Apparel

New York City -- Juicy Couture’s store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan has been temporarily closed due to the discovery of bed bugs.

“Like other major retailers recently impacted by this issue, we are moving swiftly and aggressively to address the problem. We expect the store to re-open later this week,” the company said in a statement. “The people who shop and work at the store are our top priority and we are taking all necessary precautions.”

Hampstead, Md. -- Jos. A. Banks posted a profit of $12.6 million during the fiscal 2010 third quarter ended Oct. 30, compared with a profit of $11.7 million in the year age period. It was the 36th quarter out of the past 37 with earnings growth compared with prior year periods.

Revenue increased 7.4% to $173.3 million from $161.3 million a year ago. Same-store sales increased 3% in the quarter.

Both earnings and sales trailed analysts’ estimates.

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- Annual analysis released today from ForeSee Results suggests that retailers have reason to be cautiously optimistic about the upcoming holiday season. Customer satisfaction with online retailers on Cyber Monday was the same this year as last, 73.1 on the American Customer Satisfaction Index's 100-point scale. However, satisfaction throughout the 2010 Thanksgiving holiday week and weekend was higher this year than in 2009, which bodes well for retailers hoping to see increasing holiday revenues.

New York City - According to the Brand Keys Holiday Survey, released Tuesday, Amazon topped the marketing research consultancy’s list of the top 10 retailers based on customer visits.

Walmart and Apple tied for second, followed by Target, Zappos, Best Buy and Dell, Kohls, Overstock and QVC, Lands End and L.L. Bean, J.C. Penney, and Macy’s.

New York - BCBGMAXAZRIAGROUP, the $1 billion global fashion brand, has launched a new, fast-fashion store concept, Lola, targeted at young women (ages 16 to 26).  The 3,000-sq.-ft. store, has a cool, hip vibe and is designed as an urban studio apartment, complete with fireplace, daybed, spiral staircase,  and closet. Salvaged doors give the storefront a Lower East Side feel.

New York City - The Association for Retail Environments (A.R.E.) announced that its Retail Design Collective will be held Dec. 8-10, at 7 W New York, 7 W. 34th St. and at other major showrooms throughout New York City.

Conference sessions focus on visual merchandising and store design trends, and will feature retailers such as Harry Cunningham of Saks Fifth Avenue, Brad Lenz of Liz Claiborne, Diana Bernal of Van Cleef  Arpels Inc., Paul Olszewski of Macy's, Tom Davidson of The Food Emporium, and Lauren Shaw of Louis Vuitton North America.

New York City - West Hampstead, N.Y.-based construction firm Corcon and J.A. Stowell Construction, Inc. of California said Tuesday they have completed UGG Australia’s Madison Avenue flagship store in New York City.

The 4,613-sq.-ft. store was completed on October 28. J.A. Stowell Construction was the construction manager and owner representative for UGG Australia, Corcon served as general contractor, and Anthony Donnelly of VisualWorks, U.K. designed the new location.

Philadelphia - Monetate, which tests, targets, and personalizes websites, has renewed its contract with Canton, Mass.-based Casual Male Retail Group.
"Monetate continues to drive incremental revenue for us because of the exceptional testing and targeting features that it provides,” said Ric Della Bernarda, chief marketing officer and senior VP, Casual Male Retail Group. “With Monetate on our websites, we have the ability to deliver relevant and personalized content to all of our visitors, throughout their online shopping experience."

By Michael Haydock

The retail industry might just be the last bastion of the gut instinct.

In my 20 years working with apparel merchants, department stores and big box companies, I've seen bosses make bet-the-company decisions on little more than a "feeling." Retailing is that kind of a business - it's filled with wonderful visionaries who have an uncanny sixth sense for the nascent trend - or, the moment when a powerful trend is about to falter.