Apparel

Indian fashion retailer personalizes experience with cognitive learning
Fashion retailer abof is breaking new ground by leveraging machine learning and natural language to better service its online shoppers. Aditya Birla Online Fashion (abof) sells apparel, footwear and accessories for men and women, and has a strong millennial consumer base. Knowing this customer segment expects a highly convenient and distinctive customer service, abof needed a way to personalize its online experience.
Kohl’s taps former Best Buy exec as chief marketer
Kohl’s Cos. has a new chief marketer. The retailer on Monday named former Best Buy marketing executive Greg Revelle as chief marketing officer. He will be responsible for Kohl’s marketing organization and overall marketing strategy, including its focus on driving customer engagement through analytics, enhancing the loyalty platform, accelerating customer traffic and continuing to build Kohl’s overall brand position. Revelle will report to Michelle Gass, chief merchandising and customer officer.

Regional sporting goods retailer acquired by former grocery CEO

Omega Sports has a new owner. The Greensboro, North Carolina-based sporting goods retailer has been acquired by Craig and Kristin Carlock. Effective immediately, Craig Carlock, former CEO of specialty grocer The Fresh Market, is Omega’s new CEO.
Valentino upgrades its digital presence

The luxury brand is about to embark on the “next era” of its omnichannel shopping experience. Extending its long-time partnership with Yoox Net-a-Porter Group (YNAP), Valentino is upgrading its omnichannel platform, a move that will give customers access to its extensive product assortment, in-store mobile features, and faster delivery through fulfillment from Valentino boutiques.
Teen retailer expands presence in Asia

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. now has a way to get its fashions into the hands of its loyal shoppers in Southeast Asia — and fast. Through a new wholesale agreement with Asia's leading online fashion destination Zalora, the teen apparel retailer will begin selling its Hollister merchandise through Zalora's online stores starting next week. The site will also begin offering Abercrombie & Fitch product later this month, according to Abercrombie & Fitch.
Salons get makeover at J.C. Penney

J.C. Penney extending its commitment to beauty and related services. The retailer said Monday that 50 additional salon locations will be rebranded to The Salon by Instyle this year, as the company continues to revamp its 750 salons nationwide. Key design elements of the new concept include updated graphics, photography that highlights hair trends, accent lighting, modern fixtures and sleek furniture. Each salon offers an array of services from haircuts to hair treatments to extensions.
Gap veteran joins Lululemon board

A veteran retailer has been named co-chairman of Lululemon Athletica. The retailer has appointed Glen Murphy to its board as co-chairman, effective immediately. Murphy served as chairman and CEO of Gap Inc. from 2007 to 2014. Prior to that, he was CEO of Canadian drugstore chain Shoppers Drug Mart. Currently, Murphy is head of FIS Holdings, where he is responsible for leading the high-impact consumer-focused investment firm deploying a combination of operating guidance and capital flexibility.
Department store retailer enters new market

Von Maur has opened its first location in Wisconsin. The family-owned company opened a 150,000-sq.-ft. store at The Corners of Brookfield in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Von Maur has been expanding with its eye on a national footprint. After expanding beyond its Midwestern footprint in 2011 with the opening of its first location in Georgia, Von Maur has since grown in additional new states including New York, Alabama and Oklahoma.
Forever 21 in big rollout of sister banner

Forever 21 announced a major expansion of its F21 Red division. The fast-fashion retailer plans to open more than 40 F21 stores across the United States in 2017. The first three are scheduled to open in April, in San Antonio, Texas; Bronx, New York, and Chicago. New locations will continue to open throughout the year in key cities, bringing the brand’s total store count to more than seventy locations by year-end.
Report: Eastern Outfitters LLC seeks speedy store closures

Eastern Outfitters could soon be adding to the surge of store closings among U.S. retailers. The company won a court order on Thursday, April 6, for an expedited hearing on its plan to shutter 48 of the 86 stores its operates under the Bob's Stores and Eastern Mountain Sports brands, according to Reuters.
Bids on Payless sites are being accepted until May 15

Bids are being accepted on the leases for 425 Payless ShoeSource locations through May 15, according to RCS Real Estate Advisors, which has been retained to handle the disposition. The stores range in size from 2,000 to 5,000 sq. ft. and are situated in both mall and street environments. Payless this week filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, listing liabilities between $1 billion and $10 billion. It will continue to operate its business as usual at its nearly 4,000 other locations.
L Brands’ March comps sink

L Brands’ recent exit from swimwear continues to take its toll on the company’s sales. The specialty retailer, which operates Victoria’s Secret, Pink, Bath & Body Works, La Senza and Henri Bendel, reported its net sales decreased 7% to $951.4 million for the five weeks ended April 1, 2017. This is compared to net sales of $1.027 billion for the five weeks ended April 2 , 2016.