Apparel

Adidas, New York City
The new, 45,000-sq.-ft. adidas flagship in New York City is the athletic giant’s largest store in the world — and its most brand immersive. Sleek and ultra-modern looking, the store marks the debut of adidas’ stadium retail concept, which is inspired by high school stadiums and celebrates creativity in sport. It features a tunnel entrance, high-school reminiscent bleacher stands for live-game viewing on big screens, locker room-styled dressing rooms and track and turf sections where customers can try out products.
Exclusive: Cavender’s saddles up for cloud-based WFM
It’s not easy for a family-owned company to phase out its homegrown systems in favor of automation. Cavender’s Boot City has not only taken this bold step, but it’s upping the ante even further as it transitions its workforce management (WFM) platform to the cloud. Cavender’s is a 90-year-old western specialty retailer that continues to grow — even while it maintained homegrown IT systems, including a legacy-based WFM operations.

Ascena Retail Group swings to Q1 profit but misses Street

Ascena Retail Group reported a profit in its first quarter on lower costs, but it missed Wall Street expectations. The company, whose banners include Ann Taylor, Loft, Lane Bryant, Dress Barn and more, reported net income of $14 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, in the first quarter, compared to a net loss of $18 million last year, or $0.10 per diluted share. Ascena’s income for the first quarter reflected lower purchase accounting adjustments and acquisition and integration costs.
Change in weather bodes well for retail sales

Winter is coming — and not just to “Game of Thrones.” A blast of cold air will move from the West Coast and across North America next week (Dec. 5-11), fueling demand for outerwear, gloves, hats, sweaters, heaters, and blankets, according to weather analytics company Planalytics.
Analysis: A Good Fit? Canadian Firm Acquires American Apparel

It’s been quite a tumultuous few years for American Apparel. Between its signature oversexed ad campaigns, founder and former CEO Dov Charney’s fall from grace, and ongoing financial trouble, there’s no shortage of controversy surrounding the apparel company. Most recently, American Apparel filed for bankruptcy for the second time in 13 months amid a $66 million acquisition by Montreal-based Gildan Activewear Inc.
S2 Capital has expansion plans for Richmond-area center

McLean, Virginia-based S2 Capital Partners has purchased an 8-acre center on the outskirts of Richmond with plans to build it out to its full potential. The company paid $12 million for the 52,000-sq.-ft. Stonebridge Marketplace, and principal Rob Seidel told Richmond Biz Sense that it plans to add 7,200-sq.-ft. and 8,400-sq.-ft. buildings to fill out the strip that fronts a 123,000-sq.-ft. Kroger Marketplace. Current tenants include Firestone, Panda Express, Mattress Firm, Qdoba, and AT&T.
Unusual demographic flocking to J.C. Penney

J.C. Penney is often associated with an older shopper demographic. But its comeback is being fueled, at least partially, by a surprising group. Millennial moms now account for 45% of Penney's revenue, CNBC reported, and the group is also driving much of the growth in the company's sales and customer count.
U.K. activewear retailer has big plans for the U.S. market

Move over Lululemon and Athletica, Sweaty Betty is moving onto your turf. The London-based retailer of stylish activewear for women opened its ninth U.S. store — and third location in the Los Angeles area — on Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood, reported The Los Angeles Times, with a location in San Francisco up next.
RetailMeNot: Early promotions spur Cyber Week spending

Both Black Friday and Cyber Monday broke sales records this year, and early promotions could be a key contributor to this success. Out of more than 400 major retailers that offered promotions via RetailMeNot, 70% started promoting Black Friday deals before Thanksgiving, the savings destination reported in the “RetailMeNot Promotions Index.” The study, which was conducted between Nov. 24 and Nov. 28, is based on responses from 1,500 Americans aged 18 and over.
Another apparel retailer sounds cautious note on holiday

Express reported a drop in third-quarter profit and slashed its full-year adjusted earnings outlook, warning that the holiday season will "remain challenging." In recent days, an array of apparel retailers have expressed caution about the holiday selling season, including Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch and American Eagle Outfitters. Express earned $11.6 million, 15 cents per share, for the quarter ended Oct. 29, down from $26.3 million, or 31 cents per share, a year earlier.
Hudson Yards retail component is 60% leased

After Neiman Marcus announced it would open its first New York store at Hudson Yards — the biggest development in that town in recent history — retail leases are being signed at a torrid pace. According to developer Related Urban, The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards are 60% leased more than two years before their scheduled opening in fall 2018.
American Eagle lowers forecast

It’s a rough time for many teen apparel retailers and the holiday season may not bring much relief. American Eagle Outfitters Inc. on Wednesday issued a weaker than expected forecast for the fourth quarter as its CEO cited a “tough” retail environment. Its warnings issues similar statements from the likes of Abercrombie & Fitch and Gap.