Apparel

Boston-based sporting goods retailer City Sports has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and plans to liquidate at least a quarter of its stores.

According to the Wall Street Journal, City Sports said it has a deal with liquidators Tiger Capital Group to hold going-out-of-business sales at eight of the company’s 26 stores, which are scattered throughout the Northeast from Massachusetts to Washington, D.C.

Specialty athletic retailer The Finish Line Inc. is trying to reposition its brand with a new initiative that cuts across channels. Called “Epic Finish,” Finish Line says the repositioning goes beyond a typical marketing campaign.

Whatever you have planned for Saturday, Oct. 10, specialty apparel retailer Ross Dress for Less will probably be busier.

The Ross Stores Inc. banner is opening six new stores, including three in a new market, as well as relocating a store.

British retailer John Lewis has opened one of its largest department stores ever, in the just-opened Grand Central shopping center in Birmingham.

The four-level, 250,000-sq.-ft. department store has a strikingly contemporary design and features several new services and concepts, including a new fashion and lifestyle department, loved&found, and the first John Lewis-branded spa, &Beauty. There is also a market stall-styled food offering, The Place to Eat.

Citing favorable market conditions and a desire to “de-risk” its pension plan, nearly 14,000 participants in J.C. Penney’s retirement plan opted to receive lump sum payments.

It’s been a busy fall for hip eyewear marketer Warby Parker.

The company opened its first permanent location in Washington, D.C., in the Georgetown section.

The 1,230-sq.-ft. store features Warby Parker’s signature classic library design, with custom brass library lamps, suspended globe lighting, chevron wood flooring, walnut shelving, and banquette seating for reading and relaxing.

It’s no secret that e-commerce is continuing to grow as a portion of holiday shopping volume. But a newer trend shows that holiday e-commerce growth is shifting away from the desktop channel. According to a new survey from digital promotion platform RetailMeNot Inc., mobile app visits and transactions closed on desktop visits and transactions during the 2014 holiday season. If the trend keeps pace in 2015, mobile visits and transactions will surpass desktop visits and transactions as a holiday e-commerce channel.

Lauren Hobart has been elevated to the role of executive VP at Dick’s Sporting Goods and given responsibility for a potential new growth vehicle. Hobart was named executive VP, CMO and general manager of Dick’s new women’s specialty fitness store format, which is branded as Chelsea Collective. Only two store are in operation currently, in McLean, Virginia. and Pittsburgh, but greater growth could be in store now that Dick’s has given a senior executive oversight of the concept.

Photos: Dalziel & Pow, London

Chico’s is looking to a veteran of Victoria’s Secret to help the company navigate some troubling times. The company announced that Cynthia A. Fields has been appointed to its board of directors, effective immediately. Fields was also appointed to the board's merchant committee.