Apparel

Same store sales push up at L Brands
L Brands Inc. continues to surpass expectations as the parent company of Bath and Body Works and Victoria's Secret reported a bump in same store sales.

The company said net sales increased 3% to $1.207 billion for the five weeks ended July 4, compared to net sales of $1.176 billion for the five weeks ended July 5, 2014. Same store store sales for the five weeks ended July 4, 2015, increased 3%.
Spotlight on Men's Wearhouse CEO
The menswear market is hot. Men’s apparel sales in the United States rose 2% in 2014 to $61.3 billion, up from $60.8 billion in 2013.

And Men’s Wearhouse — one of North America’s largest menswear specialty retailers with 1,758 stores — has been taking note.

LVMH says A-OK to AT&T

Paris – Luxury retail group LVMH has re-appointed AT&T as its global supplier for advanced communications services. In a four-year, multi-million-dollar agreement, AT&T will connect more than 4,500 LVMH sites in more than 100 countries.
More retailers dump Trump

New York – Retailers are continuing to cut ties with real estate developer and Republican presidential primary candidate Donald Trump in the wake of his recent disparaging comments about Mexican immigrants.

Following in the footsteps of Macy’s, off-price retailers T.J. Maxx and Marshalls have said they will no longer sell branded Trump apparel and accessories. And that’s not the end of it.
Ex-Staples exec joins the 3DLT board

3D printing solutions provider 3DLT has added the former head of global merchandising for Staples to its board of directors.
Saks Fifth Avenue has an A-list ambassador

Saks Fifth Avenue is teaming up with Stand Up To Cancer to bring awareness to cancer research and attract shoppers will to support it.

The retailer has enlisted the help of Julianne Moore to increase cancer awareness and build broad public support for the effort to combat all types of cancers.
Nordstrom Rack in 2017 opening

Seattle -- Nordstrom remains on the move with its off-price division.
Merchants Retail Partners acquires Alabama shopping center

Auburn, Ala. -- Merchants Retail Partners recently led the acquisition of Flint’s Crossing in Auburn, Alabama, on behalf of its related investment partner. The 100,000-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by gourmet grocer EarthFare and Panera Bread.
Strategic Retail Advisors selected as broker for Orange County property

Newport Beach, Calif. -- X Team International announced that partner Strategic Retail Advisors has been selected as a broker for the 81,658 sq. ft. of development surrounding a premium outlet center made up of shops and pads fronting Avenida Vista Hermosa in San Clemente, California.
Are men the same as women when it comes to shopping?

San Diego – Contrary to popular wisdom that women desire a highly interactive shopping experience while men just want to be left alone, the two genders may actually have some similar retail preferences.

According to Interactions Marketing’s latest Retail Perceptions report, “Does Gender Influence Shopping Behavior?” men and women’s shopping behaviors have many similarities.
Jockey mixes money with technology in C-suite

Kenosha, Wis. – Some things are traditionally assumed not to mix – oil and water, cats and dogs, finance and IT. While the CFO has been taking a more active role in high-level IT decision-making in recent years, vertical apparel retailer Jockey International Inc. mixes money with technology more than most of its competitors.

The Wall Street Journal reports that privately held Jockey recently hired Dain Bussewitz, former VP of finance at Abercrombie & Fitch, to assume the combined role of CIO and CFO.
Born to run? Visit this store in India

Bengalaru, India – Bruce Springsteen fans will be delighted by the new store Nike Inc. is opening in Bengalaru, India. Aimed at customers who are “born to run,” the 7,355-sq.-ft., three-level store, Nike’s largest in India, places a special emphasis on the sport of running.