Apparel

Allen Edmonds, the nearly 100-year-old men’s footwear and accessories brand whose products are handmade in Port Washington, Wisconsin, has a new owner.   Caleres announced it has acquired Allen Edmonds from private equity firm Brentwood Associates for $255 million. In addition to operating stores under the Famous Footwear banner, Caleres has a diverse portfolio of footwear brands.  

American Apparel witnessed a bright light in its ongoing financial saga.   The beleaguered specialty retailer has court approval to use the remainder of its $30 million bankruptcy loan. American Apparel filed Chapter 11 in November, its second filing in 15 months.   

Neil Saunders, CEO of Conlumino, comments on Neiman Marcus’ first quarter results below:  

Sears is taking the saying, “it is better to give than to receive” to heart.   Coinciding with its “Season of Wishes” holiday campaign, the department store chain is rewarding shoppers at Sears Hometown and outlet stores who donate $5 to Make-A-Wish with a “Very Merry Santa Sale” pass for an extra discount between Dec. 15 and Dec. 24.   

The final shopping days of the holiday season are in full swing, and it is driving harried shoppers to open their wallets even wider.   The average spend per gift is up 37% over last year, and men are spending roughly 20% more than women on average, according to new data from Loop Commerce, which evaluated purchases made through its network of top retailers including Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and Coach, among others..   

When the Northern Lights Center in Anchorage, Alaska, was owned by folksy former governor Wally Hickel, things were good for Title Wave Books. The midtown neighborhood was in decline, rent was cheap, and husband-and-wife owners Julie Drake and Steve Lloyd were able to make a living from their low-margin inventory.  

Neiman Marcus Group doubled its loss in its first quarter amid sliding sales.   The luxury department store retailer posted a net loss of $23.5 million in its first quarter, ended Oct. 29, compared to a loss of $10.5 million in the year-ago period.    Sales fell 7.4% to $1.08 billion, from $1.16 billion last year.   Same-store sales fell 8%. It was the fifth straight quarter of decline.  

A recent Washington Post article pointed out that Anthropologie posted four straight quarters of flat or declining comparable sales and J. Crew saw comparable sales drop 10% in the last year. Banana Republic has seen a decline in comparable sales for the past 13 months, including a staggering 14% plunge in July. Weak sales numbers have also plagued Gap and Ann Taylor.  

Retailers and restaurants in the United States won’t get any relief in 2017 in the battle to win customers.    That’s according to Fitch Ratings' Outlook report, which says that retailers will continue to face a competitive environment in 2017 as they navigate changing customer preferences.  

Altar'd State, a fast-growing women's fashion brand with more than 70 stores, has added to its senior leadership team with two retail veterans.   John Buell has joined Altar'd State as senior VP, CFO. Buell is a 13-year Limited Stores veteran, having most recently served as Interim CEO. Prior to joining Limited, Buell spent 15 years at Sears, Roebuck, and Co.