Formalwear

New York City -- RCS Real Estate Advisors said Tuesday it has been retained by bridal retailer Priscilla of Boston to facilitate the closing of its business.

According to Ivan L. Friedman, president and CEO of RCS, the company will facilitate the closing of all 20 Priscilla of Boston locations, effective Dec. 31, by negotiating cost-effective lease terminations or locating replacement tenants.

Priscilla of Boston announced its closing in early September.
 

New York City -- British fashion retailer L.K.Bennett, opened its third U.S. boutique, at The Shops at Riverside in Hackensack, N. J.

“We have over 100 stores in the UK. now — and in the long term weʼd like to have the same number of stores in the U.S.,” said Robert Bensoussan, CEO London.

NEW YORK — Gap executives reaffirmed its commitment to reducing square footage at home, aggressive international expansion and online growth during a presentation at Gap Global Creative Center in New York City. Gap also revealed that its online-only Piperlime division will explore a store concept next year and is testing men’s apparel.

New York City -- Jos. A. Bank Clothiers is teaming up with wedding and bridesmaid dressmaker/retailer Alfred Angelo, Investors Daily said.

Catalogs of Jos. A. Bank's tuxedos and matching accessories will be available at Alfred Angelo Signature’s bridal stores, while Alfred Angelo will be the exclusive wedding-gown partner for the women in Jos. A. Bank's customers' lives, according to the report.

The two will also team up on bridal shows, web content, blogs and social media.
 

Houston -- Baker Katz, X Team International partner and full-service commercial real estate brokerage firm in Houston, said it has completed the sale of one of Houston’s modern landmark properties formerly occupied by a men’s fine clothing retailer.  

The 14,000-sq.-ft. building was sold to Braun Enterprises for an undisclosed amount. It had been occupied for more than 61 years by Harolds, one of the area’s most well known men’s fine clothing retailers until the retailer closed its doors in August. 

NEW YORK — Express is taking its brand of specialty retail apparel north of the border this September with the opening of its first location in Canada at Fairview Mall in Toronto.  

Houston -- Increased sales across its brands helped drive The Men's Wearhouse’s second-quarter net income up nearly 33%, beating estimates.

The retailer earned $57.1 million for the fiscal quarter that ended July 30, up from $43 million in the same quarter last year.

Revenue increased 22% to $655.5 million. Men's Wearhouse said its purchase in 2010 of two British uniform and work-wear companies helped drive business.

Hampstead, Md. -- JoS. A. Bank Clothiers reported Wednesday that net income for the second quarter surged 24.7% to $20.6 million, compared with $16.5 million in the year-ago period.

Sales rose 22.4% to $230.7 million from $188.4 million. Same-store sales increased 14.7%.

Dedham, Mass. -- Chestnut Hill, Mass.-based WS Development said that J. Crew has opened at Legacy Place, located in Dedham, Mass.

The 6,000-sq.-ft. J.Crew is located near Sephora, Apple, and Williams-Sonoma and adjacent to Brooks Brothers, Johnston & Murphy and Orvis.

Opened in 2009, Legacy Place is anchored by Whole Foods Market, L.L. Bean, Showcase Cinema de Lux, and Kings.
 

Here’s a good idea for retailers looking to bring a sense of newness and a treasure hunt atmosphere to stores. Sign exclusive agreements with known and emerging designers or upscale brands during limited duration merchandising events as a means to achieve differentiation. Sound familiar?

Target pursued this concept more than a decade ago with general merchandise and earlier this year observed the 5th anniversary of the Go International designer program with a collection of products from past designers.