Apparel

The Limited helped changed the way women shop for apparel 50 years ago and this month it is commemorating the occasion with digitally inspired promotions the company’s founders could never have imagined.

Toronto -- A "Sears Hometown" store owner in Woodstock, Ontario (Canada), has launched a class action lawsuit on behalf of approximately 260 Sears Hometown dealers across Canada against Sears Canada and its American affiliate, Sears. Both are subsidiaries of Sears Holding Corp.

The lawsuit alleges that Sears lowered dealers' commissions, reduced advertising for local stores and bypassed the franchises by selling directly to customers who are located within their markets.

Las Vegas -- Apparel retailer Bettie Page, which specializes in contemporary designs inspired by the 1940's and 50's, has made its Nashville debut. It is the company’s 15th location to date.

"Our newest Bettie Page boutique is situated in the heart of Nashville," said Jan Glaser, co-CEO, Tatyana Designs, parent company of Bettie Page.

One unique feature of the Nashville store is that the company has leased the entire 14,000-sq.-ft. building.

BALTIMORE — Under Armour is going back to its roots — grassroots football, that is — in its latest global marketing campaign. Things kick off with a 60-second spot called, "Ready for August," which will serve as the centerpiece of phase two of the I Will campaign.

The commercial will be broadcast July 15 on Fox during the 2013 MLB All-Star Game Home Run Derby, and is viewable on YouTube now.

New York -- Jones Group Inc. has tapped Citigroup Inc. to explore a possible sale, according to Reuters.
 
In April, Jones Group said that it would close 170 stores and cut 8% of its workforce after first-quarter profit was less than analysts’ estimates. The news comes just months after activist hedge fund

The company, whose brands include Stuart Weitzman, Jones New York, Easy Spirit, and Nine West, had a market value of about $1.2 billion as of July 5.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation's president and CEO Matthew Shay and chief economist Jack Kleinhenz have issued a statement concerning June's employment numbers, released by the Department of Labor.

LEXINGTON, Mass. — The Keds division of footwear manufacturer Wolverine Worldwide is back for an encore performance with superstar Taylor Swift.

This fall, Keds will launch its second footwear collaboration with seven-time Grammy award-winning, multi-platinum singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. The collection expands this season to 17 styles, offering a variety of prints, colors and finishes inspired by Swift.

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- CBL & Associates Properties has announced the acquisition of two Sears locations, one at CBL’s Fayette Mall in Lexington, Ky., and the other at CoolSprings Galleria in Nashville. Sears will continue to operate in both locations until closing dates have been finalized.

“We have plans to redevelop and expand both buildings to create space for new high-end specialty stores and restaurants,” said Stephen Lebovitz, CBL’s president and CEO.