Apparel

Martha Stewart cooks up a new deal
Retail licensing group Sequential Brands, whose brands include Jessica Simpson, Ellen Tracy and Avia, is buying Martha Stewart's lifestyle collection, although the domestic diva will maintain creative control over product.
Men's Wearhouse launches 8th suit drive
Men's Wearhouse is inspiring a future generation of men to shop its stores with its eighth annual National Suit Drive.

The six-week initiative collects donations of gently-used professional attire for unemployed Americans. The clothing will be distributed to over 180 local non-profit organizations that provide job-ready skills, training and seminars to disadvantaged men and women entering or re-entering the workforce. As part of this year's National Suit Drive, Men's Wearhouse is issuing a challenge to consumers to meet or exceed the goal of 250,000 donated items.

Barney's flips the switch on Instagram

Barneys New York is joining other retailers in embracing social shopping.
Foot Locker nets campaign with budding NBA star

It doesn't really matter whether shoppers are familiar with hoops star Emmanuel Mudiay yet, because Foot Locker is launching a campaign that explains everything.

The specialty athletic retailer has launched a YouTube video campaign called "Life Changes After the Draft" – a series of four, 15-second commercials with Under Armour featuring top-NBA Draft prospect Emmanuel Mudiay.
Edible Arrangements taps specialty retailer exec as CFO

Wallingford, Conn. — Edible Arrangements International has named Tony DiPippa as CFO.

DiPippa replaces former CFO George Wilson, who moves over to support Edible Arrangements founder and CEO Tariq Farid in the expansion of Edible Brands and his other ventures, including Netsolace, Broadpeak and Naranga.
Barneys enables Instagram shopping

New York – Barneys New York keeps expanding its use of social media. The luxury retailer will enable customers to shop directly from a link embedded in its official Instagram account. Utilizing technology from Like2Buy, the feature will link customers to shoppable Instagram images which connect to the Barneys e-commerce site.
Combatant Gentlemen going after wedding business with The Groom's Suite

Irvine, Calif. — Online menswear retailer Combatant Gentlemen Inc. is seeking to expand one of the fastest-growing segments of its business.

The company has launched The Groom's Suite, an online dashboad offering suits starting at $160 and tuxes starting at $200, to attract budget-conscious brides and grooms who prefer to buy rather than rent.
Abercrombie annual meeting: Changing of the guard

New York — Less drama and fewer flipflops — those were some of the changes at Abercrombie & Fitch Co.’s annual meeting on Thursday, Columbus Business First reports. It was the first annual gathering since longtime, controversial CEO Michael Jefferies left the company. For the full story, click here.
Aeropostale not replacing departing exec

New York — Aeropostale is losing a key executive and not replacing her.

The retailer announced that its chief merchandiser, Executive VP Emilia Fabricant, is leaving the company. Effective immediately, the company's senior merchandising team will report to CEO Julian R. Geiger.

The retailer said there are no plans to seek a replacement for Fabricant at this time.
CBL acquires mixed-use center in Chattanooga

WILMINGTON, N.C. — The Mayfaire Town Center and Mayfaire Community Center have been acquired by CBL & Associates Properties, a publicly traded real estate investment trust based in Chattanooga, Tenn.

The sale, which closed June 18, is not expected to result in immediate changes that will be noticed by consumers.

Once a horse farm, Mayfaire Town Center and Mayfaire Community Center have become one of North Carolina's premier shopping and leisure destinations.
Brookwood Village unveils remodel plans for redevelopment

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Cypress Equities, the management company for Brookwood Village, announced its plans for updating the interior of the two-level shopping center that straddles the communities of Homewood and Mountain Brook.
Head merchant at Aeropostale is out

Aeropostale is losing a key executive and handing over merchandising responsibilities to the company's CEO.