Apparel

Gap Inc. reported higher than expected sales for January and the fourth quarter, fueled by strong increases at Old Navy.    The retailer reported that net sales for the four-week period ended January 28, 2017 increased 2% to $828 million.    Total same-store sales for the month rose 1%, led by a 3% gain in the namesake brand and a 2% increase at Old Navy. The ailing Banana Republic continued to slump, with a 4% decrease.   

For the first time in more than 15 years, Abercrombie & Fitch is launching a new store format for its namesake banner.  

Eastern Outfitters, the parent company of Eastern Mountain Sports and Bob’s Stores, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.     The company listed assets and liabilities in the range of $100 million to $500 million in its filing        British sporting goods retailer Sports Direct International has engaged in extensive talks with Eastern Outfitters to become a stalking-horse bidder in a bankruptcy auction, Reuters reported.    

H&M is saying yes to what is being described as a “data dress.”   The fast-fashion retailer is teaming up with Google to create and sell frocks based on customer-specific data tracked by an Android app, reported The Verge.   

Dillard’s has signed an agreement to move into a shuttered Macy’s store at the Layton Hills Mall in Layton, Utah, north of Salt Lake City. Construction on the 160,000-sq.-ft. site is set to begin in April, looking toward a fall 2017 opening.  

A blockbuster deal in retail could be on the horizon. Or not.   Canada’s Hudson's Bay Company has approached Macy’s about a takeover, reported The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter.   The talks between the companies are in the early stages and could lead to something other than an acquisition, according to the Journal, such as a deal for Macy’s real estate, which could be valued at roughly $14 billion. The talks could also go nowhere.

Gap is testing an augmented reality app that lets shoppers "try on” its apparel without ever entering a store.    The app, called DressingRoom by Gap, lets customers virtually try on merchandise via their smartphone, according to a report by PSFK. It uses Avametric technology backed by the Google Tango platform and ASUS hardware.    

The Wet Seal has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in a little over two years.   The move comes after the struggling teen apparel retailer said it planned to close all its stores after it was unable to find a buyer or fresh capital.  The company’s website is still selling merchandise, with all goods discounted.