Apparel

Sales at Claire's fall in Q4
Claire's Stores blamed currency exchange rates and store cloures for its decrease in revenue in the fourth quarter.

The specialty retailer said that for the period ended Jan. 30, net sales were $402.6 million, a decrease of $9.8 million, or 2.4% compared to the fiscal 2014 fourth quarter. The company said the decrease was attributable to an unfavorable foreign currency translation effect of non-U.S. net sales, the effect of store closures, decreased shipments to franchisees and a 0.2% decrease in same-store sales.
Supplier survey bodes well for retail sales
If the major suppliers of soft goods such as clothing and accessories to retail stores are a bellwether of the economy, then the coming months are looking to provide a jolt as 75% of these suppliers expect retail sales to significantly outpace the gross domestic product for the spring and summer shopping season.

That’s one of the major findings of a new survey conducted by Capital Business Credit.

American Apparel taps retail vet as chairman

As it moves to distance itself from the turbulence that marked its past two years, American Apparel Inc. has named three apparel industry executives to its revamped board of directors.

The retailer, which emerged from bankruptcy protection in February, appointed Paul R. Charron, former CEO of Liz Claiborne, as chairman, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Lululemon strikes familiar growth pose

To drive growth in 2016 Lululemon will again rely on a rapid pace of store expansion and an e-commerce fueled same-store sales increase after that combination enabled the company to achieve record results and surpass annual sales of $2 billion in 2015.

Lululemon dramatically increased its selling space last year, adding 57 new stores to a base of 316 stores to end the year with 363 units. The surge in new store construction is understandable given that Lululemon’s sales per square foot of roughly $1,500 is among the highest in retail.
Ikea partners with fashion designers to launch collections

Ikea has formed an unprecedented partnership with fashion designers to launch new limited edition collections in Canada.

Between April and September, Ikea will be launching three new collections created in collaboration with fashion designers from across Europe. The move marks the first time that Ikea has teamed up with fashion designers to create collections that respond directly to current trends and fuse various influences to give customers cutting-edge design at affordable prices.
CityCenter enters into agreement to sell The Shops at Crystals in Las Vegas

Las Vegas -- CityCenter Holding -- a venture between MGM Resorts International and Infinity World Development Corp. -- announced that it has entered into an agreement with a venture led by Invesco Real Estate and Simon Property Group to acquire The Shops at Crystals in Las Vegas, for a purchase price of approximately $1.1 billion.
City style retailing is on its way to Sunrise, Florida

Sunrise, Fla. -- Metropica Holdings and KGH International Development announced that construction is on track for the retail vertical portion to begin this summer and is underway on the residential component for Metropica, located in Sunrise, Florida. Metropica is a transit-oriented mixed-use complex encompassing 65 acres and more than 4 million sq. ft. of retail, world-class residential, commercial, hotel, conference and public spaces.
Ex-PwC partner joins Children's Place board

The Children’s Place has appointed an expert in financial auditing to its board.

The compay said John E. (“Jeb”) Bachman has been named to the company’s board of directors, effective immediately. Bachman will serve as an independent Class I Director and will stand for election at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Bachman will serve on the audit committee.
CBRE appoints Steven H. Gartner to managing director of retail

Philadelphia -- CBRE Group announced that Steven H. Gartner has been appointed to managing director of retail for the Greater Pennsylvania Region. Gartner will lead CBRE’s retail brokerage platform throughout the region, driving growth and creating a cohesive and collaborative service offering for retail clients, as well as continue to actively maintain strategic client relationships both in Philadelphia and across the country.
Foot Locker treads new territory on Wall Street

Following a record performance in 2015, Foot Locker has become the newest member of the S&P 500 index, which bodes well for the performance of the company’s share price.

After the close of trading on Friday, April 1, Foot Locker will replace oil and gas equipment services provider Cameron International as the newest constituent in the S&P 500 index, according to a statement by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a part of McGraw Hill Financial. A spot on the S&P 500 index opened up after Cameron was acquired by Schlumberger Ltd.
Hot brand opening pop-ups in hotels

One of the most buzzed-about retail brands is setting up shop — temporarily — in some hip hotels.

Canadian apparel retailer Kit and Ace is opening a a series of pop-ups in collaboration with luxury hotels in major cities across the globe. The pop-up, called “The Carry-on,” will make its debut in April, at the Hotel Zetta in San Francisco (for full listing, see end of article). It will offer a selection of easy-pack, carry-on essentials from Kit and Ace.
Destination Maternity gives turnaround update; loses CFO

Destination Maternity says its turnaround efforts are working to drive long-term growth despite a decrease in same-store sales during the fourth quarter.

The company said that for the fourth quarter ended Jan. 30, same-store sales decreased 3.5%. The retailer's net loss improved to $3.1 million compared to a net loss of $17 million in the prior year quarter. Net sales were $118.3 million, compared with $121.2 million for the comparable three month in 2015.