Apparel

The largest U.S. chain dedicated to recreational vehicles is acquiring a new company.   Camping World Holdings announced that it will purchase TheHouse.com, an online retailer specializing in bikes, sailboards, skateboards, wakeboards, snowboards and outdoor gear. Both companies will maintain distinct brands, with Camping World focusing on the outdoor camping and RV industry, and TheHouse.com continuing to provide its offering to shoppers with active outdoor lifestyles.  

Amazon unveiled another private-label collection.   The online giant quietly introduced its new private label shoe and handbag line on Tuesday. The collection, which is called The Fix, comprises trendy designs, including satin slides, colorful sneakers and mules, studded flats, and floral-embellished boots, among other looks, according to Footwear News.  

The import tax proposal has officially been removed from the tax reform plan — which is welcome news for retailers across the industry.   On Thursday, congressional and administration leaders announced they would remove the Border Adjustment Tax (BAT) from consideration, and announced an outline for comprehensive tax reform. The BAT provision would have ended importers’ ability to deduct the cost of merchandise purchased from other countries.   

Parents are pulling back on their back-to-school spending, and making “essential” school supplies their top priorities.    This was according to a new survey from Ebates and global internet services company Rakuten. The study, which was conducted online by Propeller Insights in June 2017, tapped 1,001 adults and 500 teens.  

Investors at the nation’s largest rent-to-own company are their losing patience.   Activist hedge fund Marcato Capital Management LP demanded in a letter on Tuesday, July 25, that Rent-A-Center start the process of selling itself. If the company doesn’t, the hedge fund threatened to throw out board members up for re-election at next year's annual meeting, according to Reuters.  

Less than three years after opening stores across the pond, American Eagle Outfitters is closing up shop in the United Kingdom.   The specialty retailer operates three stores in the U.K. It has already closed one location, and is winding down operations at its remaining two stores, as well as its British e-commerce site, according to the Telegraph.  

A casual clothing and workwear retailer has ended its hunt for a new finance chief.   Duluth Holdings has appointed Dave Loretta as senior VP and CFO. Loretta will succeed retiring CFO Mark DeOrio.   Prior to joining Duluth Trading, Loretta launched and operated his own company, Pacific Time, LLC, a unique food and beverage business, from 2014 to 2016. Prior to managing his own firm, Loretta held various roles at Nordstrom.  

Dunhill Partners has acquired The Center at Pearland Parkway in Houston, which houses T.J. Maxx and Ross Dress for Less and is shadow-anchored by an HEB grocery store. Seller Stream Realty Partners did not disclose the sale price.   "Due to the ideal spacing between the two closest major retail nodes, the Center at Pearland Parkway offers tenants the ability to capture this under-served community with limited competition," said Stream managing director Mark Sondock.  

Bourn Companies has broken ground at a retail center on Tucson’s south side that could eventually add 600,000-sq.-ft. of retail space to the city.   About 220,000-sq.-ft. of that space is taking shape and expected to be completed by the end of the year at Fashion Park Shopping Center, located on Irvington Road at the intersection of Interstate 19. Complete build-out is expected by 2020.  

Michael Kors expects its newest acquisition to give it a stronger hold in the luxury sector.   The brand, which built its reputation on lines of high-end apparel, handbags, shoes and fashion accessories, has acquired luxury shoemaker Jimmy Choo for approximately $1.350 billion. The transaction, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2017, has been approved by the boards of directors of both Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo.