Apparel

J.C. Penney narrows loss as rebuilding progresses
J.C. Penney Co. continues to make progress in its turnaround efforts as its narrowed its second quarter loss and posted a gain in same-store sales even as Macy’s and Kohl’s posted declines. The retailer also reaffirmed its full year forecast of a 3%- to 4% increase in same-store sales. It’s been a busy few months for Penney, which has been opening expanded appliance departments and testing in-store partnerships with Ashley Furniture and Empire Today.
Retail sales stall in July
Consumers cooled their spending in July. Retail sales were flat in July, in line with a revised 0.8% gain in June, according to figures released Friday by the Commerce Department. The report ended three straight months of monthly gains. Sales in July rose 2.3% from a year ago. Excluding automobiles and parts sales, sales fell 0.3% in July — the weakest reading since January, after a 0.9% gain in the prior month.

Toy exec joins Gap board

The chief executive of Hasbro Inc. has joined the board of directors of Gap Inc., effective Aug. 12. The retailer said it is adding Brian D. Goldner to its board as the merchant focuses on its “next era of retail.” His appointment comes shortly after Gap posted a disappointing sales for the second quarter.
Department store offers more flexible, personalized loyalty program

Nordstrom Inc. is enhancing the rewards it offers customers via its loyalty program. The retailer partnered with Aimia Inc., a data-driven marketing and loyalty analytics company, to expand the Nordstrom Rewards loyalty program. The expanded program launched in Nordstrom stores in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, and on Nordstrom.com in May 2016. In the first three months, Nordstrom has enrolled approximately 1.7 million new members.
Nordstrom feeling bullish

Nordstrom Inc. on Thursday reported second quarter earnings that exceeded Wall Street estimates, and also lifted its full-year earnings outlook. The upscale department store profit’s fell to $117 million, or $0.67 per share, from $211 million or $0.1.09 per share in the year-ago period. Analysts had expected earnings of $0.56 per share.
Wal-Mart in deal with Liverpool

Wal-Mart Stores’ Mexican unit is shedding its apparel store chain. Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB (Walmex) is selling its Suburbia chain to El Puerto de Liverpool SAB, one of the largest department store operators in Mexico, in a deal valued at 19 billion pesos ($1.03 billion), Bloomberg reported.
Lifestyle retailer hits the road — in a container

Online and catalog retailer Garnet Hill is taking a curated collection of its aspirationally styled home and apparel goods on the road with a mobile pop-up boutique. The experience, created from a converted shipping container, resembles a natural home environment – except that it's shop-able. The mobile pop-up will launch at Garnet Hill headquarters in Franconia, New Hampshire, moving south through New Hampshire, and completing its summer tour in New York City.
Kohl’s tops Street

Kohl’s Corp. beat analysts’ expectations for the second quarter even as its sales continued to show weakness. The retailer posted a profit of $140 million, or 77 cents a share for the quarter ended July 30, compared with $130 million, or 66 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Excluding certain items, earnings rose to $1.22 a share from $1.07 a year ago. Revenue fell 2% to a better-than-expected $4.18 billion. Same-store sales fell 1.8%.
Marine Layer is latest new-to-Kentucky tenant at The Summit

Bayer Properties’ plan for drawing shoppers to its new $156 million mixed-use development in Lexington, Kentucky, could be one that catches on in other rural regions: Recruit retail tenants that are not new to the universe, but new to the state. So when it opens next spring, the retail roster at The Summit at Fritz Farm will include Bonobos, Cos Bar, Shake Shack, J. McLaughlin, Brooks Brothers, and — just signed this week — Marine Layer.
Edens to make Buckhead center over with local retailers

Andrews Square in the Buckhead section of Atlanta is being infused with local flavor. Signed as the new anchor at the center in the affluent neighborhood’s West Village section is Lucy’s Market, a purveyor of organics, fresh produce, and prepared meals owned by West Village resident Kim Wilson. Center owner Edens is in the midst of a makeover of Andrews Square intended to make it blend with the local landscape and culture.
Expanding Canadian menswear start-up makes U.S. debut

Surmesur, a custom menswear retailer, has dropped anchor in the United States. Surmesur, which blends traditional tailoring methods with technological innovation, recently opened its seventh store to date, and first in the United States, in Pittsburgh. It’s the first of several new stores the company plans to open in the coming months, including one in Chicago and other major centers both in the U.S. and in Canada.
Opening date set for center 10 years in the making

It’s official: The long-awaited Westfield World Trade Center in downtown Manhattan is finally ready to open its doors. Likely to become of the city’s most visited retail destinations, the shopping center will celebrate its grand opening on Aug. 16. With 365,000 sq. ft. of retail space, it will feature more than 100 global and local fashion, beauty, lifestyle and technology brands.