Apparel

As of August 31, 16 retailers have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2017. Four of those sixteen retailers are filing for “Chapter 22”, meaning this is their second time declaring bankruptcy. Chapter 22 cases show that the first bankruptcy failed and that the firm and its advisors were too optimistic regarding the firm’s viability out of bankruptcy. The chart below summarizes the four Chapter 22 filings over the past year:  

Chase Properties has acquired North Point Shopping Center in Joplin, Missouri, from Kimco Realty Corp.

Suistudio specializes in suits — but it's not dressing men.    Based in the Netherlands, the online women's apparel retailer is set to open its first U.S. store at the end of October, in New York City. The merchandise mix will emphasize no-fuss silhouettes that promise an "impeccable" fit and put a modern twist on the notion of power suiting — with in-store, while-you-wait tailoring available. In addition to suits, the mix includes shirts, dresses, and evening wear.   

Nordstrom has unveiled its new retail concept, Nordstrom Local.     Located in West Hollywood, Calif., the 3,000-sq.-ft. store offers all sorts of services, including on-site tailoring, personal stylists, buy-online-pickup-in-store, manicures — but has no dedicated inventory. Eight fitting rooms (associates can transfer requested merchandise from Nordstrom stores or its website to Nordstrom Local for try on) surround a central meeting space.  

A New England-based retailer that has the distinction of being the first curtain catalog company is closing up shop.    Shareholders of The Fitzpatrick Companies, whose subsidiaries include Country Curtains, voted Wednesday to liquidate the 61-year-old business. Country Curtains will begin liquidating operations immediately, and a going-out-of-business sale will be launched in its 19 retail stores (and website) starting on Oct. 5. The stores will close by the end of the year.  

A new women's apparel store has made its debut in Chicago.    Marcus Lemonis Fashion Group, which is owned by Marcus Lemonis, star of CNBC hit reality series “The Profit,” CEO of Camping World and all-around retail entrepreneur, has opened Marcus, on Chicago's Gold Coast. Additional locations are expected to open within the next six months in Aspen, Col.; Hinsdale, Ill., and New York City.   

Fiorucci is back — and it hasn't lost its cheeky, irreverent attitude.   The brand, which acquired cult status and flourished throughout the 1970s and 1980s before going into a slow decline, was relaunched earlier this year with a new website, new fashions and pop-ups in Barneys New York and Selfridges (London). Capping off its comeback, Fiorucci has opened a 5,000-sq-ft. flagship in London's SoHo neighborhood. A New York City location is planned for 2018.   

Amazon’s newest acquisition could give a boost to the company’s fashion category — including its growing private-label apparel business.    The online giant has acquired Body Labs, a 3D scanning platform that uses artificial intelligence, computer vision, and body modeling to accurately create an avatar-like image of a customer’s dimensions. The 3D platform provider announced the news on its website.  

Uniqlo is opening a shop in one of the nation's most historic train stations.    The retailer will open its newest U.S. outpost on Oct. 10, at Union Station in Washington, D.C. It will be located on the main level, adjacent to Amtrak ticketing, and will open at 7 a.m. during the week to serve morning commuters.  

Nordstrom opened the doors on Tuesday to its newest full-line store, one that includes new store design concepts and services.