Apparel

San Diego - Internet presence management firm Red Door Interactive said Monday that Quiksilver has selected it to help launch its new line of girls’ apparel and accessories.

According to Red Door, the fashion and action sports brand will implement an internet presence strategy, developed and executed by Red Door, designed to drive awareness and traffic to Quiksilver’s flagship stores and niche retailers by individuals who will engage with the brand.

NEW YORK - Everlast Worldwide announced the signing of a long-term, direct-to-retail licensing deal with Sears Holdings. Through the agreement, Sears Holdings will have the U.S. license for the Everlast brand in their 850 Sears doors and the Everlast Sport brand in 1,325 Kmart doors as well as launching on sears.com and kmart.com. The long-term agreement gives Sears and Kmart the rights to the Everlast brand for apparel, footwear and accessories for men, women and kids. Sears and Kmart plan to launch the brand nationwide beginning in the spring of 2011.

WASHINGTON - Gap Inc. announced that President Obama intends to appoint Bobbi Silten, chief foundation officer at Gap Inc., to serve on the White House Council for Community Solutions. The Council will provide advice to the President on the best ways to mobilize citizens, nonprofits, businesses and government to work more effectively together to solve specific community needs.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. - Kohl's and Lagardère Active have announced plans to expand the Elle-branded contemporary lifestyle collection into fashion jewelry and beauty. The Elle Bijoux jewelry collection and Elle-branded line of cosmetics will be available exclusively in Kohl’s stores nationwide and Kohls.com beginning spring 2012.

QUINCY, Mass. - Retailer Work 'N Gear announced that it has teamed up with Sears and Kmart to launch America's first "store-within-a store" concept for healthcare fashions in select locations in six markets.

Called "Scrubology", the retail concept feature approximately 600 to 1,500 sq. ft. of space within Sears and Kmart stores, dedicated to the uniform needs of professionals who work as doctors, nurses, veterinarians, lab technicians and more.

According to a new survey from customer intelligence firm, Market Force Information, The Children's Place is consumers' top pick for young children's (10 and younger) apparel when the votes are indexed for the number of stores. The Children's Place earned 17% of the votes, while Gymboree ranked second (13%), and Kohl's and Carter's tied for third with 12%. For children 11 and older, Aeropostale was ranked favorite retailer with 17% of the votes, followed closely by Kohl's (16%) and then Old Navy (10%).

The willingness of discount-store shoppers to pay a premium for products with a celebrity connection will be put to the test next week when the new line of William Rast apparel hits Target stores. The line includes premium denim, leather and outerwear items with prices beginning at $16.99 and extending all the way to the department store territory of $199.99. The limited duration merchandising initiative is due to hit stores on Dec.19 and runs through Jan. 22.

BOSTON - A recent survey regarding memorable product launches in 2010 found that -- not surprisingly -- the Apple iPad secured the number-one spot. At number two was Windows 7, followed by Pretzel M&Ms at number three, Motorola Droid at number four and McDonald's Smoothies rounding out the top five.

Washington – After a solid start to the holiday season, the National Retail Federation announced that it is revising its holiday forecast to 3.3%, up from 2.3%. The upward revision is due to improvement in a variety of economic indicators including stock market gains, recent income growth, savings built up during the recession - all giving consumers the capacity to spend.  

Atlanta -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said Tuesday it has leased more than 23,500 sq. ft. of retail and restaurant space for seven new merchant locations in the Atlanta metro market.

According to Andre Koleszar, Regency Centers’ VP and regional officer, Atlanta-area retail business is getting stronger. “We’ve seen leasing activity recovering and retailers are attracted to shopping centers in prime locations with a merchandising mix that attracts upscale customers, ” he said.