Apparel

Germantown, Tenn. - Trademark Property Co. has broken ground on the second phase of redevelopment at its Saddle Creek shopping center in Germantown, Tennessee, focusing on enhancements to the north side of the property. Combined with the initial phase, which is nearing completion, the redevelopment efforts will add approximately 25,000 sq. ft. of new retail space to the property.

Houston – Specialty retailer Charming Charlie is setting its sights beyond its North American store base. Charming Charlie opened the brand’s first locations outside of North America with two new retail stores in Dubai.   The stores, located at City Centre Mirdif and Ibn Battuta Mall, are operated by Apparel Group, Charming Charlie’s first international licensing partner, which has further growth planned for the brand in Qatar this year.   

Baltimore – Even a reduction in income taxes couldn’t fully offset the impact of rising expenses on profit at Under Armour during the second quarter of fiscal 2015. Net income decreased 17% to $15 million, compared with $18 million in the prior year's period.   The decline in net income came even as net revenues increased 29% to $784 million, compared with $610 million. Direct-to-consumer net revenues, which represented 32% of total net revenues for the second quarter, grew 33% year-over-year.

New York – In a consumer culture obsessed with nostalgic “throwbacks,” a retail brand from the not-too-distant past is coming back. Specialty apparel brand Limited Too, which was consolidated into the Justice banner by then-parent company Tween Brands in 2009, is making a return.  

Framingham, Mass. – Off-price retailer T.J. Maxx provides “compare at” prices that tell shoppers how much cheaper an item is than it would be at a full-price department store, but how truthful are those comparisons?    According to a class action lawsuit brought against T.J. Maxx in San Francisco by two customers, Staci Chester and Daniel Friedman, “compare at” pricing leaves a lot of wiggle room for the retailer.  

Indianapolis - Mall operator Simon knows teen girls are a key part of its consumer base, and is courting them this summer. Simon and Teen Vogue are partnering to present the fourth annual Teen Vogue Back-to-School Saturdays (BTSS) omnichannel promotion.  

Toronto - Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) is capitalizing on 42 real estate assets. The retailer has closed a joint venture with Simon Property Group focused on credit tenant, net-leased and multi-tenanted retail buildings in the U.S. and internationally.   

In a classic case of “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em,” Neiman Marcus is deepening its relationship with an organization that could be viewed as a competitor.