Apparel

When Chico’s FAS wanted to put the “customer’s voice” into the merchandise it designs, it took a bold step — and tapped social media.   

Indochino's recently opened showroom at West Edmonton Mall showcases the omnichannel brand's stylish approach to customized menswear apparel.   The 3,200-sq.-ft. space features eye-catching graphics, both on the exterior and interior, along with video screens that convey the brand's message of offering a “luxury tailoring experience without the high price tag.”   

Pinterest is giving its image-based search engine an upgrade.   Pinterest introduced Lens in February. Since then, users have been pointing their mobile cameras at objects they see out in the real world, from apparel and accessories to decor, and Lens serves up similar styles or related information on their mobile device’s screen.   

J. Crew just bought itself some more time with its lenders.   Lenders holding approximately 88% of the outstanding principal amount of loans under J. Crew’s term loan agreement have approved a term amendment. The amendment, initially proposed in mid-June, was offering to exchange its $566.6 million of outstanding pay-in-kind notes due 2019. The notes were issued by Chinos Intermediate Holdings, an indirect parent to J.Crew.  

The first enclosed mall on Massachusetts South Shore will undergo a $40 million conversion to an open-air center under the ownership of a spun-off unit of Phillips Edison & Company.   The 732,000-sq.-ft. Hanover Mall in Pembroke Massachusetts — anchored by Macy’s, Sears, and Walmart — was purchased last fall by PECO Real Estate Partners, which operates under the name PREP. Built in 1971 and last renovated in 2004, the center has direct access to Route 3, the major thoroughfare joining towns south of Boston.

Sears Canada could file for Chapter 11 sooner than expected.   The struggling offshoot of Sears Holdings Corp., is preparing to seek court protection against its creditors. The filing — which could happen within weeks — will likely lead to a liquidation, with the business sold off in pieces, sources told Bloomberg.  

As a number of traditional chains across the industry continue to struggle, TJX Cos. is being called one of the country’s fastest growing retailers.   Traditional retailers industry-wide are blaming shifting consumer tastes, digital options and new competitors for not only stealing their wallet share, but for declining foot traffic and related sales. However, this could not be farther from the truth for TJX Cos.  

Apparel is at a tipping point. E-commerce currently accounts for 17%-20% of total apparel sales in the U.S. Historically, when e-commerce surpasses the 20% threshold of a retail category Amazon comes in and makes a big wave, because Amazon is the main beneficiary of e-commerce capturing half of all growth in online retail. We’ve witnessed it time and time again in both media and electronics, and now it’s happening in apparel.