Apparel

Columbia Sportswear’s retail aspirations arrived in South Florida in the form of a new 5,600-sq.-ft. concept store called Performance Fishing Gear.

This back-to-school season Old Navy is asking kids at Boys & Girls Clubs around the country what it means to be #Unlimited.

Las Vegas -- Those familiar blue composite panels are going up in Las Vegas.

Ikea announced that steel framing has progressed far enough that installation of the iconic blue panels has begun on its future Las Vegas store. Installing the blue panels is a construction milestone that ensures the 351,000-sq.-ft. store will open summer 2016, and it reflects the unique architectural design for which Ikea stores are known worldwide.

New York -- A survey released Monday is in line with other reports that consumers do not plan to spend more this year on back-to-school supplies than they did last year. The survey also lists the 10 most popular retail brands for back-to-school purchases.

Target ranks as the most popular retail brand for back-to-school purchases, just ahead of Walmart, in the 21st annual Back-to-School survey by Brand Keys, the New York-based brand loyalty and emotional engagement research consultancy. Macy’s, CVS and Best Buy round out the top five.

Beloit, Wis. – Athletic brand Nike, which first rose to dominance with the ascent of longtime spokesperson Michael Jordan as an NBA superstar in the early 1990s, is maintaining its leading position with consumers.

According to a new survey of 1,000 U.S. adults by online deal site FatWallet, a leading 41% of kids are asking for Nike products this back-to-school season.

Nordstrom and J. Crew Group are expanding a merchandising partnership.

Seattle - Nordstrom and J. Crew Group are expanding a merchandising partnership.

Nordstrom is doubling the number of stores that will carry J. Crew’s Madewell brand of women’s apparel items and accessories.

The department store retailer plans to expand the number of stores carrying Madewell products from 15 to 30 by the end of July, with Nordstrom.com also offering Madewell goods. Nordstrom is the only U.S. retailer to sell a broad assortment of Madewell merchandise, outside of Madewell stores.

New York – Worthy.com, an online marketplace for used luxury goods, has named Gil Gadot as executive VP and COO.

Gadot joins Worthy with more than 20 years of experience in finance and technology.