Apparel

Macy’s opens the curtain on new off-price format
New York – Macy’s Inc. on Wednesday officially entered one of the industry’s fastest-growing store segments: off-price retail.

The company unveiled its newest banner, Macy’s Backstage, with the opening of three New York City -area stores, with locations in Brooklyn, Queens and Melville (on Long Island).
$750 million mixed-use Steelpointe Harbor set to redefine Bridgeport
Bridgeport, Conn. -- Bridgeport Landing Development, a subsidiary of The RCI Group, announced that the $50 million first phase of Steelpointe Harbor, located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, is scheduled to open later this year. Steelpointe Harbor is a two million sq. ft. super-regional waterfront project spanning 82 acres.

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Shoe Carnival eyes, ‘tremendous untapped opportunity’

New market entries, a newly developed small format and ambitious omnichannel efforts have family footwear retailer Shoe Carnival on a trajectory to surpass $1 billion in annual sales.
Macy's does off-price different in New York City

When Macy’s officially unveiled its first off-price stores in New York City on Wednesday, the retailer debuted some new features not commonly found in other discount stores.
GameStop gets into the collectibles business

Online retailer ThinkGeek is teaming up with GameStop on a new concept retail store focused entirely on collectibles.

The first store will open in the Florida Mall in Orlando on Sept. 25.
Shoe Carnival celebrates profit hike in Q2, plans new stores

Evansville, Ind. -- Shoe Carnival Inc. kicked up its heels about its profit in the second quarter, but missed on sales.

Aided by higher merchandise margins and lower advertising expenses, Shoe Carnival reported net earnings of $4.8 million, up 84% from $2.6 million a year earlier. Its results easily beat estimates.

Net sales rose 2% $227.8 million, less than expected, from $222.1 million. Same-store sales rose 0.5%.

Shoe Carnival plans to open 21 new stores and close 15 stores by the end of fiscal 2015.
Report: Forever 21 seeks smaller stores, loan

Los Angeles – Forever 21, known for operating some truly large stores, is reportedly rethinking that strategy.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the specialty fast-fashion retailer is also in talks to obtain a $150 million load.
Cool clothes in a high-tech store setting

New York -- Rebecca Minkoff has brought its “Store of the Future” concept to Los Angeles.
Nasty Gal makes LEDs the in-store standard

New York -- Teen fave Nasty Gal is deploying cutting-edge LED technology to show off its on-trend fashions.

The online retailer has opened two brick-and-mortar stores (one in Los Angeles and the other in Santa Monica), and both feature LEDs by Solais Lighting, a division of PowerSecure Lighting and part of PowerSecure International.
Gilt makes offline leap — but no walk-ins

New York -- Members of the flash sale site Gilt will soon be able to see close up some of the site’s designer deals on the popular website, complete with a personal stylist — but only if they book ahead.
Get your Gilt on at new showroom

In the latest example of clicks to bricks, online upscale discounter Gilt.com has launched a new service at its New York office that sounds a lot like what retailers call a “store.”