Apparel

Port Washington, Wis. -- Allen Edmonds, the 93-year-old premium men’s shoe brand, is embracing the digital age.

The company is offering its first-ever “Factory Seconds” flash sale on its web site. The seven-day-long sale starts June 26 and ends on July 2.

Indianapolis – The Finish Line Inc. finished ahead of Wall Street expectations for profit and revenue in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. Net income rose 29% to $13.73 million from $10.65 million in the prior year period.

A higher gross profit, as well as significantly lower impairment and store closing charges, drove the increase in net income. Net sales grew 9% to $443.39 million from $406.53 million. Same-store sales at the Finish Line banner increased 5.5%.

Washington, D.C. – Americans are feeling patriotic as July 4 approaches and putting their wallets where their feelings are. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF) 2015 Independence Day Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, more than 156 million consumers, or 64% of those celebrating, are planning to take part in the July 4 holiday by attending a cookout, picnic or barbecue, spending an average of $71.23 per household, up 4% from $68.16 in 2014.

Lululemon Athletica has named a former Walgreens executive as the athleisure company's next digital chief.

Lululemon announced that Miguel Almeida will be executive vice presiden-digital when he starts with the company in mid-July. He will report to the company’s CEO, Laurent Potdevin.

The CEO of the Finish Line Inc. says the company is poised for consistent growth and increased profitability after posting an increase in same store sales in the first quarter.

The Finish Line Inc. said profit rose 11% in the first quarter ended May 30. Same store sales rose 5.5%.

One of the world's biggest fashion retailers says the strong U.S. dollar hurt profits in the second quarter, but the company is moving ahead with plans to increase investments and even launch a new brand in 2017.

Bridgehampton, N.Y. -- Garnet Hill, the online and catalog retailer, is inching closer to brick-and-mortar.

The 39-year-old company is set to open its first physical store, a pop-up location in the tony Long Island town of Bridgehampton, New York. The store is designed to give customer a "touch and feel" experience for Garnet Hill’s merchandise.

London – U.K. retailers Harrods, Browns, Space NK Apothecary, The Dune Group, Aspinal of London, Trunki, Brand Outlet, Austin Reed, Viyella, CC and Soletrader have all signed up to Borderfree’s global e-commerce platform.

With the advent of social media came an outburst of sharing content, expressing opinions and increasing expectations. And in an industry where brands and fashion houses were once responsible for creating trends, consumers are now taking the reins. They’re turning to social channels to chat with other shoppers and share likes, dislikes and the next best thing – which is often changing as fast as the social conversation.

New York – Online jewelry retailer BaubleBar is making the leap to brick-and-mortar.

Launched in 2011 by two former investment bankers with Harvard MBAs, the retailer will open its first-ever, permanent brick-and-mortar location, a 1,200-sq.-ft. shop at Roosevelt Field Mall, in Garden City, New York. The mall is one of the nation’s largest shopping centers.