Apparel

Apple to double size of Fifth Avenue flagship
Apple is going really big in Manhattan. The retailer is expanding its flagship at the General Motors building on Fifth Avenue from its current 32,000-sq.-ft. to over 77,000 sq. ft. The Apple space is renowned for the glass cube located on the street level. While the store is undergoing the expansion, Apple has temporarily moved into a space in the building that was formerly occupied by FAO Schwarz.
Dick’s Sporting Goods to take former Sears space at Capital City Mall
Dick’s Sporting Goods will be relocating one of its stores in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, metro to space formerly inhabited by Sears at PREIT’s Capital City Mall.

Abercrombie set to unveil new, more ‘inclusive’ store prototype

For the first time in more than 15 years, Abercrombie & Fitch is launching a new store format for its namesake banner.
U.K. retailer set to acquire Nasty Gal

After all was said and done, the formerly high-flying and now bankrupt Nasty Gal had only one suitor. Online British fashion retailer Boohoo moved a step closer to acquiring the Los Angeles-based fashion brand after no other qualifying bidders came forward.
Tiffany CEO out

On the heels of disappointing financial results, Tiffany & Co. said that Frederic Cumenal has stepped down as CEO, effective immediately. Cumenal, who had run the company since April 2015, is being succeeded on an interim basis by chairman and former CEO Michael Kowalski, while the company searches for a permanent replacement.
Teen retailer files for Chapter 11 — again

The Wet Seal has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in a little over two years. The move comes after the struggling teen apparel retailer said it planned to close all its stores after it was unable to find a buyer or fresh capital. The company’s website is still selling merchandise, with all goods discounted.
Lowe’s, seven others, sign on at Lake Nona

Lowe’s has signed on as the third anchor at Lake Nona Landing, the newly opened shopping center within the 17-square-mile Lake Nona master-planned community outside of Orlando, Fla. The 158,000-sq.-ft. home improvement store joins current anchors Walmart Supercenter and Sam’s Club. Developer Tavistock Development announced it has also executed leases for seven other retailers at the 53-acre site: TJ Maxx, Mattress One, Firehouse Subs, Anthony Jewelers, UPS, Rubio’s, and GNC.
Hudson’s Bay reportedly approaches Macy’s about a takeover

A blockbuster deal in retail could be on the horizon. Or not. Canada’s Hudson's Bay Company has approached Macy’s about a takeover, reported The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter. The talks between the companies are in the early stages and could lead to something other than an acquisition, according to the Journal, such as a deal for Macy’s real estate, which could be valued at roughly $14 billion. The talks could also go nowhere.
Gap in augmented reality dressing room pilot

Gap is testing an augmented reality app that lets shoppers "try on” its apparel without ever entering a store. The app, called DressingRoom by Gap, lets customers virtually try on merchandise via their smartphone, according to a report by PSFK. It uses Avametric technology backed by the Google Tango platform and ASUS hardware.
Nordstrom dropping Ivanka Trump brand

Ivanka Trump-branded items will soon be a thing of the past at Nordstrom.
Dillard’s to replace Macy’s at Utah Mall

Dillard’s has signed an agreement to move into a shuttered Macy’s store at the Layton Hills Mall in Layton, Utah, north of Salt Lake City. Construction on the 160,000-sq.-ft. site is set to begin in April, looking toward a fall 2017 opening.
Changing of the guard at luxury specialty retailer

Barneys New York has promoted its COO to the top job. Daniella Vitale has been named chief executive officer of the New York-based upscale specialty retailer. Vitale replaces Mark Lee, who is retiring and will assume the role executive chairman. Lee joined Barneys as chief executive in 2010. He is credited with turning the business around. Lee previously served as CEO of Gucci, and also held positions at Yves Saint Laurent, Armani and Jill Sander. He started his career at Saks Fifth Avenue.