Apparel

Insights: Focus on Forever 21’s new format, F21 red
For Los Angeles-based fashion retailer Forever 21, the journey from a single location on Figueroa Street in L.A. in 1984 to more than 680 global locations today has been transformative. Over the last three decades, the brand has not shied away from innovation and experimentation, implementing a range of different store sizes and concepts along the way: from smaller 5,000-sq.-ft. layouts in its early years, to larger 9,000-sq.-ft. concepts in the 2000s and a range of big-box stores that range up to 40,000 sq. ft.
Stage stores acts on growth strategy
Stage Stores' approach to operating department stores in small to mid-sized towns enabled the company to grow holiday season sales and profits faster than some of its big city rivals.

The company’s 853 departments stores, operating under the banners of Bealls, Goody’s, Palais Royal, Peebles and Stage, grew sales 6.6% to $525 million and profits from continuing operations increased 35% to $43.7 million during the fourth quarter ended Jan. 31. Same store sales increased 6.4% and the company’s e-commerce business grew 30%.

Dick's Sporting Goods scores with omnichannel

The CEO of Dick’s Sporting Goods says the growth of the retailer’s omnichannel network and improved marketing led to better-than-expected earnings in the fourth quarter.

Edward Stack, chairman and CEO at Dick’s, said the company reported a profit of $156 million, or $1.30 a share, up from a profit of $139 million, or $1.11 a share, a year earlier. Revenue grew 11% to $2.16 billion. Same store sales jumped 3.4%.
Justice still a struggle for Ascena Retail Group

Justice continues to be a drain on the Ascena Retail Group, as the company reported a drop in same store sales for the second quarter.

The operator of Justice, as well as stores under the Lane Bryant, Cacique, Maurices, Dressbarn, and Catherines brands, said combined same store sales declined 2% during its second quarter of fiscal 2015 ended Jan. 25 due to sluggish sales at Justice.
Lloyd Center to undergo major renovation, leasing broker named

Portland, Ore. -- X Team International announced that Oregon-based partner New & Neville has been retained by CAPREF Lloyd Center, LLC as the broker for leasing of the Lloyd Center during and following its renovation.
Nike to debut first NYC Factory Store location

New York -- Nike will open its first clearance store location in New York City at The Shops at Sky View Center in Flushing, New York.

The 15,000-sq.-ft. Nike Factory Store is slated to open April 2 on Level B of the 700,000-sq.-ft. shopping destination.
Thor Equities acquires first Canadian property, in Montreal

New York -- Thor Equities has expanded its international portfolio by acquiring a retail property at 777 Saint Catherine Street in Montreal. The historical building is located on the corner of McGill College Avenue and Saint Catherine Street, in the heart of Montreal’s prime shopping corridor.
Cost Plus World Market to open second New Jersey store

Shrewsbury, N.J. -- Cost Plus World Market, a division of Bed, Bath & Beyond, has secured a new 15,000-sq.-ft. space at 490 Broad Street, Shrewsbury, New Jersey. It is the retailer’s second store in the New Jersey area (Monmouth County), having opened its first Northeast store in July 2014 at 530 W. Mt. Pleasant Avenue in Livingston, New Jersey (Essex County).
The Finish Line’s Running Specialty Group acquires four-store, NYC-based JackRabbit Sports

Denver -- The Running Specialty Group (RSG), a division of The Finish Line, has expanded its presence in the New York City area with the addition of JackRabbit Sports, consisting of four locations. Additionally, JackRabbit owner and founder, Lee Silverman, will join RSG’s leadership team in Denver as senior VP of brand strategy.
Boots U.K. pilots MobileFirst sales assist app

Nottingham, U.K. – IBM Inc. is expanding the IBM MobileFirst for iOS portfolio of apps for retailers. Boots U.K. and American Eagle Outfitters are among the retailers who have signed on for MobileFirst apps.
Reinventing brick-and-mortar retail hot topic at SPECS 2015

New York -- One of the most buzzed-about retailers in the country, Nadia Shouraboura, will present her singular vision of retailing in a digital age at Chain Store Age’s 51st annual SPECS Conference, March 15-17, 2015, at Sands Expo at the Venetial/Palazzo Hotel, Las Vegas.
ShopKo growth surge due for late March

Regional discount retailer Shopko will experience its most dramatic growth in many years later this month when its Hometown stores division takes over locations from the now defunct Alco Stores chain.