Apparel

Finish Line aims hashtag promo at women
Indianapolis -- The Finish Line Inc. is launching a digital initiative focused on female customers in step with the Nike Women’s Half Marathon San Francisco on Oct. 19. The retailer’s #FNLRunsSF campaign follows the training journeys of eight female fitness gurus, selected from across the country.
September retail sales show weakness
Washington, D.C. -- September retail sales, excluding automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants, decreased 0.1% seasonally adjusted month-to-month yet increased 4.6% unadjusted year-over-year. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), seasonal factors played a role, but the drop-off from August was worse than expected.

The White Company debuts stylish new store concept

London -- The White Company is showing off a new store concept that delivers a lifestyle-led experience modeled on a journey through the home. The 4,000 sq.ft. store, in Norwich (United Kingdom), builds on the British home goods retailer’s heritage to create an aspirational, curated retail experience. A feeling of accessible luxury permeates the welcoming space.
Urban Outfitters warns on Q3 earnings

Philadelphia –- Urban Outfitters Inc. is warning that continued negative same-store sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 may have an impact on quarterly earnings. The specialty apparel chain said declining same-store sales could deleverage gross profit margin for the third quarter at a rate greater than during the first half of the year, leading to dampened profits.
DSW plans omnichannel ‘Shoe Lover’ promo

Columbus, Ohio -– DSW Inc. is running a one-day promotion called “National Shoe Lover Day” on Saturday, Oct. 25. Each of the 428 DSW stores, plus dsw.com, will participate.
IHL: Epicor number one POS software vendor

Dublin, Calif. -- Epicor Software Corp., a provider of business software solutions for retail, manufacturing and distribution, has been named the number one vendor of POS software among the 200 leading specialty soft goods retailers and hard goods retailers for the fourth consecutive year in studies published by global research and advisory firm IHL Group. Epicor also was named a leader in the fast growing North American mobile POS software market, according to another new research report from IHL Group.
Fashionable father to lead dad’s day committee

Matthew Youngs, president of Ralph Lauren Childrenswear and Latin America has been named chairman of the National Father’s Day Committee.

In this new capacity, Youngs will collaborate with Dan Orwig, president and CEO of The Father’s Day/Mother’s Day Council, to oversee and execute the Annual Father of the Year Awards luncheon benefitting Save the Children’s U.S. Programs.
Under Armour nabs Neiman exec for board

Karen Katz, president and CEO of Neiman Marcus Group, has been appointed to the board of directors of Under Armour Inc.
New denim brand eyes thick thigh niche

With a name and a logo similar to another leading denim brand, Keirin Cut Jeans has turned to social media with a Kickstarter campaign to launch its new line.
ICSC: Holiday shopping to begin early; electronics to be most popular gift

New York -- Holiday shopping is going to start early this year, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers’ latest consumer tracking survey. About 35% of consumers have or will have started their holiday shopping by the end of October. Roughly three out of five shoppers will begin shopping by Thanksgiving this year, and by the end of the Thanksgiving weekend 86% will have started making purchases.
Mall at University Town Center opens in Florida

Bloomfield Hills, Mich. -- The Mall at University Town Center has opened in Sarasota, Fla. Featuring more than 100 retailers and restaurants, well over half of which are unique to the Sarasota-Manatee market. The Mall at UTC is the only newly built enclosed regional shopping center to open in the United States this year.
Gap approves $500 million share buyback program

San Francisco –- Gap Inc. has approved a new $500 million share repurchase authorization for the company’s common stock, in an effort to return excess cash to shareholders. The new $500 million repurchase program for Gap’s stock follows the company’s previous $1 billion share repurchase program.