Apparel

As it prepares to enter “a high-growth period” for its online business, Solstice Sunglasses needed a solution that could support this endeavor and future expansion plans.   Solstice, a retailer with 105 store locations throughout the U.S,  strives to offer the same level of service to both online and in-store customers looking for luxury, designer and sport sunglasses. To achieve this goal, the company selected the ncommerce platform, an end-to-end digital commerce platform from Newgistics.  

Charlotte Russe is taking steps to blend its online and offline experiences.    The young women’s apparel specialty chain recently added a mobile commerce platform from PredictSpring designed to deliver a next-generation app to its customers. The app delivers the three key elements most demanded by Charlotte Russe’s customer: speed, flexibility, and a smooth blend of the online and offline brand experience.  

Jeff Gennette, who is set to take the reins of Macy’s Inc. from longtime chief executive Terry Lundgren in approximately one week, gave some hints of how Macy’s store experience is likely to evolve.     

Despite the growth of online shopping, brick and mortar stores are still critical to retail success.   “Retail stores are not dead,” said Shelley E. Kohan, VP of retail consulting at RetailNext Inc. “The retailers who continue to embrace change in their business models will be well positioned for today and in the future."  

A strong performance in Asia helped Tiffany & Co. beat fourth quarter expectations even as sales as its U.S. stores sagged.   The luxury jeweler reported net income of $157.8 million, or $1.26 per share, for the quarter ended Jan. 31, compared with $163.2 million, or $1.28 per share, in the year-ago period. Adjusted for asset impairment costs, per-share earnings were $1.45, beating the per-share earnings of $1.37 that industry analysts had expected.  

Jones Lang LaSalle has announced the hiring of two new vice presidents to handle leasing of third-party-managed retail properties in West Coast markets.  

Walmart continues to grow both its e-commerce and fashion presence.    On Friday, the discounter announced it had acquired the assets and operations of online retailer ModCloth, which specializes in eclectic and quirky apparel and accessories for 18- to 35-year-old women. The company did not reveal the purchase price.  

The payment company hopes its newest wearables concept will have a bright future.   Visa unveiled a prototype for payment-enabled sunglasses on Monday, March 13, simultaneously at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, and the Quiksilver Pro and Roxy Pro surf competitions in Gold Coast, Australia, according to CNBC.