Apparel

Stuart Weitzman steps up its ‘boot game’
Stuart Wetizman’s new service is connecting loyal shoppers with their “solemates.”

Called "The Ultimate Boot Guide,” the luxury footwear brand’s new digital service assists shoppers as they the hunt for their “perfect pair of boots” among more than 70 boot styles available this season on Stuartweitzman.com.
First Look: Lou & Grey, New York
The more casual sister of Loft and Ann Taylor has opened its first location in New York City.

The store, in Manhattan’s Flatiron district, reflects the easy-going, laid-back approach of the merchandise on display, with a design that evokes a soft, clean feeling. It features marble tables and fitting rooms that evoke a lounge space – floating curtains in linen with pink velvet stools.

Gap among those unfazed by Macy’s coming store closures

Top suppliers don’t seem very worried about Macy’s looming store closings. And neither does the CEO of Gap Inc., according to a report by CNBC.com. Gap chief executive Art Peck told attendees at Goldman Sachs' Annual Global Retailing Conference that he sees the Macy's store closures as an opportunity to grab market share, the report said.
Carolina Panthers kick-off improved fan experience

Just in time to kick-off the 2016 NFL season, the Carolina Panthers are giving fans another reason to cheer. The defending NFC champions upgraded the Carolina Panthers Official Shop, the team’s official online store — a move that promises “to pro-vide Panthers fans worldwide with an exceptional online shopping expe-rience,” according to a company statement.
Sportswear brand launches PLM

Collaboration is key when it comes to seamlessly creating private-label apparel to sell across branded stores and department store partners. In effort to streamline information sharing across product development processes, GANT is deploying a product lifecycle management (PLM) solution that promises to improve its product-hit rate, shorten lead times, and enhance margins.
Ground breaks on Staten Island Mall expansion

Construction has begun on a 240,000-sq.-ft expansion of the Staten Island Mall, the largest shopping center in the New York City borough. The multi-phase project will take two years to complete, and will add some 75,000 sq. ft. of space to Macy’s plus 40,000 sq. ft. for a new Dave & Busters and a 12-option food court. A new wing with a three-level parking deck is destined for one side of the General Growth Properties mall.
Shoes.com new president to support expansion

Just in time to lead the company’s next growth phase, Shoes.com has appointed Bradley Wilson as president. Most recently, Wilson served as general manager at Expedia, in charge of the Travelocity business. Before that, he served as CMO at Travelocity, growing it to a multi-billion dollar travel marketplace that was successfully sold to Expedia in 2014. He has also held senior management roles at both Nutrisystem and Match.com during their respective and explosive growth years.
Milan’s hippest merchant to open first U.S. location

10 Corso Como, the eternally cool Milanese retailer, is coming to the Big Apple. The Howard Hughes Corp, announced that the Milan-based retailer will open its first U.S. store in the Seaport District of lower Manhattan as part of the development’s ongoing transformation.
Athleisure giant stretches ship-from-store commitment

On the heels of announcing plans to open smaller, “local” stores, lululemon athletica hopes to further extend the breadth of its brand by expanding its ship-from-store service — just in time for the upcoming holiday shopping season. The program, which currently encompasses 11 stores, will grow to 65 locations, a move that will streamline fulfillment of online orders, Laurent Potdevin, lululemon’s CEO, said during the company’s fiscal second quarter 2016 earnings call last week.
Teen apparel retailer exits bankruptcy; gets new owner

Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. has won court approval to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The chain’s reorganization plan was approved by the court on Tuesday. Under the plan, the chain will give all its stock to affiliates of private equity firm Golden Gate Capital, its senior lender.
Lifestyle brand bringing activewear concept to Midwest

Tory Burch is expanding its fledgling new retail format. The company will open a 2,060-sq.-ft. Tory Sport store at Mall of America, Bloomington, Minnesota, in late October. Tory Sport, which launched in 2015, currently has a store in Manhattan’s Flatiron District and another in East Hampton, New York. In addition to the upcoming Mall of America store, it will open a location in Dallas, also this fall.
DSW develops, adopts suite of enterprise applications

The ability to scale solutions as a means of meeting customer expectations is the name of the game in omnichannel success. By adding a new cloud-based retail suite, DSW is modernizing its back-office applications, and adding a new level of flexibility, security and innovation required in an always-evolving omnichannel landscape.