Apparel

Destination Maternity swings to loss in tough Q2
Moorestown, N.J. – Destination Maternity Corp. swung to a loss in a generally difficult second quarter of fiscal 2015.

Costs related to store closures and headquarters relocation helped drive the retailer to a net loss of $2.68 million from net income of $321,000 a year earlier.
J.C. Penney, Bluemercury to speak at Texas A&M Summit
Dallas – Some major retailers are participating in the 30th Retailing Summit conference hosted by The Texas A&M University’s Center for Retailing Studies at Mays Business School.

Marvin Ellison, the new CEO of The J.C. Penney Co. Inc. and Barry Beck, co-founder and COO of Bluemercury, which was recently purchased by Macy’s, will be among the speakers at the conference, held Oct. 8-9 at the Westin Galleria in Dallas.

RPAI adds retailers to Gateway Plaza

Oak Brook. Ill. - Retail Properties of America Inc. has signed two new leases at its Gateway Plaza shopping center located in Southlake, Texas. Buybuy Baby and Cost Plus World Market, at Gateway Plaza located in Southlake, Texas. Buybuy Baby and Cost Plus World Market are both expected to open in fourth quarter 2015.

The 365,200-sq.-ft. power center is anchored by Kohl's, T.J. Maxx, Old Navy, Ulta Beauty and Bed Bath & Beyond, as well as many other prominent national retailers and restaurants.
IHL: Softgoods retailers prefer these two POS vendors

Franklin, Tenn. – When it comes to their POS systems, specialty softgoods retailers have two clear preferences.
Bebe looks to China for growth

Brisbane, Calif. – Bebe Stores Inc. continues to expand its global presence.

Bebe announced it has signed a five-year strategic cooperation agreement with Shanghai-based brand agency Longgoal LLC to open between 60 and 150 Bebe stores, shop-in-shops and third-party retailers in Greater China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. The first store is expected to open in the summer of 2016.
Boot Barn kicks off Texas store openings

Irvine, Calif. – Boot Barn Holdings Inc. is kicking off a set of store openings in Texas with four new stores Aug. 28-30. Three of the new stores will be in the Houston market and one will be in Euless, outside of Fort Worth.
Noteworthy month for Simon's Premium Outlets division

Indianapolis -- Simon announced the opening of an additional 250,000 sq. ft. of outdoor shopping space, significantly increasing the footprint of Chicago Premium Outlets in Aurora, Illinois. New stores including Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Columbia Sportswear, UGG Australia, Vince, and the first Midwest outlet stores for Robert Graham and Clarins have joined existing brands such as Coach, Cole Haan, Michael Kors, Nike Factory Store, Skechers, Under Armour, and Vera Bradley who have expanded their presence.
Destination Xl sees more room for expansion

Specialty men’s retailer Destination XL Inc. reported Thursday that it shrank its net loss in the second quarter.
Carhartt opens flagship store where it all began

Workwear brand Carhartt has opened a flagship in the city where it was founded in 1889.
J. Crew swings to loss

New York — It was tough sledding for J. Crew Group in the second quarter as its namesake brand continued to decline. The retailer swung to a net loss of $13.6 million for the quarter, ended Aug. 1, compared with earnings of $10.8 million in the year-ago period. Revenue fell 5% to $593.6 million.
In The Pink lets customers direct promotions

Falmouth, Mass. – In The Pink wants its customers to feel connected.

The 10-store specialty chain, exclusively selling Lily Pulitzer branded merchandise, offers a product assortment that makes customers feel a high degree of personal connection. Building on this personal relationship, In The Pink allows customers to direct promotions – in the form of 21-second online videos.
Iconic, 100-years plus American brand opens store in birthplace

Detroit — Work wear brand Carhartt on Thursday opened a flagship in Detroit, the city where it was founded in 1889.