, in a circa 1890 two-story brick warehouse that originally served as a distribution center for pottery and housewares.   "We're thrilled to be a part of the vibrant, evolving Pearl District and the opportunity to support the preservation of this historic building," says DWR president John McPhee. 

Eager for more control of how its products are shipped, Amazon is now organizing oceanic shipments.