Apparel

This shopping mecca has the priciest rents
New York has unseated Hong Kong for the dubious distinction as the world’s most expensive shopping destination, according to a fascinating new report examining 330 markets worldwide.
Destination Maternity adds investor to board
Destination Maternity has appointed the managing partner of investment firm Voce Capital to the company's board of directors.

"As a long-term investor in Destination Maternity, we look forward to bringing additional shareholder perspective to the board and continuing to work constructively with the company to help enhance its value," J. Daniel Plants of Voce Capital said.

It’s ‘Digital Monday’ at Meijer

Meijer is taking a different approach to Cyber Monday this year.

Instead of online sales, the retailer says it will focus on offering discounts through its digital couponing site: mPerks. For Cyber Monday, the retailer is offering a coupon for 20% off a single item through mPerks on in-store purchases today only.
Ailing Wet Seal in financial review

Foothill Ranch. Calif. - Struggling teen apparel retailer Wet Seal has hired an investment banker and a senior adviser to analyze potential financial alternatives. Similar to other retailers in the teen sector, Wet Seal has faced up stepped-up competition from fast-fashion leaders such as Forever 21 and H&M.
Charming Charlie coming to the Big Apple; names Victoria’s Secret exec as head of merchandising

New York - The fast-growing accessories retailer Charming Charlie is entering the New York City market in spring 2015.
Reawakenings

Prolific developer Trademark Property Company is doing its part to ramp up the country’s new development and active redevelopment stats. The Fort Worth, Texas-based firm has five projects under construction:
NYC Retail: Top 10 New Stores

It’s been another big year in terms of new store openings in New York City. Here are my top 10 faves:
Sports Authority rolls out updated format in Las Vegas area

Englewood, Col. - Sports Authority continues to roll out its enhanced store environment in both existing stores and new locations nationwide. Most recently, the retailer completed the remodel of an existing store and also opened two new units in the Las Vegas area.
Survey: Nordstrom, Amazon most engaged brands on Pinterest

New York - Nordstrom was the most engaged retail brand on Pinterest, followed by Amazon, according to Curalate, which collected more than 180,000 Pins and analyzed nearly five million interactions associated with the Top 100 brands from November 1st to November 21. Rounding out the top five: Urban Outfitters, American Eagle Outfitters and Zulily.
DSW tops Q3 expectations

Columbus, Ohio – DSW Inc. exceeded Wall Street expectations for net income and sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Net income fell a less than expected 10% to $49.55 million from $54.96 million the same quarter a year earlier, with higher operating expenses and lower pretax income contributing to the decline. Sales totaled $670 million compared to $633 million and same-store sales rose 2.6%.
Chico’s swings to loss in Q3

Fort Myers, Fla. – Chico’s FAS Inc. reported a net loss of $28.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to net income of $35.8 million in the third quarter of the previous fiscal year and below Wall Street predictions. Non-cash goodwill and trade name impairment charges drove Chico’s into the red. Sales totaled $665.6 million, an increase of 1.5% compared to $655.6 million. Same-store sales dropped 1.6%.
Wet Seal plunges into strategic review

Wet Seal has hired an investment banker and a senior adviser to analyze potential financial alternatives for the struggling retailer.

The company said it has hired investment bank Houlihan Lokey and former Tilly's Inc. executive William Langsdorf to aid in a strategic review. Wet Seal said it has not set a deadline for completion of the process and that “there can be no assurance that the exploration of the potential alternatives will result in a transaction.”