Apparel

Barneys New York is employing technology to give shoppers at its new flagship in downtown Manhattan flagship even more personalized attention — and an experience that combines the best of physical and digital retail.

London stands at the forefront of international retailing as a global retail powerhouse, and as the number one market in the world.

That’s one of the findings of a new study from JLL, which identifies the top 50 major cities worldwide that offer the top growth prospects for retailers’ expansion plans. Hong Kong follows London in the rankings, with Paris, Dubai and New York City rounding out the top five. (A list of the top 25 markets is at the end of article.)

Duluth Holdings just put a key element of its growth strategy in place, choosing cloud commerce solutions provider Demandware to integrate its physical and digital presence.

Going to market under the banner of Duluth Trading Company, the retailer said it selected Demandware to optimize is digital and omnichannel growth strategies.

Troubled teen retailer Aeropostale Inc. has been dealt another blow.

On Friday, the New York Stock Exchange suspended trading of the retailer’s stock with immediate effect, due to an "abnormally low" trading price.

Aeropostale does not intend to appeal the delisting. It said its shares will instead be traded on the OTCQX Best Market, an over-the-counter market operated by OTC Markets Group Inc. The new ticker is "AROP".

Under Armour continued its winning ways in the first quarter, beating sales and earnings forecast as net revenue rose 30%. The brand has had 24 consecutive quarters — six years — of sales growth of more than 20%.

Sales rose to $1.05 billion for the quarter that ended March 31, up from $805 million in the first three months of last year. The company noted that footwear sales soared more than 60% to $264 million amid the popularity of NBA superstar Stephen Curry’s signature basketball shoe line and expanded running offerings.

A well-known outdoor retailer and private equity firm may be interested in purchasing hunting and fishing chain Cabela’s.

According to Reuters, Bass Pro Shops Inc. and the private equity division of Goldman Sachs Group Inc. are preparing to make a buyout offer. Cabela’s said in December it was exploring strategic alternatives that could include a sale.

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The Finish Line said that John Hall will join the company in mid-May as executive VP, divisional president and chief merchandising officer.

Hall, a 30-year Nordstrom executive, most recently served as VP, corporate merchandiser of Rack Menswear.

At Finish Line, Hall’s focus will span across consumer engagement touchpoints including stores and digital operations, merchandising and strategies involving the company’s product vision. He will drive the retailer’s brand growth strategies.

Aeropostale Inc. preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as soon as this month, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Aeropostale has recorded three consecutive years of losses as its struggles to deal with a teen audience whose spending tastes now favor fast-fashion giants such as H&M as well as online retailers. The chain operates some 800 stores nationwide.