Apparel

Is Groupon headed for a resurgence?
Despite increasing competition from Amazon Local and Google Shopping, Groupon announced Tuesday that its holiday weekend sales set a new record.

For the full Black Friday through Cyber Monday weekend, the e-commerce site’s North American sales climbed over 25 percent from last year, the company reported. This year's Black Friday and Cyber Monday were the two biggest days in Groupon's North American history, the firm said.
Loehmann’s adds e-commerce veteran
In an effort to bolster its online presence, Loehmann’s has appointed a digital retail expert to join its advisory board. Tony D'Annibale, president of Jessica's Brands, will work with the board and the management team during the Loehmann’s re-launch as an online retailer.

TJX offers limited gift-giving advice

Just like many of the products sold in its stores, TJX Companies is offering a limited duration holiday helpline staffed by folks who presume to know the perfect gift for anonymous recipients.

T.J. Maxx and Marshalls this week said they are bringing back their “Holiday Gift Hotline” to combat the issue they identified in a survey of people buying uninventive gifts. The hotline is a free service only available for limited hours Dec. 4-7 and is designed to provide shoppers with a variety of gift ideas to help them give gifts people really want to receive.
Online aids Ascena sales of niche brands

Healthy e-commerce growth offset a sales slowdown at Ascena Retail Group’s physical stores and enabled the company to achieve its first quarter financial expectations.

Ascena, operator of stores under the Lane Bryant, Cacique, Maurices, Dressbarn, Catherines, Justice and Brothers brands, said same store sales declined 2% during its first quarter ended Oct. 25 as a 16% comp increase online wasn’t enough to offset a 4% decline at physical stores.
Wal-Mart feels good about Black Friday weekend sales

New York - Count Walmart as not falling victim to the Black Friday weekend blues. The discounter is reporting a strong holiday weekend -- including record online sales.
Hunter’s new global flagship will serve as model for future stores

London - Hunter, the British footwear and outdoor brand, opened its first global flagship, on London’s high-profile Regent Street. The 5,300-sq.-ft. store presents the retailer’s full collection, from its signature Wellington boots to outwear and accessories.
HSN names Fruit of the Loom exec Cornerstone president

St. Petersburg, Fla. - HSN Inc. has named Jeffrey Kuster as president of Cornerstone and executive officer of HSNi. Kuster, 48, has held various leadership positions in the apparel, fashion and retail industries, most recently as executive VP, chief marketing and strategy officer for Berkshire Hathaway's Fruit of the Loom.
Men’s Wearhouse to open first-ever Joseph Abboud freestanding store

Fremont, Calif. - Men's Wearhouse will open the first-ever Joseph Abboud retail store in midtown Manhattan in spring 2015. The store follows the launch of JosephAbboud.com in early November.
Study – Online retail to grow to $512 billion by 2020

Washington, D.C. – Online sales are expected to reach $300 billion in 2014, $335 billion in 2015 and $512 billion by 2020. According to predictions from FTI Consulting Inc., despite sluggish retail sales in the past year, FTI Consulting's Retail & Consumer Product experts believe online sales will continue to grow at a double-digit rate for the next several years.
Analysis: Black Friday weekend winners include Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, Old Navy

New York - Ike Boruchow, analyst, Sterne Agee, reviews Black Friday results in the specialty retail sector:
Tech purchases up despite lower BF sales

Buying tech products was the No. 1 priority on consumers’ shopping lists this past holiday weekend, according to a new survey from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).
HSN turns a corner with Cornerstone

HSN Inc. has named Jeffrey Kuster president of Cornerstone and executive officer of HSNi. Kuster will report to HSNi CEO Mindy Grossman.

Kuster, 48, has held various leadership positions in the apparel, fashion and retail industries, most recently as EVP and chief marketing and strategy officer for Berkshire Hathaway's Fruit of the Loom.