Accessories

Patchogue, N.Y. -- A storefront retail space in downtown Patchogue, New York, has secured leases totaling 7,400 sq. ft., according to North Plainfield, N.J.-based Levin Management.

The 23,000-sq.-ft. space at 35-71 South Ocean Ave. will feature sushi restaurant 360 Taiko Sushi & Lounge (4,900 sq. ft.) and apparel retailer Jeans Fashion (2,500 sq. ft.).

In conjunction with its new premium tween brand for girls called I Heart UGG, UGG Australia is planning to launch on July 14 a dedicated e-commerce site that will offer the entire product line called iheartugg.com. 

The line includes footwear, loungewear, accessories and handbags and will be available in the United States, Japan and China. The new brand, the company said, has been designed to not only tap into the tween market but also to foster enduring brand loyalty among customers. 

Vestis Retail Group, the parent company of Bob's Stores and Eastern Mountain Sports, has set the wheels in motion to acquire Sport Chalet.

The acquisition will create one of the largest sporting goods retailers in the United States, with more than 150 stores and coverage on the East and West coasts. Sport Chalet will continue to operate stores under its existing brand name, and according to Vestis Retail Group, no store closures are planned.

Pittsburgh - American Eagle Outfitters Inc. is entering the U.K. with the opening of three new company-owned stores. The stores will be located in the Bluewater mall in Kent, England, as well as the Westfield Group’s London and Stratford City shopping centers in London, England.

The stores opening in the Westfield centers will include an aerie presence in shop-in-shop form. All of the stores are expected to open during fall 2014.

Nine West has integrated LivePerson’s LiveEngage digital engagement solution into the Demandware Commerce platform for its website.

According to LivePerson, the LiveEngage platform helps Nine West meet evolving consumer demands for a more seamless digital shopping journey, and has simultaneously improved the brand's customer reported satisfaction, increased incremental revenue and reduced support costs.

Nine West reported the following results four months after implementing LiveEngage:

New York — Handcrafted eyewear retailer, Dita, has leased a 1,300-sq.-ft. store at 273 Lafayette Street in SoHo. It will be Dita’s first Manhattan locations and its New York flagship. RKF represented Dita in the transaction, while The Lansco Corp. acted on behalf of the landlord, 157 Prince Street Associates.

New York -- Juicy Couture is closing its U.S. stores as it makes plans to debut a new retail store format in key high-traffic locations, including New York City, Los Angeles and Vancouver, in early 2015. The company expects to open 127 stores and in-store shops during the next five years in major cities across the globe.

Premium footwear, accessories and apparel brand Johnston & Murphy has selected Demandware to help it bolster its omnichannel capabilities.

Johnston & Murphy recently launched a new e-commerce site, www.johnstonmurphy.com, on Demandware. The brand plans to leverage the commerce platform to enable mobile optimized shopping experiences via responsive web design, and the integration of online and offline channels to provide customers with “buy anywhere, fulfill anywhere” capabilities.  

New York — Dear Rivington, a designer fashion boutique selling clothing, eyewear, pottery and jewelry, has signed a lease to relocate to a new location in the NoHo district of Manhattan’s Lower East Side. The 3,300-sq.-ft. store features 2,000 sq. ft. of ground floor space with high ceilings and a skylight. The 1,300-sq.-ft. lower level has also been fitted out for retail and not just storage.

The distinctive storefront features oversized barn style doors that give the store a private feel.