Apparel

Gainesville, Fla. -- The developer of Celebration Pointe, a 225-acre mixed-used regional development located in Gainesville, Florida announced that its work on the public infrastructure improvement phase of the $200 million project is on schedule. Celebration Pointe partner Ralph Conti made the announcement.

Indianapolis - Simon is bringing back “Lookbook Live,” a joint fashion program in collaboration with Glamour and GQ magazines. Lookbook Live includes print, digital, social media, and live events, for spring and fall 2015.

Lawrenceville, N.J. - Apparel and general merchandise manufacturers and retailers are using item-level, electronic product code (EPC)-enabled radio frequency identification (RFID) to enhance inventory visibility and respond to consumer demands for omnichannel options. According to results of the 2014 GS1 US Standards Usage Survey, more than half (57%) of retailers reported that they are currently implementing RFID, and another 19% planned to implement RFID within the next 12 months.

Los Angeles -- Guess reported a better-than-expected fourth quarter profit amid a 37% jump in the company’s online business and falling expenses. The apparel retailer, however, forecast a disappointing 2015, primarily due to the stronger U.S. dollar (1,190 of Guess’1,668 stores are located outside the United States and about 45% of its revenue comes from international markets).

Guess income fell to $53.9 million for the fourth quarter, ended Jan. 31, from $69.6 million a year earlier.

Marketing and a strong assortment helped teen retailer Tilly’s report an increase in profits and same store sales in the fourth quarter.

Revenues increased 9.2% from last year to $152.82 million. Analysts expected revenues of $151.43 million. The company said same store sales, which include e-commerce sales, increased 2.9% from the corresponding period in 2013.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. launched an enhanced return policy covering all of the retailer’s 32 owned and exclusive brands, which extends the return window to one year from the date of purchase.

The retailer also rolled out a one-year return guarantee for guests using Target’s baby, college or wedding gift registry.

New York -- J. Crew Group Inc. saw fourth quarter namesake sales and traffic counts fall, which dragged down results for the quarter ended Jan. 31.  J. Crew reported a loss of $30.6 million for the fourth quarter, compared with a profit of $5.9 million in the year-ago period. An impairment charge contributed $26 million to the negative results.

Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Meijer will up its fashion game with the spring launch of a Skechers concept shop inside the Knapp's Corner Meijer, Michigan, about one year after the retailer unveiled a fresh approach to lure grocery customers across the center aisle to its apparel offerings.

"Our customers have realized just how serious we are about providing on-trend fashion items at the right price," said Peter Whitsett, executive VP of merchandising and marketing for the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based supercenter.

Columbus, Ohio -- On the heels of its announcement that it would open 35 stores in 2015, footwear retailer DSW said Wednesday that 19 of those store openings would occur this spring.

The locations will be nationwide, including 12 new markets.

"We are pleased to grow our footprint in cities DSW already calls home, while also expanding to new areas of the country. Opening 19 stores this season and more throughout 2015 is absolutely thrilling for our brand,” said Carrie McDermott, executive VP and COO of DSW.

Philadelphia -- Shopping center owner PREIT said that it will add several key – and some first-to-market – tenants to several of its upscale malls.  

At Cherry Hill (New Jersey) Mall, new tenants include lululemon athletica, Tumi, and e.l.f. studio; Primark will open in 2016 at Willow Grove (Pennsylvania) Park; and Garage will open at Woodland Mall, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.