Apparel

Kohl’s lowers outlook as e-comm advances
Weaker than expected third quarter sales prompted Kohl’s to lower its profit forecast while noting that e-commerce sales increase 30%.

The company held an investor conference on Oct. 29 and said third quarter sales were expected to decline 1.4% due to softer than expected sales during October. The top line weakness caused the company to confirm that profits would be at the lower end of a previously forecast range of $4.05 to $4.45 a share.
Nordstrom tops luxury ranking list
America’s most affluent prefer Nordstrom’s brand of omnichannel retail over some of the biggest luxury retailers out there, according to a new study.

An organization called the Luxury Institute released findings from its 2015 Luxury Multichannel Engagement Index (LMEI) survey of large multi-brand retailers. Responders had a minimum annual income of $150,000, an average annual income of $318,000 and an average net worth of $3.1 million.

Blue Nile shines with new designers

Blue Nile, the original online jeweler, has added a couple of gems to its roster with Sloane Street and Lisa Jenks joining the ranks of the Blue Nile Designer Collective.
Transformation costs impact Coach Q3 net income

New York –- Organizational efficiency costs and charges related to store closures and upgrades that are part of an ongoing transformation plan negatively impacted net income reported by Coach Inc. during the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Net income totaled $146 million, down 33% from $218 million in the same quarter the previous fiscal year.
Survey: Health/beauty retailers have fewest online navigation attributes

Austin, Texas -- The platform behind today’s most inspiring shopping experiences today announced the results of a recent study based on an audit of 220 websites across 10 retail segments to identify benchmarks for how online shoppers are able to navigate in the digital realm. The study compared those results to existing attribute categories of current Edgecase retailers in the same categories to show the current disconnects in navigation standards.
Macy’s and Bloomingdale's stores to open in Abu Dhabi in 2018

Cincinnati -- Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s stores plan to open in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2018 as part of a strategic partnership with Al Tayer Group LLC, a UAE-based company with diversified businesses. This will be Macy’s first international store location and the second for Bloomingdale’s.
Kohl’s forecasts Q3 same-sales drop, e-commerce gain

Menomonee Falls, Wis. - Kohl’s Corp. expects same-store sales to decrease 1.4% in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. The company said October sales have been softer than the balance of the quarter. Geographically, Kohl’s expects sales to be consistent across all regions. E-commerce sales are expected to increase more than 30%. By line of business, the company expects children’s to report same-store sales increases for the quarter.
Report: Wal-Mart apologizes for online ‘fat girl’ costumes

Bentonville, Ark. –- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has reportedly apologized for offering Halloween outfits labeled as “fat girl” costumes on its e-commerce site. According to Bloomberg, Wal-Mart issued the apology after receiving social media criticism from offended consumers.
Rally House opens at Old Town Center in Dallas

Dallas -– Specialty sports retailer Rally House has signed a 10-year lease for a 6,200-sq.-ft. store location at Old Town Shopping Center in Dallas. Westwood Financial Corp. (WFC), a privately held owner-operators of U.S. retail properties, operates the center.
Elizabeth Allen joins UCR as VP

Dallas - UCR Dallas, a retail real estate services provider, has named Elizabeth Nabholtz Allen as VP who will specialize in retail project leasing. Allen has extensive experience in property representation. Prior to joining UCR, Elizabeth was the director of leasing for RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust for Texas, where she directed leasing for more than 5 million sq. ft.
Maidenform finds fit with glamour girl

Micaela Erlanger, a stylist to the stars and a self-proclaimed "vintage-a-holic, and glamour girl," has joined the Maidenform brand as an ambassador and spokesperson through March 2015.

Erlanger will guide the Maidenform customer, offering tips, picks and styling insight via the brand's website and social media platforms.
Harvard Business Review: And the best-performing CEO is…

New York -- Harvard Business Review released its annual list of the 100 best-performing CEOs in the world, and heading up the list is Amazon chief Jeff Bezos.