Apparel

Sears Canada has come up with an innovative way to appeal to back-to-school shoppers -- especially those parents who have kids who don't wear uniforms to school.

The retailer has launched the KidVantage Grow Out Guarantee, "created to take the stress and guesswork out of back-to-school shopping." The KidVantage Grow Out Guarantee promises that if your child grows out of an article of clothing purchased at Sears, you can exchange it for the next size up before the end of the current school year.

Lands' End is targeting all the shoppers who put "new uniforms" on their back-to-school lists this year with a brand new and improved uniform assortment.

Lynnwood, Wash. – Specialty sports retailer Zumiez Inc. had a fizzling July. Net sales decreased 2% to $61.4 million, from $62.8 million the same four-week period a year earlier. Same-store sales dropped 7.6%.

Minneapolis – Target Corp. is offering a limited-time promotion aimed at back-to-school shoppers that provides free shipping for all U.S. online orders. The promotion, which runs through Aug. 15, also includes free returns on all orders, with some restrictions on oversize items.

New York -- Nike has given its Seattle flagship a makeover that includes technology to help customers select running shoes that are the perfect match for their feet and gait.  

Located on Sixth Avenue and Pike Street, the store incorporates unique design elements, including a custom neon sculpture celebrating sport icons and a number of the city's cultural symbols. An art installation signed by Seattle Seahawks players honors Seattle's sports fans.

San Francisco -- JLL has tapped an industry veteran from one of the world’s largest retail chains to drive its global business strategy and cross-border expansion.

The company named David Zoba as chairman of its Global Retail Leasing Board, effective immediately. Zoba brings 30 years of experience to the firm and most recently served as senior VP of global real estate and store development at Gap Inc., which he joined in 2009.

New York -- The nation’s premier luxury department store company wants to return to the public arena.

Neiman Marcus Group has filed plans for an initial public offering — for the second time in two years — of $100 million (the sum is a placeholder that doesn’t necessarily reflect the final offering amount.) The company said it would trade under the ticker symbol NMG.

Neiman Marcus plans to grow sales by investing in technology, working with new designers and expanding its footprint, according to IPO paperwork the retailer filed with the SEC.

Boot Barn says its integration of the Sheplers chain helped the company report is 23rd consecutive increase in quarterly same store sales.

Outdoor wear retailer Patagonia is trying to revolutionize the way denim is manufactured, sold and worn with a new collection.

Patagonia's new denim collection is made with environmentally friendly dye, Fair Trade Certified sewing practices, and 100% organic cotton grown without pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers.