Accessories

Urban Outfitters is going against the smaller-is-better footprint trend and experimenting with larger-sized stores for its Anthropologie brand.

The retailer is testing four “ultimate experience” Anthropologie stores, ranging in size from 20,000 sq. ft. to 30,000 sq. ft., Women’s Wear Daily reported.

Anthropologie is offering customers what it calls the “ultimate Anthropologie experience” at its expanded store in Portland, Oregon.

The 25,000-plus-sq.ft. space features, among other things, 12 full-scale living, dining and bedroom settings, a home design center complete with stylists. and limited edition capsule collections.

It also features an extensive shoe selection with more than 300 styles, 800-plus bath, body and beauty items and an expanded selection of activewear.

Leading off-price apparel retailer Ross Stores has named long time merchant Bernie Brautigan to the role of president of merchandising.

Brautigan previously served as Ross Stores’ group executive vice president of merchandising since 2014. He will continue to report to Ross CEO Barbara Rentler in his new role and be responsible for the ladies apparel businesses, children's, shoes, and accessories.

Nordstrom has extended its special relationship with Hawaiians by opening a gem of a store in the Ala Moana Center in Honolulu.

The three-level, 186,000 square-foot store features new interior and exterior design concepts, a full-service restaurant and bar, cocktail lounge, new departments and an enhanced beauty shopping experience. Nordstrom has operated in Hawaii for 50 years and the new store is a replacement for a store the retailer opened at the other end of the mall just eight years ago.

Charming Charlie is expanding its Middle East footprint.

The specialty retailer has opened its first location in Qatar, at the Ezdan Mall in Doha. The 2,900-sq.-ft. store is operated by Apparel Group, Charming Charlie’s international licensing partner, which has further growth planned for the brand in the Middle East this year.

Sales at teen retailer The Buckle slowed down over the holiday quarter, as a steep decline in comps negatively affected revenue.

Bag, Borrow or Steal, a specialty online retailer that allows consumers to buy, rent and sell luxury handbags and accessories, is all about creating a sense of community.

Lululemon athletica and Athleta, a subsidiary of Gap Inc., are not new concepts. But they are part of one of fashion’s hottest trends: “athleisure.”

Specializing in trendy activewear designed for the gym and beyond, athleisure concepts are finding their way into all kinds of shopping destinations — giving lululemon and Athleta increasing competition. Here’s a rundown of some other retailers currently in the game:

Kansas City -- Taubman Centers and The Macerich Company announced a joint venture for Country Club Plaza location in Kansas City, Missouri from Highwoods Properties. The mixed-use retail and office property was purchased for $660 million cash, excluding transaction costs. Taubman and Macerich each own a 50% interest in the center.

DSW has a robust store expansion plan in the works to tap future penetration within the U.S. market this year.

"New store growth is an important and exciting piece of the DSW formula. It allows us to bring the brand to more communities and build relationships with new customers. More stores also enable us to provide additional customers with immediate access to our full assortment. We look forward to engaging with these new customers and helping them find the perfect shoe at the prefect price," said Valara Gee, VP Stores