Apparel

Survey: These retailers top customer service expectations
Exceptional customer service is key to driving long-term customer loyalty — and once again, B&H Photo Video, The Home Depot and Zappos are blazing the path. For the second year in a row, these three heavy hitters topped the 20th Annual Mystery Shopping Study. The report from Astound Commerce recognized retailers who excel in customer service through an assessment of “must-have” website features and behavior based on engagement with available touchpoints.
Report: Online retailer’s sample sale gets ‘social’
Specialty retailer Bow & Drape is putting a new spin on how it sells its cheeky merchandise. The brand, which lets shoppers customize pun-inspired apparel, is rolling out sample sales on Instagram, Glossy said.

Report: Fragrance retailer exploring options

Declining mall traffic is taking a toll on Perfumania. Perfumania Holdings Inc. has hired advisers to explore strategic alternatives, including a debt restructuring, Reuters reported. It also plans to negotiate with landlords to exit some of its 313 Perfumania stores. The company recorded debt of approximately $164 million on Oct. 29 and $2.1 million in cash and cash equivalents, the report said.
Early Internet sensation goes private

The $500 million sale of online diamond and jewelry retailer Blue Nile has been completed. The company was acquired by an investor group comprised of Bain Capital Private Equity, Bow Street and Adama Partners for $40.75 per share in cash. The transaction, first announced on Nov. 7, 2016, was approved by shareholders on Feb.2, 2017.
Another sporting goods retailer calling it quits

It’s closing time for MC Sports. The chain, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Feb. 14, is closing all 66 of its stores across the Midwest. A joint venture between Tiger Capital Group and Great American Group is conducting the going-out-of-business sales, which are now underway.
VF Corp. sales slip in Q4

An inconsistent U.S. marketplace and the sale of one of its business units contributed to lower fourth quarter sales for VF Corp. The company, whose brands include The North Face and Timberland, reported that its net sales fell 0.1% to of $3.2 billion, for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2016. Total revenue came in at $3.3 billion, down 0.2%.
Report: Apparel company makes a play for bankrupt specialty retailer

A new company is interested in The Limited. Sunrise Brands LLC has bid for the bankrupt apparel retailer’s e-commerce business and intellectual property, a move that challenges a $26.3 million offer from private equity firm Sycamore Partners, Reuters said.
Allen Edmonds, King of Prussia, Pa.

An American classic — Allen Edmonds — has opened a prototype whose environment focuses on its lifestyle offerings while also honing in on the timeless, masculine essence of the 95-year-old brand.
Off-pricer retailer sets 2017 expansion

It’s going to be a busy spring for Stein Mart. The Florida-based chain will open five stores this spring –– the first phase of its 2017 store plan to open a total of 11 new stores. The remainder of the locations will open in the fall. “These new stores fall within our real estate strategy to grow sales by filling existing markets where we are doing well,” said Hunt Hawkins, CEO of Stein Mart, which operates 290 stores.
Ralph Lauren adds new exec positions

Ralph Lauren Corporation has created two executive positions as the company continues its turnaround efforts and to search for a new chief executive. Ralph Lauren tapped Jonathan Bottomley to the newly created position of chief marketing officer, effective April 3. He will be responsible for evolving Ralph Lauren’s brand voice, leading the global marketing team and building cut-through marketing strategies across the company’s brands.
Retail CEOs meet with Trump

The CEOs of Gap, Best Buy, Target Corp., J.C. Penney and several other national retailers met with President Trump on Wednesday to discuss tax reform and to make their case against the so-called border tax adjustment.
Nordstrom Rack doubles down on Manhattan

Nordstrom announced the second Big Apple location for its off-price division. Nordstrom Rack will open at Durst Organization's mixed-use building at 855 Sixth Avenue. The approximately 46,500-sq.-ft. store is scheduled to open in fall 2017. It occupy the first three floors of the newly constructed office/residential tower. The location is on the corner of 31st Street, two blocks from Herald Square.