Apparel

Another slam dunk for Foot Locker
Foot Locker Inc. is riding the wave of shoppers’ growing desire for athletic footwear -- especially trendy basketball shoes -- into all-time record sales.
Bloomingdale’s to open outlet store in Manhattan
Cincinnati -- Bloomingdale’s will open an outlet store in fall 2015 in the heart of Manhattan’s Upper West Side. It will be the 14th Bloomingdale’s Outlet store and the first in a major urban center.

With 25,000 sq. ft. on three levels, Bloomingdale’s Outlet on Broadway will offer a range of off-price apparel and accessories, including women's ready-to-wear, men's, children's, women's shoes, fashion accessories, jewelry, handbags and intimate apparel.

Vestis Retail, operator of Bob’s Stores, EMS and Sport Chalet, names CFO

Meriden, Conn. -- Vestis Retail Group, which operates Bob’s Stores, Eastern Mountain Sports and Sport Chalet, has Susan J. “Sue” Riley to CFO.

Riley brings 30 years of financial management to her new role at Vestis, where she worked on a consulting basis as interim CFO in recent months.
Study: Harsh winter freezes retail sales

San Jose, Calif. – This winter has not only frozen roads and roofs, but also had a chilling effect on retail sales. According to the monthly Retail Performance Pulse from RetailNext, there was a 10.4% year-over-year decrease in sales on a 12.5% decline in traffic at brick-and-mortar stores for the retail month of February (Feb. 1-28).
American Eagle offers omnichannel road trip promotion

Pittsburgh - American Eagle Outfitters and Aerie are launching the "Ultimate Road Trip" sweepstakes in stores nationwide and online from March 7 through March 18. Entrants have the opportunity to win a grand prize of a restored Volkswagen Westfalia valued at approximately $25,000 and $10,000 in cash to create their own ultimate road trip experience.
American Apparel workers create coalition

Los Angeles - Factory workers of American Apparel established a coalition of workers to advocate for their rights before new corporate management. Hundreds of workers met on Feb. 28 to organize themselves into the "Coalition of American Apparel Factory Workers United to Save American Apparel."
Ascena Retail Group names lead independent director, adopts new rules

Mahwah, N.J. - Ascena Retail Group Inc. has named board member Randy L. Pearce to the newly created role of lead independent director. As lead independent director, Pearce will preside at executive sessions of the independent directors, will serve as liaison between the independent directors and the chairman of the board and between the independent directors and senior management, and will call meetings of the independent directors.
Why retailers should be worried about Etsy

Never heard of Etsy? Time to start paying attention to the 10-year-old company that defines its value proposition as connecting people and reimagining commerce.

The unique online marketplace, where you can buy hand-knitted baby shoes or a vintage night light with Elvis Presley’s face on it, has filed for a sure-to-be-closely-watched $100 million public offering.
Bealls to launch Bunulu concept in 2015

Bealls Inc., the 100-year-old Florida-based department store retailer, is developing a specialty store concept, called Bunulu, which will debut by the end of 2015.
Fewer retailers among Fortune’s ‘Best Companies’ list

The retail industry continued to backslide on Fortune’s list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, but the slight may not be as bad as it seems.

The 2015 version of the list included 10 retailers compared to 12 retailers on the 2014 version and 14 retailers on the 2013 version. Notable inclusions on the 2015 list were Wegman’s (7), Container Store (27), QuikTrip (54),Whole Foods Market (55), Recreational Equipment (58), Build-A-Bear (59), CarMax (64), Publix (81), Zappos (86) and Nordstrom (93).
New CFO to lead Sport Chalet, Bob's Stores

Vestis Retail Group, which operates Bob’s Stores, Eastern Mountain Sports and Sport Chalet, has named a Children's Place veteran as its next CFO.
Bealls to launch new specialty store concept, Bunulu

New York -- Bealls Inc., the 100-year-old Florida-based department store retailer, is developing a specialty store concept, called Bunulu, which will debut by the end of 2015.

The new banner, which already has its own website, Bunulu.com, will target a younger demographic, and feature coastal-inspired active lifestyle apparel and accessories for both men and women. National brands will be featured.