Apparel

Chico's FAS' profit and revenue declined in the second quarter amid same-store declines across all its banners.      The women's apparel retailer also named Mary van Praag as president of Soma, effective September 5, 2017.  She most recently served as CEO of Perricone MD. Prior to that, she held senior executive roles at Coty, and Johnson & Johnson's beauty division.  

Going private may take some pressure off a company, but it is not without its risks.   In June, the Nordstrom family, which owns 31.2% of the department store's stock, announced it planned to explore taking the company private. But in its latest quarterly filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Nordstrom executives warned of the potential risks that might come with a move, reported Puget Sound Business Journal.   

Roots has debuted a new experiential format that brings the iconic Canadian sportswear brand's heritage to life.   Roots' founders, Michael Budman and Don Green, are passionate about the outdoors, camping and Canada, and all three are reflected in the brand's new 5,100-sq.-ft. store, at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto.  The design of the space alludes to an open, modern cabin that showcases Roots' heritage and culture.  

J. Jill, which went public in March, reported earnings and sales that topped analysts estimates, but provided an outlook that slightly missed forecasts.    Net income totaled $11.9 million, or 28 cents a share, in the quarter ended July 29, up from $8.1 million, or 19 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Adjusted per-share earnings came to 29 cents, in line with estimates.  

VEREIT’s Cole Credit Property trust has acquired a thriving, value-oriented Wichita-area center.   The 100,000-sq.-ft. Derby Marketplace in Derby, Kansas, features Ross Dress for Less, TJ Maxx, and Hobby Lobby. It is shadow-anchored by Target and Dillons Marketplace.   Mid-America Real Estate brokered the sale in cooperation with RH Johnson on behalf of the seller, a private developer.

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An upscale department store retailer has a new way to bridge the gap between its online and offline shopping experiences.    Nordstrom is rolling out its Reserve Online & Try In-store service to approximately 40 stores across the country. As the program’s name implies, the service allows customers to select items online and try them on in person at their nearest Nordstrom store.  

With traditional anchors closing shop, malls nationwide are struggling to make themselves part of the entertainment business. None, however, are likely to do it as literally as Westfield’s Century City.  

Pacific Sunwear of California is stepping up its game to better connect with its mobile-savvy customers.   Through a partnership with PredictSpring, the teen apparel chain has launched a new mobile app experience — one that is faster and more and visually rich. For example, the new app links to Instagram Shop-the-Look, a service that allows customers to browse and purchase directly from the PacSun Instagram feed.