Apparel

The outdoor apparel retailer plans to open a flagship on Fifth Avenue, in the space formerly occupied by Canadian fast-fashion merchant Joe Fresh, the Real Deal reported.

The retailer signed an eight-year sublease from Joe Fresh for approximately 20,000 sq.ft. at Vornado Realty Trust’s landmarked building at 510 Fifth Avenue, according to the report. The space includes three levels of retail.

The North Face is also looking for a larger space in Manhattan’s SoHo area, the report said.

Dov Charney, the founder and ousted CEO of American Apparel, is scouting sites for a factory in South Central Los Angeles as he plots his comeback, Bloomberg reported.

Charney’s new venture reportedly will sell USA-made basics, starting off as a wholesale business and then expanding into a consumer online brand.

“I have a vision,” Charney told Bloomberg. “My business model works.”

Brand awareness and sales growth are accelerating at Duluth Holdings where the company’s rapidly expanding store base is so young it won’t be able to report same-store sale growth until 2017.

Belleville, Wisconsin-based Duluth Holdings, known to customers as Duluth Trading Company, grew sales 27.5% to $140.4 million and net income increased 25.8% to $17.5 million, or 58 cents a share, during the quarter ended Jan. 31. For the full year, total sales rose 31.2% to $304 billion. Net income grew 16.1% to $27.4 million, or $1.06 a share.

Durham, North Carolina -- InvenTrust Properties announced that it has acquired Renaissance Center, a 96% leased, 363,176 sq. ft. retail power center, in Durham, North Carolina, for $129.2 million.

Charlotte, N.C. -- Asana Partners announced Robin Hilliard has joined the company as managing director, responsible for merchandising and leasing.

RCS Real Estate Advisors has begun the process of selling Hancock Fabrics' 185 leases to generate value for the estate.

The move, which comes following Hancocks' February bankruptcy announcement represents the next step in the recent retention of RCS by Hancock Fabrics, debtor-in-possession (DIP) that has been approved by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

Hunter, the British brand best known for its signature boot, has landed in Japan with style, opening a 3,100-sq.-ft. flagship that targets fashion-focused customers.

Designed by Checkland Kindleysides in collaboration with Hunter creative director Alasdhair Willis, the two-level store features the distinctive DNA of the brand’s London flagship, which offers a modern spin on the British countryside, but in a less literal sense,

L Brands’ Victoria’s Secret division had a record year in 2015, which is why chairman and CEO Leslie Wexner believes now is the best time to narrow the brand’s focus and simplify the operating model to drive long-term growth.
 

Sears Holding Corp. is making a timely expansion to its seamless “Meet With An Expert” service as it looks to engage with shoppers this spring.

Sears has extended its “Meet With An Expert” service introduced last fall to its lawn and garden department. The free service allows online shoppers to schedule in-store appointments with experts in specific product areas.

In a not unexpected move, beleaguered teen apparel retailer Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy court protection.

In a court filing on Thursday in Delaware, the Anaheim, California-based retailer listed assets in the range of $50 million to $100 million and liabilities of between $100 million and $500 million. It listed Simon Property Group and Nike Inc. among its top creditors. The chain named RCS Real Estate Advisors, New York, as its real estate advisor.