Apparel

London – Natalie Massenet, founder and chairman of U.K.-based online luxury retailer Net-a-Porter, unexpectedly resigned from the company just as it looks to become a global powerhouse.

The former fashion journalist is leaving as Net-a-Porter, which she launched in 2000, prepares to be purchased from Swiss parent company Richemont by Italian e-commerce retailer Yoox. The merger will create the world’s largest luxury e-commerce group.

Internet retailers entering the physical space continues to be a growing trend, if the new Sole Society store in Santa Monica, Calif., is any indication.

The company opened the doors to its first brick-and-mortar retail store at Santa Monica Place this week. Launched in 2011, the Los Angeles-based online footwear brand kicked up buzz by delivering stylish $100-and-under shoes directly to consumers' doors. 

The founder and chairman of U.K.-based online luxury retailer Net-a-Porter has unexpectedly resigned from the company ahead of a merger with another e-commerce group.

Fueled in part by increased pharmacy sales, Fred’s reported Thursday that its August sales hit $165.6 million this year, up 12% over August 2014.

The CEO of Genesco Inc. says the company had strong sales despite the later start to the back-to-school season and some pressures to right-size inventories.

Cedar Hill, Texas -- Trademark Property Co. announced that it has broken ground on its multi-million dollar renovation of Hillside Village, formerly Uptown Village at Cedar Hill, located in Cedar Hill, Texas.

Fairfax, Va. -- One of the Web’s leading “geek-gear” and collectibles retailer is going offline.

Online retailer ThinkGeek is partnering with its new owner, GameStop, to open a new store format focused entirely on collectibles. The first ThinkGeek store will open in the Florida Mall in Orlando, on Sept. 25, and additional stores are planned.

Los Angeles -- The latest online brand to try out brick-and-mortar is a women’s footwear and accessories retailer known for its on-trend styles and affordable prices.

Sole Society on Wednesday opened its first brick-and-mortar store, at Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica. California.

Louisville, Ky. -- A new off-price outlet concept that opened its first store in November 2014 is expanding.

Retail4LESS announced the opening of two new locations in Kentucky — one in Madisonville, and the second in Franklin — with both due to open in the late fall.

The opening of the two new stores will mark the first new stores for the off-price retailer since the launch of its inaugural location last year, in its home base of Louisville.

Toronto – Real estate transactions helped Sears Canada swing to a profit in the second quarter even as revenue and same-store sales decreased.

The retailer on Wednesday reported net earnings of $13.5 million, compared to a net loss of $21.3 million the same quarter a year earlier. The company, which has been working to turn around its business, also announced additional cost-cutting plans and real-estate sales.