Apparel

Nation’s favorite fashion retailer is…
For the fourth consecutive year, a department store has nabbed the top spot in a survey of the nation’s favorite fashion retailers.

Nordstrom took the top spot in the study, by Market Force Information. Interestingly, several discount retailers moved up the list this year, with Marshalls landing in the No. 2 spot. H&M and Ross Dress for Less tied for third, Kohl’s was fourth and Macy’s was fifth.
Divaris’ Washington, D.C. team completes five leases
Washington, D.C. -- Gerald S. Divaris, chairman and CEO of Divaris Real Estate, announced the company negotiated five leases totaling 17,469 sq. ft. of commercial space in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., market.

Wash ‘N Dry - leased 5,792 sq. ft. of retail space at Ashdale Plaza located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Retailers at the center include: Family Dollar, Popeye’s, Wells Fargo, Goodwill and Davita. The landlord, A.R. Kronstadt Realty Investors, was represented by DRE’s Susan McGee.

Nordstrom teases New Yorkers with a glimpse of the future

Nordstrom revealed dramatic plans for a massive and elaborate flagship in Manhattan designed to wow residents of a city accustomed to the best retailers have to offer.

The approximately 363,000-sq.-ft. store will encompass four individual properties in the Columbus Circle neighborhood of Manhattan, along Broadway between West 57th and West 58th Streets. Slated to open in 2019, it will be the retailer’s second largest store to date (the largest, at 383,000 sq. ft., is in its Seattle hometown).
Online jewelry retailer continues leap into brick-and-mortar

Blue Nile made its brick-and-mortar debut last June, and the company is so pleased with the results that it plans to add more stores.

The online jeweler announced it will open its second physical outpost, at the Westchester Mall in White Plains, New York, by early summer. It is the first of up to four locations the company plans to open this year.
World to get glimpse of Canadian cool at summer Olympics

The contingent of athletes representing Canada at this summer’s Olympic games in Brazil will be feeling strong and confident during the opening ceremonies thanks to a new design deal announced by Hudson’s Bay Company.

Hudson's Bay, Canada's iconic retailer, announced that Dean and Dan Caten, Dsquared2 will design the outfit for Team Canada for the Opening Ceremonies at the upcoming 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio.
Cabela’s elevates exec to new role of president

Cabela’s EVP and Chief Commercial Officer Scott Williams has been elevated to the role of president and given additional responsibilities in a move that positions him to succeed longtime CEO Tommy Millner.

Williams will continue to report to Millner. Williams will take on additional responsibility for U.S. retail operations and all operations in Canada.
Tax refunds arrive later and that's a problem for Citi Trends

Same store sales literally fell off a cliff at Citi Trends in the waning days of the fourth quarter and the operator of 522 urban fashion stores is attributing the weakness to the federal government.
JCPenney targets millennials with new private brand

One of the major components of JCPenney's transformation strategy is getting a boost this week when the retailer launches its new Belle + Sky collection aimed at millennials.
Outlets on fire as occupancy rate set new record

So much for the argument that the U.S. market is saturated with retail stores and e-commerce is hurting mall traffic. Tanger Factory Outlet Centers brought four new properties online in 2015 and still managed to achieve a portfolio occupancy rate in excess of 95% for the 35th consecutive year.
Skechers plans for remarkable year include 'a lot' more stores

Surpassing $3 billion in annual sales last year was a big deal for Skechers and now CEO Robert Greenberg is banking on the addition of more than 300 new stores to help the company set another sales record in 2016.

Skechers plans to open between 330 and 340 stores this year, projecting it will have a year-end total of 1,650 locations, of which 575 will be company owned. The accelerated pace of expansion is easy to understand given the powerful contribution the company’s physical footprint had on its fourth quarter and full year sales and profit performance.
Skechers plans for remarkable year include global store expansion

Surpassing $3 billion in annual sales last year was a big deal for Skechers and now CEO Robert Greenberg is banking on the addition of more than 300 new stores to help the company set another sales record in 2016.
Bankrupt apparel retailer gets OK for sale of store leases

Women’s apparel retailer Joyce Leslie is calling it a day.

The company announced that it has received approval from the U.S. Federal Bankruptcy Court for a sale of its intellectual property and retail store leases, along with the lease of its corporate office and distribution center.