Apparel

Amsterdam, Netherlands – Dutch specialty fashion retailer Mexx, which operates 800 stores across 55 countries, has retained Gordon Brothers Group and Hilco Merchant Resources to begin going-out-of-business sales at all Mexx retail locations throughout Canada. Mexx currently operates 95 retail locations across Canada.    

Franklin, Tenn. - Vendors are leaving billions on the table because they forget to market to the chief marketing officer (CMO) rather than just the CIO and IT department.  According to a new study from IHL Group, “Hidden Treasure – The CMO’s Budget in Retail,” in 2015, the amount of IT purchased through the CMO’s budget will amount to $7.5 billion in North America.  

Greenwich, Connecticut - Family-owned and operated jeweler Betteridge’s is relocating to a new flagship position at 239 Greenwich Avenue -- a corner location that is now at the hub of activity and is considered one the crown jewels of Greenwich, Connecticut’s shopping destination.  

Washington, D.C. – Apparently, a lot of fraud artists will get their names on the “naughty list” this year. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF) 2014 Return Fraud Survey completed by loss prevention executives at 60 retail companies representing grocery, department, discount, specialty and small retailers, the industry will lose an estimated $10.9 billion to return fraud this year.   

Gainesville, Florida - Celebration Pointe, a 125-acre mixed-used development in the heart of Gainesville, has secured a $12 million State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) loan and $34 million in Community Development District (CDD) bonds. Celebration Pointe partner Ralph Conti made the announcement.  

With 2014 almost over, another holiday shopping season is drawing to a close. The looming question on everyone’s mind, of course, is whether holiday sales managed to live up to the (mostly) positive holiday forecasts from analysts and retail organizations.   

Finish Line CEO Glenn Lyon cited the company’s struggle to keep up with customer demand for new products even as the firm reported an increase in profitability for the third quarter.

The company reported an 11% improvement in net income during the third quarter, rising to $2.58 million from $2.32 million. Lower impairment and store closing charges, a slowed pace of growth in cost of sales, and an income tax benefit all helped spur the growth in profit.

Indianapolis – The Finish Line Inc. reported an 11% improvement in net income during the third quarter of fiscal 2014, rising to $2.58 million from $2.32 million. Lower impairment and store closing charges, a slowed pace of growth in cost of sales, and an income tax benefit all helped spur the growth in profit.   Consolidated net sales were $395.8 million, an increase of 9% from $364.45 million. Same-store sales rose 4.5%.