Apparel

Callison and RTKL have officially joined forces as CallisonRTKL.

The firm announced several senior-level appointments to launch its next level of growth:

Eric Lagerberg (New York) has been named executive VP and will serve as global practice group leader for retail stores and regional director of North America for CallisonRTKL.

The strong dollar’s influence on tourism and store traffic led the Neiman Marcus Group to report a decline in same-store sales for the first time in six years.

A merchant that grew from a small boutique in West Hollywood with a celebrity clientele to a multi-store operation is going out of business.

Kitson announced that it is closing its 17 stores, which are located in California, Oregon and Nevada. As of December 11, its e-commerce site had already been shut down.

Women’s lifestyle retailer Soft Surroundings brings its brand to life at Kierland Commons, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Designed by JGA, Southland, Michigan, the 4,000-sq.-ft. store has a relaxed, inviting feel. Merchandise is featured in lifestyle displays reminiscent of a home environment. Custom decorated fitting rooms are highlighted with crafted chandeliers, oversized mirrors and unique seating.

Weak traffic at Saks 5th Avenue stores did not keep Hudson's Bay Company from reporting higher sales and profit in the third quarter.

For the third quarter ended Oct. 31, the company posted a profit of $1 million, compared with a $13 million loss a year earlier. Total sales increased 34% to $2.57 billion, up from $1.91 billion. Consolidated sales growth was 34.1%, up $653 million from prior year with same-store sales growth of 12.9%. But Saks Fifth Avenue logged a same store sales decrease of 3.6%.

Mobile payment is impressively rising in consumer adoption and interest, but Apple Pay is not their first or even second choice.

According to a 2015 survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adult consumers by location-based mobile platform provider Retale, 43% of respondents have previously used a mobile device, such as smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch, to make a purchase in a brick-and-mortar retail store. This is a 7% increase year-over-year compared to the 36% who reported they had used mobile payment in Retale’s 2014 study.

Restoration Hardware Holdings’ (RH) innovative store growth initiatives are starting to bear fruit, as the luxury home furnishings retailer reported record sales and profits in the third quarter.

For the period ended Oct. 31, the company reported net income of $20.7 million, or 49 cents per share, compared to $19.4 million for the same period last year.

Revenue increased 10% to $532.4 million, from $484.7 million in the year-ago period. It was the firm's 23rd consecutive quarter of double-digit revenue growth. Same-store sales increased 7%.

The Ascena Retail Group is adding a seasoned retail CEO and a legal expert to its board of directors.

The parent company of Ann Taylor Loft, Ann and other banners announced three changes to its board of directors on Friday. Board member Klaus Eppler is retiring and Carl (“Chuck”) Rubin and Steven L. Kirshenbaum are joining the board.