Corporate Governance

At Home reported a strong first quarter, helped by the addition of 23 new stores the chain opened in the past 12 months — and there are more on the way.   

J.C. Penney is determined to become college-bound co-eds’ shopping destination for all of their dorm room needs.  

Duluth Trading Company continues to grow its sales and store footprint.    The retailer of men’s and women’s workwear, casual clothing, and accessories reported that net sales increased 21.9% to $83.7 million in the quarter ended April 30, up from $68.6 million in the prior-year first quarter. It was the company's 29th consecutive quarter of increased net sales year-over-year.  

Complexities associated with online shipping and fulfillment are eating into retailers’ profitability.   This was according to “Strategies for Agile, Profitable and Secure Omnichannel Execution.” The report, from Radial, revealed that more than 55% of customers are using multiple channels, such as online and mobile to shop.  

It’s closing time for Bebe Stores.   The struggling apparel retailer said on Wednesday, June 7, that it reached agreement with substantially all of its retail store landlords to terminate their existing leases. The cost to terminate the leases is estimated to be approximately $65 million.  

In reaction to changes that have transpired in the adjoining East Cambridge and Kendall Square neighborhoods since it debuted in 1990, CambridgeSide Galleria outside of Boston is undergoing a $30 million makeover.   Owner New England Development calls it a “repositioning” that will see the “Galleria” tag dropped from the title of the center, one of the first regional enclosed malls erected in an urban setting. It is the centerpiece of a 1.2-million-sq.-ft. mixed-use project that includes office space and a hotel.

Even Amazon isn’t immune to the occasional online hiccup.   Pages failed to load across the online store on Wednesday, June 7. When they did, customers viewed a 503 error message, along with snippets from the online retailer’s “Meet the Dogs of Amazon” page, which included photos and stats of the company’s canines, according to The Verge.