Apparel

Luxury retailer taps Bergdorf Goodman exec to lead brand growth
Coach Inc. has tapped a 26-year fashion veteran to lead the company as its expands its brand portfolio. Joshua Schulman has been named president and CEO of the Coach brand, effective June 5. In this newly created role, Schulman will be responsible for all aspects of the brand globally, reporting directly to Victor Luis, CEO of Coach, Inc. This new leadership structure follows the 2015 acquisition of Stuart Weitzman, and is an important step in Coach, Inc.’s evolution as a customer-focused, multi-brand organization, the retailer said.
Washington Spotlight: Is Ivanka a Retail Partner or Issue Adversary?
The retail community has had a curious relationship with the Ivanka Trump brand over the last year or two. Some prominent brands proudly display her clothing, shoe and accessories lines. Others carry it, but really don’t highlight it too much, and some have decided to drop it all together.

Hudson’s Bay Co. eyes reinvention amid steep Q4 loss, dismal year

Hudson’s Bay Co. mirrored the challenges confronting the department store industry as it swung to a loss in its fourth quarter and said it would cut costs and capital spending.
Specialty footwear giant to shutter hundreds of stores amid Chapter 11 filing

Payless ShoeSource filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection amid growing competition from off-price retailers and online.

The retailer, which has some 4,400 locations in more than 30 countries, plans to immediately close nearly 400 stores in the United States and Puerto Rico as it attempts to boost its balance sheet and restructure its debt load.
Study: Retailers need to get in shape to meet demand for fast fashion

The hottest fashion trend today is speed—and retailers need to be in the fast lane to remain competitive. That’s according to new research from Kurt Salmon, part of Accenture Strategy, which finds that speed and agility are the top priorities for every retailer competing in fast fashion.
Rochester outlet center adds Macy’s building

A mall-to-outlet center conversion underway in Rochester, New York, took a big step forward this week with the acquisition of a Macy’s building on the property.
Noted industry veteran rejoins R.J. Brunelli

When Michael Murphy started his career as a mall marketing director with Ernest W. Hahn in California, the Beatles had just recently broken up and enclosed malls were the new wave in retail. Now, after four years as director of retail services at Cushman & Wakefield, Murphy has returned to R. J. Brunelli & Co.to take up his former position as senior sales associate.
British retailer to make U.S. debut

A British lifestyle brand will open its first store in the United States this summer. The White Company will open a 3,000-sq.-ft. flagship in the Flatiron section of Manhattan. Described as the first international flagship of the brand, the store will stock a curated selection of lifestyle, homeware and fashion products. A selection of The Little White Company products featuring white baby clothes and nursery equipment will also be housed in the space.
Starwood names new leasing chief

Michael J. Powers, a leasing veteran and principal in a progressive hair salon concept, has been promoted to senior VP and head of leasing at Starwood Retail Partners. Prior to joining Starwood as VP of leasing in 2013, Powers helped found Salonspace, a concept that seeks to provide hair stylists with a workplace environment they can approach on their own terms. He is a leasing veteran of Simon Property Group, Steiner + Associates, and Glimcher Realty Trust.
Ralph Lauren to reduce headcount, close flagship, deploy new online platform

Ralph Lauren Corp. is shaking things up—and cutting costs. The company, which has been struggling with weak sales, on Tuesday said it would reduce corporate staff, close its Polo flagship on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, and move its online platform to Salesforce’s CommerceCloud solution.
Off-price apparel chain revamps the front end

Forman Mills is on a growth spurt — now it needs its point-of-sale (POS) to grow with it. The off-price retailer has grown from a single store to a 36-store chain of “big box” warehouse-style stores across multiple states. As the retailer enters its next stage of expansion in connection with a recent investment from New York-based Goode Partners LLC, Forman Mills needed a front end solution that could support its growth, and drive more efficient checkout processes.
Key executive out at J. Crew

The woman whose quirky, eclectic personal style came to define J. Crew — and who is the No.2 executive at the company — is leaving. Jenna Lyons, president and executive creative director, is stepping down from the struggling retailer. She will remain with J.Crew as a creative advisor until her contract expires in December 2017.