Apparel

Littleton, Mass. - Dover Saddlery, Inc. reported a net loss of $543,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, virtually flat with the $538,000 net loss reported in the first quarter of the prior year. Total revenues for the first quarter of 2014 increased 9.4% to $19.7 million, from $18 million achieved in first quarter 2013.

Dover Saddlery plans on opening four to six new stores during fiscal 2014.

New York -- Xcel Brands announced the launch of the first Isaac Mizrahi New York e-commerce website, IsaacMizrahi.com.

Phase one of the user-friendly website will offer a wide array of Isaac Mizrahi New York product offerings including women's sportswear, dresses, footwear, handbags, eyewear, watches, tech accessories and fragrance. Additionally, a dedicated section of the website will consolidate the brand's recent social media feeds, providing a view into what inspires Isaac's style.

York, Pa. -- The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. has secured a 743,000-sq.-ft. lease for a direct-to-consumer fulfillment center in West Jefferson, Ohio, with E Smith Realty Partners. The new e-commerce facility is expected to be fully operational and begin shipping orders by spring 2015.

Freeport, Maine – L.L.Bean Inc. has appointed two new independent directors to its corporate board. The new board members are Matthew Moellering, executive VP and CEO of Express Inc., and Hugh Farrington, former president and CEO of Hannaford Brothers Company.

New York -- Ralph Lauren Corp. on Friday announced that Roger Farah, executive chairman, will retire at the end of May. He will remain on the company’s board until his terms expires in August. Farah, one of the retail industry’s most respected executives, is credited with turning Ralph Lauren into a global powerhouse.

Ralph Lauren’s executive vice chairman Roger Farah plans to leave the company at the end of the month. Farah will remain on the board of directors until the expiration of his term on the date of the company’s 2014 annual meeting of stockholders in August.

Bebe stores cited various factors, among them severe weather conditions that caused 136 store closures, the shuttering of 19 unproductive stores and the timing of Easter in late April, as contributing to its 17.2% net sales decrease in the third quarter from the prior-year quarter.  

Net sales dropped to $93.5 million from $112.9 million for the third quarter a year ago. Comparable store sales for the quarter decreased 5.7%. The sales decrease, according to the company, was also fueled by one fewer retail week in January in the current fiscal year.

Everyone loves pop-ups right? They’re exciting, they’re new, they’re fun and you have to hurry and get there while the getting’s good. Especially during the holidays. It’s the cool new merchandising trend.

But pop-ups are becoming, and will continue to become, more than just a trend. They are increasingly an important element of the marketing mix. I define the next phase of pop-up shops as focused physical presentations that integrate e-commerce. Here’s what’s coming next.

Customer acquisition

Gap had a good April in terms of sales, and a large part of the reason is the company’s Old Navy banner.

The company reported that April net sales increased 10% to $1.33 billion for the four-week period ended May 3, versus $1.21 billion last year. Gap’s comparable sales for April 2014 were up 9% versus a 7% increase last year.

For the first quarter so far, Gap’s net sales have increased 1% to $3.77 billion versus $3.73 billion last year. The company’s comparable sales so far have decreased 1% versus a 2% increase last year.

American Express has revealed the winners of its “Epic Everyday Getaway” contest. More than 7,000 Americans submitted snapshots and selfies along with a short story describing their favorite every moments with the aptly named hashtag #EveryDayMoments.

Each winner and a guest will get their own “VIP” treatment when they head to New York June 18-21, for a three-day trip that includes: