Apparel

While the United States continues to experience slow, yet steady economic growth, the future of the domestic retail industry remains unclear as businesses are forced to adapt to a world where consumers are more cost-conscious than ever before. Amidst this challenging climate, retailers must be smarter at understanding their customers, products and the experiences they offer.

Revisiting Brand and Revenue Expansion Strategies

Genesco Inc. will be on the hunt for a new leader after its longtime president stepped down Tuesday.

The company announced that Genesco senior VP and president Ken Kocher has resigned. Kocher is expected to remain employed by the company in a consulting capacity for up to six months. The company has begun a search for Kocher's successor. In the interim, Genesco chairman, president and CEO Robert J. Dennis will act as the group's president.

Kathryn Henry is back at lululemon athletica inc., in a new role as a member of the company’s board of directors, a move the company’s founder contends is an important first step to making larger changes.

dd’s Discounts, a division of Ross Stores, Inc. will open a 20,000-sq.-ft. store at Parkshire Center in Wilcrest, Texas on Feb. 6. The location is 14 miles southwest of downtown Houston, at the intersection of Highway 59 and Wilcrest Drive.

The new store ups dd’s store count in Texas to 37 locations, making it the retailer’s second largest state. With the new opening, the chain will operate 175 locations in 15 states.

Vertical omnichannel footwear retailer Allen Edmonds Corp. needs to ensure brand and price consistency across a dizzying array of consumer touch-points.

Port Lake, Wisconsin-based Allen Edmonds is using the Ugam brand intelligence solution to monitor channel pricing, enforce minimum advertised price policy and manage channel relationships. Allen Edmonds needs to manage these activities in its 59 corporate stores and e-commerce site, as well as with third-party retail partners.

Hancock Fabrics has filed for bankruptcy again and said it might put the entire company of 250 retail sewing and crafting stores up for sale.

Springfield may be home to the “The Simpsons.” But it won’t be home to the first-ever retail store dedicated to the long-running (27 years) television cartoon series.

20th Century Fox has announced that the world's first Simpsons store will open in Beijing, China, in March, followed by a second location, in Shanghai, by June.

The opening of more than 100 stores in the third quarter helped Michael Kors increase revenues, although same-store sales were more moderated.