Apparel

Macy’s misses bad, excuses abound
Macy’s Chairman and CEO Terry Lundgren offered plenty of reasons why the company’s first quarter sales were worse than expected – but also noted the confluence of factors that caused the disappointing results are largely behind the company.
Not your mother's outlet shopping experience
The brick-and-mortar shopping experience is getting a social makeover at Tanger Factory Outlet Centers.

This year Tanger will open four new shopping centers across the country. During each of these grand opening weekends, Tanger will be merging the traditional shopping experience with the excitement of social interaction though three social media activations.

The Finish Line goes old school hip-hop with Reebok

Hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar is lending some old-school street cred to the Finish Line’s launch of the latest reboot of the Reebok Ventilator.

The retailer says Kendrick will be the face of Reebok’s Ventilator campaign, across its channels with exclusive content and key influencer support. Originally introduced to the sneaker world 25 years ago, the Ventilator is back with a classic look featuring four bold new colorways.
Digitally-influenced sales at physical stores to reach $2.2T

Digital interactions are expected to influence 64 cents of every dollar spent in retail stores by the end of 2015, or $2.2 trillion, according to Deloitte.
Aca-believe it: 'Pitch Perfect' fashions at Express

Express is hoping to attract fans of the hit movie “Pitch Perfect” with a new fashion line targeted to Millennials.

The retailer has partnered with Universal Pictures and Gold Circle Entertainment's “Pitch Perfect 2,” in theaters May 15, to create a dual-gender collection based on the looks seen in the film.
JCPenney switching gears to growth mode

JCPenney Company cited strong financial results in the first quarter as the impetus for going on the offensive to gain back share and becoming the “preferred shopping choice for Middle America.”

JCPenney reported net sales of $2.86 billion compared to $2.80 billion in the first quarter of 2014. Same store sales increased 3.4% for the period.

The company has made inroads in recent quarters on its turnaround, and the company may finally be making progress on reconnecting with its core customers.
Survey: Canadians slowing down on cross-border shopping

Toronto -- Canadians are not flocking over the border as much as last year, according to a recent cross-border shopping survey by marketing research firm GfK. Deterred by higher US exchange rates, Canadians are less willing to make the drive, despite the wider product selections available stateside.
Retail Rap: Sears Goes on a Selling Spree

About a year and a half ago, I wrote the following about Sears in an article that appeared in this space: “the company has been run less like a retail operation and more like a REIT for many years now.”
Trademark adds three new tenants to Westbend

Fort Worth, Texas – Trademark Property Co. is adding three new tenants to its Westbend shopping center in Fort Worth, Texas. Restaurant chain HG Sply Co. will open a 3,800-sq.-ft. location with a 5,000-sq.-ft. outdoor patio.

In addition, Pax & Parker will open a 1,364-sq.-ft. luxury location and Woodhouse Day Spa will open a 5,240-sq.-ft. full-service luxury day spa.
Bernards develops two mixed-use Southern California projects

Los Angeles – Commercial builder Bernards is constructing two mixed-use, multifamily projects in Southern California that will include a strong retail presence. Bernard’s is nearing the end of the construction phase for the new, 303-unit Camden Glendale (formerly Glendale Triangle), a seven-story project designed to appeal to “Gen-X” professionals.
American Apparel Q1 net loss widens

Los Angeles – Net loss at American Apparel Inc. grew to $26.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, from $5.5 million the same quarter a year earlier. Increased cost of sales and foreign currency translation, as well as legal, litigation and consulting costs related to the termination of founder/CEO Dov Chaney, helped boost net loss.
Gap disappoints in Q1

San Francisco – Gap Inc. reported disappointing sales for April and the first quarter, hurt by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange and sliding sales at its namesake and Banana Republic divisions. Also, earlier timing of the Easter holiday, as compared to 2014, benefited the company’s March sales results and negatively impacted its April sales results.

Total same-store sales fell 12% in April, worse than predicted. Sales at Old Navy declined 6%, while sales at Banana Republic plunged 15%. Same-store sales for Gap fell 15%.