Apparel

Personalization, localization, interaction, “limited edition” retail and store experience. These are the top priorities — to varying degrees — for retailers as they look to bridge the divide between online and offline retail in the physical space. Here’s a look at how it plays out in three new stores:

Oakley, a wholly owned subsidiary of Luxottica Group, the world’s largest eyewear company, is looking to take its performance-driven, namesake brand to the next level. On the heels of its first global marketing initiative, the company has opened a state-of-the-art flagship on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

Unlike most consumers, the retail industry doesn’t take a holiday in the summer. As we head into July, three very different retail companies are very much in the news. One has the industry all abuzz over who will be its next chief, while another has launched a pioneering employee initiative. And the newly appointed chief of the third wants to turn a cult L.A. brand into a global powerhouse. I’m fascinated by all three:

•  Target: At press time, there is no clear front-runner to replace ousted CEO Gregg Steinhafel.

Sausalito, Calif. - Retailers dominated a list of the worst companies in the U.S. to work, taking eight of the top 11 spots. According to a report from corporate review site Glassdoor.com, Books-A-Million is the worst company to work for in the U.S., with common employee complaints including low pay, high stress and limited promotion opportunities.

Sporting goods and apparel retailer Academy Sports + Outdoors has renewed multi-year contracts with Auburn University and the University of Alabama. The renewal means that it will continue to sell the universities’ licensed products in its 13 Alabama stores.
 
The retailer is currently an official sponsor of University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide and official sporting goods retailer for Auburn University’s Tigers, and has been working with the two universities for several years.
 

Anaheim, Calif. - Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. celebrated its inaugural "Golden State of Mind Day" on June 21, which was the first day of summer and the longest day of the year. PacSun ran a full, 20-hour day of events and activations across the U.S.

The #GSOMday hashtag was leveraged throughout the day on PacSun social channels, and all posts supporting GSOM Day are now featured on the PacSun website.

New York – Online luxury fashion and beauty retailer Net-A-Porter is launching sales of Google Glass on June 23, available to shoppers in the U.S. Net-A-Porter will be selling a limited number of optical and sunglass styles, to be sold as exclusive packages.

Each bundle includes Glass, a frame and shade, a mono earbud, and case for $1,800.

Philadelphia — Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust has completed the previously announced sale of South Mall in Allentown, Pennsylvania, for $23.6 million. Net of closing costs, settlement pro-rations and credits, proceeds from the transaction totaled approximately $23.1 million.

In addition, PREIT has entered into an Agreement of Sale to dispose of its two remaining non-core malls — Nittany Mall and North Hanover Mall.

New York -- Dov Charney, the ousted chairman and CEO of American Apparel Inc., is fighting back against his dismissal.

Retailer H&M showed off items from its summer fashion line with a summer camp-themed event in Brooklyn.

Following a preview of the fashion retailer, guests participated in postcard writing activities and played Ping-Pong, culminating in a performance by Zoe Kravitz’s band, Lolawolf, around a campfire.

"I think H&M does a really great job making clothes that are affordable but still fashionable and well made,” Kravitz said.