Apparel

Customer data from payment cards used at Eddie Bauer stores from Jan. 2 to July 17 of this year may have been accessed by malware infecting point of sales systems, the company announced.    An investigation by a third-party digital forensics firm engaged by Eddie Bauer found that the breach was part of a concerted hack-attack targeting several restaurants, hotels, and retailers.  

Payless ShoeSource and Marshalls will be opening their doors in the coming week in the Butler North power center of Butler Enterprises’ 267-acre retail park in Gainesville, Florida. Walmart Supercenter, Sam’s Club, Lowe’s, and Dick’s Sporting Goods made their debuts there earlier this year.   

Simon has opened the doors on a new 155,000-sq.-ft. wing at its King of Prussia Mall that connects the five-anchor Plaza and two-anchor Court. The Pennsylvania mega-mall’s footprint now encompasses 2.9 million sq. ft.   Longtime tenants Burberry, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany relocated to the new addition. Some 50 new stores will populate the space, led by high-fashion and luxury brands such as Calligaris, David Yurman, Jimmy Choo, CH Caroline Herrera, and Diane von Furstenberg.   

Cole Haan has opened a global flagship at the just-opened Westfield World Trade Center in lower Manhattan. And the retailer is making it easy for shoppers to get there by linking up with Uber.  

It appears that American Apparel may be looking to start a new chapter.   The retailer, which emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection some six months ago, is now said to be looking for a buyer, Women’s Wear Daily reported.   Click here to read more.

The Bon-Ton Stores reduced its loss in the second quarter amid fewer markdowns and inventory controls, but sales fell as mall traffic remained soft.   The retailer posted a loss of $38.7 million in the quarter ended July 30, compared with a net loss of $39.6 million in the year-ago period.   Total sales fell 2.4% to $542.4 million, compared with $555.4 million last year. Same-store sales were down 2.0%.  

Customer experience remains at the hub of all retail strategies, including technical strategy. Whether it’s global inventory availability, mobile payment or loyalty apps, e-commerce and call center integration, or ubiquitous points-of-sale, infrastructure that uses all assets while integrating suppliers and consumers continues to define a retailer’s network design. Further, in highly competitive retail segments, managing the costs of digital fluidity is not only vital to capturing profitable share; it can also distinguish competitive advantage. 

American Eagle Outfitters’ profit, revenue and same-store sales increased in the second quarter, with its results topping expectations.   The chain posted a profit of $41.6 million for the quarter, up 25% from $33.3 million in the year-ago quarter.   Total net revenue increased 3% to $823 million, from $797 million in the year-ago period.   Consolidated same-store sales increased 3%.   

Urban Outfitter Inc. turned in a better-than-expected performance in the second quarter amid increased sales and fewer promotions and markdowns.   “Urban has now regained its position as the brand leader for young people,” said Urban Outfitters CEO Richard A. Haynes during the chain’s quarterly conference call.  

Groupon, One Kings Lane and ModCloth have the top-rated mobile apps in the retail industry.   That’s according to a study conducted by Application Resource Center, which analyzed data taken from 1.2 million user reviews posted on the Apple and Google Play app stores for 50 retailers. (The retailers were reviewed represented the retailers with the most mobile app sales in 2015.)