Apparel

On pace to double its online business for fiscal 2016, apparel retailer J. Lindeberg is ready to take control of its e-commerce destiny.    The company, known for its men's and women's fashion and golf apparel and accessories, recently launched in Canada, and now has its sights set on digital expansion into North and South America. At the core of this expansion is bringing its operating platform in-house.  

Burlington Stores is promoting three key executives, with the appointments all effective January 30, 2017.   The appointments include the following:    • Jennifer Vecchio, executive VP/chief merchandising officer since May 2015, will be promoted to the newly created role of chief merchandising officer/principal, and will assume responsibility for the merchandise planning, allocation and MIO functions.  

Eloquii, a fashion-forward online apparel retailer for women sizes 14 to 28, plans to test a physical store.   The retailer plans to open a “concept shop” in Fashion Centre at Pentagon City in Arlington, Va., Women’s Wear Daily reported. The 2,600-sq.-ft. store is scheduled to open in March.     Although only a three-month lease was signed, Eloquii executives see the store as a test to determine the potential for a brick-and-mortar strategy, the report said.

Watch out millennials, Gen Z is coming on strong.   With Generation Z expected to comprise 40% of the North American population by 2020, retailers must address the needs of this generation and understand its purchasing power in households, according to a survey conducted by HRC Retail Advisory.  

Over the last decade, the retail industry has evolved substantially. E-commerce continues to outpace brick-and-mortar strategy, dramatically changing the way consumers shop. Accommodating new consumer preferences requires brands -- from corporate executives to field managers to in-store associates -- to communicate, and regularly evaluate the in-store customer experience.   

Nordstrom is giving shoppers a new way to earn loyalty points.   As of Friday, Jan. 20, Nordstrom Rewards members will earn points toward Nordstrom Notes when they use their Nordstrom credit and debit cards at the chain’s Trunk Club division, a personalized styling service for men and women, offering both virtual and in-person shopping options.   Additionally, Trunk Club will waive its $25 home try-on fee when shoppers order curated trunks of clothing using their Nordstrom card. 

A mixed-use project with 103,000 sq. ft. of retail in the western suburbs of Chicago has been purchased by Retail Properties of America for $88 million.   Main Street Promenade, a town center style development in Naperville, is 93% leased and includes tenants such as Ann Taylor, Sur la Table, White House | Black Market, and Anthropologie.   

Wayfair has tapped into analytics with an unusual goal: to rank its most enthusiastic football fans ahead of the Super Bowl.    By using analytics to tap sales data of its NFL merchandise, Wayfair pinpointed its most enthusiastic team fan bases — and where they reside. The online retailer’s results are based on overall sales of licensed merchandise sold on its NFL Fan Shop during the 2016-2017 NFL season (Sept. 8, 2016-Jan. 15, 2017).