Apparel

LOS ANGELES - The wait is over:  Nasty Gal, the teen-fave online player with a cult following, has opened its first retail store, on Melrose Avenue in the heart of Hollywood, California.   "We've been having a dialogue with our gal for eight years this month and to celebrate that, we're taking the conversation offline," said  Sophia Amoruso, CEO and founder of Nasty Gal, and author of the best-selling #GIRLBOSS book.   

The news that Zappos opened its first freestanding store caught by the industry by surprise. Here are two expert views:   

New Albany, Ohio - Abercrombie & Fitch Co. has entered into a franchise agreement with Grupo AXO to establish a retail store presence in Mexico. The franchise arrangement, the first in the company`s history, will encompass both the Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister brands.  

Canton, Mass. – Destination XL posted a loss of $6.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, up from a loss of $4.1 million the same quarter a year earlier. Transition costs, including lease exits and pre-opening costs, contributed to the growing loss.  

Omaha, Neb. – Gordmans Stores Inc. has named Lisa Evans as executive VP and chief merchandising officer effective Jan. 5, 2015. Evans was most recently the executive VP and brand leader for children’s apparel brand Carters, and previously was senior VP and general merchandising manager with Macy's.   Evans’ earlier experience included a variety of senior merchandising leadership roles with the Kaufmann's and Foley's divisions of the former May Company.

San Francisco – Gap Inc. failed to meet Wall Street expectations for net income and revenue in its third quartet as its namesake brand continues to struggle. The retailer cut its annual forecast as sales at its namesake brand continue to fall, Gap’s net income rose 11% to $351 million from $337 million, helped by lower cost of goods sold and taxes.  

New York – Ann Inc. beat Wall Street expectations for the third quarter with net income of $29.9 million, down 27% from $41.2 million the same quarter a year earlier. Pre-tax and after-tax charges associated with the closure of the Madison Avenue Ann Taylor store helped drive down net income.  

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. - The Wet Seal announced that Thomas R. Hillebrandt will assume the role of interim CFO, effective December 1, 2014, concurrent with the previously announced resignation of Steven H. Benrubi, the company’s current CFO.   Hillebrandt has served as VP and corporate controller at Wet Seal since September 2013.   

Flushing, New York - The Shops at Sky View Center announced that Forever 21 has signed a lease with plans to open at the Queens shopping destination this coming spring. The store, to be located on Level D across from Nordstrom Rack, will occupy a 10,093 sq. ft.   

Yonkers, New York - Forest City Ratner Companies, owner and developer of Westchester’s Ridge Hill in Yonkers, New York, announced that The Container Store will occupy 25,000 sq. ft. on Market Street across from The Whole Foods Market Yonkers.