Apparel

MBH Architects, Alameda, California, announced the appointment of a new principal, Dimple Manghani, who previously led the retail team as a senior associate and studio director.

A licensed architect and a LEED accredited professional, Dimple has 12 years experience building relationships with such clients as Williams-Sonoma, Levi’s, and H&M. Additionally, she is responsible for the acquisition of the firm’s luxury retail clients, including Dior and Tiffany & Co.

Howard Hughes Corp. has added a fast-growing Dutch fashion brand to its lineup for its Seaport District revitalization project in lower Manhattan.

The developer has signed a lease with Scotch & Soda to set up shop in the shopping area which, when completed, will encompass seven buildings on several city blocks totaling over 365,000 sq. ft., with a mix of dining, shopping, entertainment and cultural offerings.

A total of 425 new H&M stores are slated to open this year, including the new market of Puerto Rico, and the fast fashion retailer also will expand its e-commerce efforts to Japan and 10 additional markets.

The global retailer disclosed its aggressive physical and digital growth plans with the release of financial results for the period ended Feb. 29, which were negatively affected by the strong U.S. dollar. H&M is based in Stockholm, Sweden.

The sporting goods industry could be facing another major retail bankruptcy filing.

Vestis Retail Group, parent company of Eastern Mountain Sports, Sport Chalet and Bob’s Stores is preparing to file for Chapter 11 protection, according to Bloomberg.

Vestis Retail Group, which is owned by private equity firm Versa Capital Management LLC, could file as soon as next week, the report said.

Swedish retailer H&M will opens its 4,000th store as its expands its global footprint and ramps up e-commerce in 2016.

The company plans to open a total of 425 new stores this year, and expand its e-commerce efforts to Japan and 10 additional markets.

The global retailer disclosed its aggressive physical and digital growth plans with the release of financial results for the period ended Feb. 29, which were negatively affected by the strong U.S. dollar.

The number of Saks Off 5th stores will surge dramatically as will investments in technology as Hudson’s Bay Company said it will make higher than normal investments in growth initiative this year.

Two major sustainability initiatives from H&M begin this month as the fast fashion retailer debuts a new line from Conscious Commerce co-founders Olivia Wilde and Barbara Burchfield and kicks off an apparel recycling effort.

The H&M Conscious Exclusive collection from Wilde and Burchfield will be available online at hm.com and in 165 stores beginning April 7. Meanwhile, H&M is set to begin is World Recycle Week initiative on April 18 which allows customers who drop off clothes at in-store collections bins to receive a 30% discount coupon.

Apparently shifts in weather patterns have thrown yet another curve ball to the traditional retail industry.

Whether customers at its stores are looking for convenient digital payment or easy access to product and price information, vertical specialty retailer Fossil Group Inc. is uncovering new mobile-enabled store services.

Richardson, Texas-based Fossil has selected in-store technology from Aptos Inc. (formerly Epicor Retail Solutions) including the vendor’s Mobile Store POS application. The company will initially deploy the solution at about 500 of its more than 600 corporate stores.

On the heels of soaring profits and revenues in the fourth quarter, Hudson’s Bay Company said it will make higher than normal investments in growth initiatives this year, including a dramatic increase in the number of Saks Off 5th stores, store renovations and investments in technology.