Apparel

Ross Dress for Less is opening new stores under both its namesake and dd’s Discounts banners. The specialty apparel retailer will open a 25,000-sq.-ft. Ross Dress for Less store in Twin Falls, Idaho, on Oct. 10.

This store is the 11th new Ross Dress for Less location in Idaho. The opening is part of the retailer’s 2015 expansion program, totaling approximately 70 new locations during the year.

Most consumers would prefer to buy products from nearby stores. Shoe Carnival Inc., an Evansville, Indiana-based specialty footwear retailer with 404 stores, is responding to that preference with a new local marketing initiative.

Shoe Carnival has implemented the SIM Partners Velocity local marketing automation platform, to scale local search marketing in an effort to drive incremental in-store traffic and sales, as well as improve the overall customer experience.

After an initial public stock offering earlier this year, Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings has added public company governance experience to its board with the appointment of Rue21’s top executive.

Ollie’s said Robert Fisch, chairman, president and CEO of specialty apparel retailer Rue21 had joined its board and increased to seven the number of members. Prior to Rue21, Fisch was president of Casual Corner Group and he has also served as a board member at Children’s Place Retail Stores.

Adidas is taking its act on the road with a futuristic-looking pop-up that lets shoppers get up close and personal with its high-tech footwear.

The “Boost Experience by Adidas” is an interactive mobile store that is touring the country’s premier running events. It made its debut at the San Francisco Marathon. In all, 14 stops are planned, with a schedule that continues into 2016.

Fayetteville, N.C. -- GBT Realty Corporation announced that it has closed on The Shoppes of Fayetteville, a 15-acre site, located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, for $5 million. The 126,500-sq.-ft. center is in the midst of a $25 million redevelopment scheduled to be completed in summer 2016.

In a retail world focused on omnichannel strategies, product and service innovations, IT investments and technology-enabled stores of the future, winning retailers are taking a new look at their store labor models and budgets. Store associates represent one of the biggest contributors to the success or failure of brick-and-mortar stores. In many ways, they are a retailer’s most powerful asset.

Ross Dress for Less is expanding its store base in Colorado. The specialty apparel retailer will open a new store in Fort Collins, Colorado on Oct. 10.

The 25,000-sq.-ft. relocation is in the newly renovated Renaissance on the Front Range development (previously Foothills Mall). The opening is part of the retailer’s 2015 expansion program, totaling approximately 70 new locations during the year.

Pervasive online price comparisons, the growing popularity of Amazon.com and intense omnichannel activity can be expected this holiday season, according to new consumer research by Market Track.

The J.C. Penney Co. Inc. is reportedly planning to overhaul how it serves plus-size customers with a new in-store and online format called “The Boutique.” According to Women’s Wear Daily, Penney will open dedicated plus-size “The Boutique” sections of 12 stores

Nordstrom Inc. has opened its first international flagship location. The luxury retailer opened its new store at Pacific Centre inVancouver, British Columbiaon Friday, Sept. 18.

The 230,000-sq.-ft. flagship store offers a curated selection of merchandise from accessible to luxury price points.