Apparel

Express beats customer expectations through outsourced services
Omnichannel has pushed the envelope on customer expectations, and retailers need to deliver — literally. Express is not only meeting customer expectations, it is exceeding them by outsourcing its fulfillment and freight operations to Radial. The omnichannel technology and operations provider’s Richwood, Kent.-based fulfillment center features space specifically built out to support Express’ back-end omnichannel needs.
Ascena Q4 profit misses
Ascena Retail Group Inc., which operates apparel stores under the Ann Taylor, Loft, Lane Bryant and other banners, on Monday reported fiscal fourth-quarter earnings worse than Wall Street expected and also gave weaker-than-expected guidance for fiscal 2017. The parent company of Lane Bryant, Ann, Justice and other apparel banners reported net income of $13.8 million, after reporting a loss in the same period a year earlier.

Custom menswear start-up expanding in U.S.

Hot on the heels of its first U.S. store, Surmesur, a made-to-measure online men’s clothing retailer, has brought its original custom menswear concept to Chicago. The Chicago store is the eighth for the custom menswear retailer and the second outside Canada's borders, with the recent opening of a store in Pittsburgh.
Not good for business: Retailers show outerwear amid 90 degree temps

Consumers’ new ‘buy now, wear now’ mentality it putting them at odds with retailers, many of whom are already pushing outerwear and other cold weather gear.
Discounter in more store closings

Kmart continues to shrink. The chain is closing another 64 stores, Marketwatch.com reported. The latest round of closings are in addition to a decision by Kmart parent Sears Holdings Corp. last April to close 68 Kmart stores this year, the report said. Kmart operated 941 stores as of Jan. 30, meaning it has now announced plans to close about 14% of its locations.
Tory Burch taps former Burberry exec

John Douglas has been named chief technology officer at Tory Burch LLC. In this newly created position, Douglas will be responsible for leading the company’s global technology and IT functions. Previously, Douglas was the CIO with MCM Fashion Group. Prior to that position, he spent nine years as CTO at Burberry.
Under Armour names new president

Jason LaRose has been named Under Armour’s president, North America. LaRose succeeds Matthew Mirchin, who will transition to the role of strategic advisor, global rrevenue, effective Oct. 1. The two men will continue to closely work together to “accelerate our footprint in North America,” Kevin Plank, founder and CEO of Under Armour said in a statement.
Warehouse, London
U.S. department store retailer continues Canadian expansion

Nordstrom is continuing to grow its footprint in Canada. The retailer on Friday opened its store at CF Toronto Eaton Centre, the company's second international flagship location since opening at Pacific Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia, last fall.
Unusual deal gives Aeropostale new lease on life — and it just got better

A first-of-its kind arrangement has saved Aeropostale. A consortium made up of Authentic Brands Group (ABG) and two of the nation’s largest real estate companies — General Growth Properties and Simon Property Group — announced it has finalized the acquisition of the teen apparel retailer. It is the first time that mall operators have participated in a deal to acquire a retail chain.
Saks Off 5th opens store in D.C. area

Saks Fifth Avenues’ value-luxury brand opened its fourth Virginia outlet this week in Springfield, just outside of Alexandria. The new store occupies a 30,000-sq.-ft. space on two levels in the PREIT-owned Springfield Town Center, its first mall location in the Washington, D.C., area.
Shoppers keep spending in check in August

Retail sales fell more than expected in August after a strong June and a relatively flat July. The National Retail Federation said that retail sales, excluding automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants, were down 0.3% over July. On a year-over-year basis, however, NRF calculates that retail sales increased 4.1%. The slowdown in August was broad-based and, notably, there was a drop-off in non-store sales, NRF noted. Clothing sales increased 0.7% in August, driven by back-to-school shopping.