Apparel

Target Exercises Flexibility
Target Corp. is thinking out of the box in urban and other select areas.
The retailer’s flexible format store is designed to allow it to open in locations — ranging from downtown areas to college neighborhoods — that can’t accommodate a big-box footprint. The stores, which also serve as convenient pick-up destinations for online orders, run the gamut in size depending on their location. But most seem to average from about 20,000 to 40,000 sq. ft. The smallest, at 12,000 sq. ft., is in Berkely, Calif.
NYC BEST BETS: TOP 10 NEW STORES
The past year saw the opening of dozens of exciting new stores in Manhattan. Here’s my annual list of faves:
• Barneys: In a spectacular homecoming, the upscale retailer opened a stunning flagship downtown on the same block the company was founded in 1923. The multi-level, 55,000-sq.-ft. store combines the ultimate in modern luxe with the latest technology, from beacons to a store clienteling app to mobile checkouts. (101 Seventh Ave.)

Amazon making plans to enter a hot apparel segment

Job postings by Amazon may have revealed the company’s newest apparel entry: athleisure. Several online job listings published by Amazon in December suggest that the online giant is developing a line of workout apparel, reported ReCode.
Coach taps former Saks exec as new finance head

Coach announced the appointment of Kevin G. Wills as CFO, effective no later than March 2017. Wills joins the upscale specialty retailer from AlixPartners LLP, a global business advisory firm, where he has served as managing director and CFO since March 2014.
Saks Off 5th to enter new market

Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th will open its first location in Montreal, at CF Galeries d’Anjou. The approximately 30,000-sq.-ft. store will open this summer. “We have now announced four locations across Quebec and we look forward to bringing the Off 5th experience to these areas, said Jonathan Greller, president, Saks Off 5th and Gilt. CF Galeries d’Anjou is managed by Cadillac Fairview, and jointly owned by Cadillac Fairview and Ivanhoé Cambridge.
Teen apparel retailer firms up executive suite with two new positions

Rue 21 has added the positions of COO and chief marketing officer to its executive roster. The chain has promoted Dirk Armstrong to COO. Armstrong has been with rue21 for nearly five years and was formerly senior VP and director of stores. Previously, he served as senior VP, director of stores at Ann Taylor and regional director at Gap Inc.
Report: 2016 digital holiday sales, online searches rise

While results were conservative, holiday digital sales surpassed 2015 figures.
Sign Up for Disruption: Winning in the Subscription Economy

Just a few years ago, consumers typically associated subscription services with utilities and print media. Yet the rapid rise of digital technologies has led to an explosion in the number of services available, which cater to almost every aspect of consumers’ lives – from Spotify and Netflix to Birchbox and Blue Apron.
Holiday spending surpasses expectations

Initial reports about holiday spending bode well for retailers. Consumers spent 16% more on holiday purchases this year than in 2015, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers Post-Holiday Shopping Survey.
Concerns raised over Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops deal

Federal regulators have raised questions over Bass Pro Shops' $4.5 billion deal to acquire Cabela's Inc. In a regulatory filing Friday, Cabela's said the Federal Trade Commission had requested additional information from both Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops, according to Foxnews.com.
Bankrupt fashion retailer to initiate auction process

Nasty Gal is moving ahead with plans to be acquired by a British online fast-fashion retailer.
Closing time for the Limited?

As the new year begins, it’s not looking very good for the ailing Limited Stores. Reports are coming in from around the country of Limited store closings, The Columbus Dispatch reported. In Florida, some stores closed after business hours on Christmas Eve.