Apparel

Pros and Cons-truction: Challenges, best practices of unique retail buildouts
For developers, architects and commercial construction professionals, designing and building retail spaces is a highly specialized skill that requires experience and considerable expertise to master. While brand standards, design consistency and proven buildout processes lead to some welcome efficiencies, sometimes unavoidable constraints and specific requirements that are mandated both by retailers and landlords can also create unique logistical and development challenges.
ONE DAYTONA showcases meaning of ‘mixed-use’
The 300,000-sq.-ft. ONE DAYTONA mixed-use project isn’t scheduled to open for another 18 months, but when it does the unique project looks to set a new benchmark for mixed-use retail real estate developments.

It’s not all gloom and doom: April sales surprise

While you wouldn’t know it from first-quarter slump among department stores, total retail sales posted their biggest increase in April in a year, allaying fears of a consumer falloff.
Mixed bag for Penney: Sales fall, but profit tops forecasts

J.C. Penney continued a pattern set by Macy’s, Kohl’s and Nordstrom and reported dismal first quarter sales as traffic declined. Penney’s sales for the quarter fell to 1.6% to $2.81 billion, below analysts’ forecasts of $2.92 billion, from $2.86 billion in the year-ago quarter, as traffic declined and cool weather dampened demand for apparel. Same-store sales slipped 0.4%.
Three ways virtual reality will transform customer experience

Virtual reality (VR) has been gaining traction in retail recently, with major retailers turning to the bleeding-edge technology as a customer engagement tool. But how exactly is VR poised to change the ways consumers interact with and buy products from retailers? Here are three key ways. A full view
Nordstrom joins retail bloodbath

Even luxury department stores got no love from shoppers in the first quarter. Following a pattern set by Macy’s and Kohl’s, Nordstrom reported dismal results for the first quarter, including a steep drop in profit, with the only positive sign being the company’s off-price division. The retailer lowered its full-year outlook.
Spring retail funk hits Kohl’s as Q1 profit plunges

Call it a spring retail funk. The day after Macy’s posted disappointing results for its first quarter, Kohl’s Corp. upped the ante, reporting an 87% drop in net income amid heavy one-time costs. Kohl’s net income for the three months that ended April 30, was $17 million, down 87% from the $127 million Kohl's earned in the year-ago period. Excluding impairments, store closings and one-time costs, net income was $58 million, down 55%.
Online retailer stops shipping to South Dakota as tax battle heats up

Folks in the state of South Dakota can no longer buy baubles from popular online jewelry retailer Blue Nile.
Rough going for Macy’s

Macy’s on Wednesday reported its fifth consecutive decline in same-store sales, and announced plans to improve its performance, from new product launches to more off-price shops. The nation’s largest department retailer also reduced its sales and earnings guidance for the year. Similar to many retailers, Macy’s is challenged by an overall retail environment marked by sluggish traffic, increased competition and cautious consumers.
Bon-Ton exec joins Gordmans’ management team

Gordmans Stores has appointed Michael F. Ricart senior VP stores, effective May 9, 2016. Ricart joins Gordmans from Bon-Ton Stores Inc. where he was senior VP stores since 2012. He the company in 1999 as a regional VP stores and has held several roles of increasing responsibility during his 16 years tenure. Prior to Bon-Ton Stores, he held multiple positions in buying and store operations at Macy's.
Gap Q1 sales plummet; talks streamlining

The nation’s largest U.S. apparel retailer is looking to streamline its model. Amid first quarter same-store sales declines across all its brands, Gap Inc. said it is identifying opportunities to streamline its business to be more efficient and flexible. The retailer also is evaluating its Banana Republic and Old Navy store fleets, mostly outside of North America, with an eye to sharpening its focus on geographies with the greatest potential.
Specialty retailer orders better merchandising management

Canadian footwear and accessory retailer The Aldo Group is not ignoring the back end when it comes to supporting seamless commerce. Aldo is deploying the CGS BlueCherry B2B e-commerce solution to enable its buyers to select assortments and receive confirmed orders virtually anywhere and anytime. With more than 2,500 points of sale and nearly 2,000 retail stores across the globe, Aldo is always trying to better engage its large network of wholesale and franchisee retail buyers.