Apparel

Macy’s ranked as the department store of the year in the Harris Poll’s 28th annual EquiTrend Stud, which recognizes the strongest brands based on consumer response.

In coming out on top, Macy's unseated Kohl's, which has held the honor since 2012. Macy's also showed one of the largest brand equity increases (+7%) over a three-year period.

Nordstrom announced it will phase out 350 to 400 jobs, primarily in its corporate center and regional support teams, through the end of the second quarter.

The retailer described the reductions as changes in its operating model in order to “continually evolve with the expectations of its customers, ensure it is best positioned to respond to the current business environment, and meet long-term growth plans.”

The changes are estimated to generate savings of approximately $60 million in fiscal 2016.

eBay Enterprise has completed its merger with Innotrac Corp., creating a new, private company called Radial that provides technology and related services for online retailers, including payments, fulfillment, logistics and customer service.

Sterling Partners, the Innovac parent company which purchased eBay Enterprise in November 2015, had previously announced the two companies would be combined.

Footwear retailer DSW is one of the first retailers to deploy technology from the new provider, using it to support all facets of its omnichannel commerce effort.

Eighty-eight percent of consumers plan to celebrate Mother’s Day 2016 and clothing is this year’s big winner.

That’s according to the annual Brand Keys Mother’s Day survey, which found that consumers intend to spend on average $205.00 this year, up 6% over 2015.

Men, following a long-standing tradition, intend to spend more than women, reporting an anticipated average spend of $228. Women reported an anticipated spend of $182.

Angeles-based Sport Chalet has initiated going out of business sales at its 47 stores and closed down its online operation.

On Monday, Vestis Retail Group LLC, which operates Sport Chalet along with Eastern Mountain Sports and Bob’s Stores, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The filing was not unexpected and follows in the wake of Sports Authority’s Chapter 11 filing in March.

ModCloth, known for its indie and vintage-inspired styles, appointed Phil Neri as chief financial officer (CFO), starting April 15.

Neri joins ModCloth with over two decades of financial and operational experience in the consumer, online and multichannel retail sector, most recently serving as CFO at home and lifestyle brand Serena & Lily since 2011.

Skechers retail stores could be in for a sales boost later this year as pro football Hall of Famer Howie Long becomes the newest member of the footwear brand’s endorsement roster.
 
Skechers, operator of 1,340 stores, inked Long for a multi-year deal that involves TV, print and digital components through 2018. Long is best known today as a game day commentator of Fox’s NFL broadcasts, but prior to that he was one of the league’s most dominating defensive linemen during a 12 year career with the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders.