Apparel

Winter is coming — and not just to “Game of Thrones.”     A blast of cold air will move from the West Coast and across North America next week (Dec. 5-11), fueling demand for outerwear, gloves, hats, sweaters, heaters, and blankets, according to weather analytics company Planalytics.  

Move over Lululemon and Athletica, Sweaty Betty is moving onto your turf.   The London-based retailer of stylish activewear for women opened its ninth U.S. store — and third location in the Los Angeles area — on Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood, reported The Los Angeles Times, with a location in San Francisco up next.  

It’s been quite a tumultuous few years for American Apparel. Between its signature oversexed ad campaigns, founder and former CEO Dov Charney’s fall from grace, and ongoing financial trouble, there’s no shortage of controversy surrounding the apparel company. Most recently, American Apparel filed for bankruptcy for the second time in 13 months amid a $66 million acquisition by Montreal-based Gildan Activewear Inc.   

J.C. Penney is often associated with an older shopper demographic. But its comeback is being fueled, at least partially, by a surprising group.    Millennial moms now account for 45% of Penney's revenue, CNBC reported, and the group is also driving much of the growth in the company's sales and customer count.   

McLean, Virginia-based S2 Capital Partners has purchased an 8-acre center on the outskirts of Richmond with plans to build it out to its full potential.   The company paid $12 million for the 52,000-sq.-ft. Stonebridge Marketplace, and principal Rob Seidel told Richmond Biz Sense that it plans to add 7,200-sq.-ft. and 8,400-sq.-ft. buildings to fill out the strip that fronts a 123,000-sq.-ft. Kroger Marketplace.   Current tenants include Firestone, Panda Express, Mattress Firm, Qdoba, and AT&T.

Express reported a drop in third-quarter profit and slashed its full-year adjusted earnings outlook, warning that the holiday season will "remain challenging."   In recent days, an array of apparel retailers have expressed caution about the holiday selling season, including Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch  and American Eagle Outfitters.    Express earned $11.6 million, 15 cents per share, for the quarter ended Oct. 29, down from $26.3 million, or 31 cents per share, a year earlier.

It’s a rough time for many teen apparel retailers and the holiday season may not bring much relief.   American Eagle Outfitters Inc. on Wednesday issued a weaker than expected forecast for the fourth quarter as its CEO cited a “tough” retail environment. Its warnings issues similar statements from the likes of Abercrombie & Fitch and Gap.    

The ICSC New York Conference is one of the larger gatherings of retail real estate professional’s on the calendar – and is an important touch point for professionals in the NYC market. Ahead of the show, Bob Gibson, retail vice chairman of JLL, based in New York, shared his take on this expansive and important retail market.