Apparel

A global report by Capgemini, a leading provider of consulting, technology and outsourcing services, claims that consumers consider social media a less important part of their customer journey — from awareness, through to post-sale activity — compared to two years ago.

Despite posting increases in consolidated net and comparable store sales, the Finish Line’s second-quarter results fell short of its expectations, thanks to softness in the specialty retailer’s basketball offering.

Despite the slowdown in basketball-related sales, the running-related sales increased in the mid-single digits, driven by casual and performance styles. Consolidated net sales were $466.9 million, an increase of 7.1% over the prior year period. Comparable store sales increased 1.5%.

Dodgeville, Wis. - Lands' End Business Outfitters has launched a new online customer shopping experience. The new website provides functionality that lets business customers do everything from seeing how their logo looks on a selected fabric to managing account information and accessing order history.

Foothills Ranch, Calif. -- The Wet Seal named Jon Kubo as executive VP and chief digital officer, a newly created position, effective Oct. 6. Kubo will oversee e-commerce, digital marketing and the information technology organization to integrate digital consumer experiences across all business touch points.

Seattle -- REI will open a nearly 30,000-sq.-ft., two-level store in the Village at Westfield Topanga, Woodland Hills, California, in fall 2015.

"REI Topanga will join five other stores in serving more than 352,000 active REI members in the greater Los Angeles area. More than 62,000 active members reside within 15 miles of the new store.

Dublin, Calif. - Ross Dress for Less will open two new stores in the California Central Valley on Oct. 11. The stores are located in Bakersfield Plaza in Bakersfield and the Delano Marketplace in Delano.  

These new openings are part of the retailer’s 2014 expansion program, totaling approximately 75 new locations during the year. 

Dublin, Calif. – DD’s Discounts, a division of Ross Stores Inc. will open its first store in Oklahoma, on Sept. 27. The store is located in the Windsor Hills Center in Oklahoma City.  

Including this new location, DD’s Discounts will operate more than 150 locations in 15 states and is on schedule to complete its expansion plan to open approximately 20 locations in 2014.

Northbrook, Ill. - Pine Tree Commercial Realty LLC has acquired Riverbend Marketplace, a regional shopping center located in Asheville, North Carolina, in partnership with Wanxiang America Real Estate Group. The 142,617-sq.-ft. shopping center is shadow-anchored by Walmart, anchored by Kohl’s and Petsmart, and features 110,715-sq.-ft. of national best-in-class retailers.

Fort Worth, Texas - Rice Management Company and Trademark Property Company have acquired a three-building, 193,000-sq.-ft. retail property portfolio in Rice Village, today collectively named the Village Arcade. Trademark and Rice plan to completely revitalize the properties by significantly upgrading the merchandising mix, facades and site amenities and considering a rebranding.

Toronto -- Sears Canada Inc. announced that Douglas C. Campbell, president and CEO, intends to resign and return to the United States by yearend for “personal family” issues. Campbell, formerly COO of Sears Canada, was appointed to the top spot in September 2013, after former head Calvin McDonald quit.  

Campbell was charged with turning around a struggling chain, which has seen eight years of falling sales.