Casual

When Blanklabel.com launched in 2009, it set out to redefine notions of custom-tailored menswear, long the purview of the luxury market, by offering bespoke garments at affordable department store prices.

The startup took things a step further by updating the custom concept with a very 21st century, crowdsourcing twist: It offered shoppers a hand in the design of the merchandise by allowing them to pick their own details — from the cut of a shirt to the lining of a collar.

Blank Label is now bringing the disciplines it h

Necessity is the predominant motivation behind shoe purchasing for men, and their brand loyalty is strong and steady, according to Men’s Footwear Brand Focus Study 2014, the latest report from global information provider, The NPD Group.

This attitude, however, shows signs of evolving, given that men are increasingly embracing fashion and newness in their footwear.

Seattle -- Nordstrom announced today the closing of its acquisition of Trunk Club, a leading personalized clothing service for men.
 
The company previously announced its proposed acquisition of Trunk Club by press release on July 31.

New York -- Teen apparel retailer PacSun is partnering with content creators from YouTube in a fun back-to-school marketing campaign. The campaign will feature YouTube stars from StyleHaul, an online community of YouTube subscribers dedicated to women’s fashion and beauty, AdWeek reported.

Secaucus, N.J. -- The Children's Place, Inc. reported a loss of $10.7 million in the quarter ended Aug. 2, compared to a loss of $23.6 million in the year-ago period. Sales edged up to $384.6 million, from $382.4 million for second quarter 2013.

Same-store sales increased 0.8%.

Chicago — Turkish fashion concept, SARAR, signed a lease at 111 West Washington Street in Chicago for 3,139 sq. ft. Mid-America Vice President Michael Wexler represented SARAR in the transaction. Danielle Rudas and John Vance of Stone Real Estate represented the landlord.

This will be SARAR’s third location in Illinois. The new location is expected to open in fall 2014. 

Atlanta -- Country Club Prep, an e-commerce retailer for preppy apparel, is hosting the grand opening of its first brick-and-mortar store in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Aug. 23. Launched from a basement in 2012 by two former attorneys Matt Watson and Stephen Glasgow, the concept will launch its brick-and-mortar presence at the University of Virginia.

New York -- Dick’s Sporting Goods reported second quarter net income of $69.5 million, below expectations, compared to $84.2 million the prior year. Its results included a $20.4 million charge related to restructuring of the company’s golf business,

The retailer reported $1.7 billion in revenue, up 10.3% from the same period last year and in line with estimates. E-commerce sales increased to 6.3% of sales, from 5.6% of sales the prior year.

New York -- Aeropostale announced that Julian R. Geiger has rejoined the company as CEO, effective immediately. He succeeds Thomas P. Johnson, a former Brooks Brother executive who was appointed to the top spot at Aeropostale after Geiger left his CEO post in 2010.

In 2011, Geiger was named president and CEO of Crumbs Bake Shop. He resigned from Crumbs at the end of December 2013, and rejoined the Aeropostale board in May. (Crumbs closed all its stores in July 2014.)

Philadelphia -- Urban Outfitters Inc. reported that profit for the second quarter dipped to $67.5 million, compared with $76.4 million last year.

Revenue rose to a record $811 million from $758.5 million, solidly beating analysts’ projections of $805 million in sales. Same-store sales increased 21% at Free People and 6% at the Anthropologie Group, and decreased 10% at Urban Outfitters. 

Urban Outfitters operates under the Anthropologie, Bhldn, Free People, Terrain and Urban Outfitters banners.