Apparel

Boston -- Simon announced plans for a major renovation to Boston’s Copley Place that will begin in September and include interior and exterior enhancements to the retail portion of the property.

In addition to physical upgrades, Simon will continue to add a number of luxury retailers to the property. The majority of the project will be completed by the summer of 2016 with Copley Place remaining fully open throughout the renovation.

Pittsburgh -- Consumers love their smartphones, but retailers shouldn’t count out the “old tech” yet in terms of customer appeal. And merchants will have to put some effort into getting consumers to accept some of the new high-tech bells and whistles.

At a time when the Chinese currency is being devalued and Macy’s financial results are disappointing investors, the company is forming an exclusive partnership with Alibaba.

New York -- Macy’s CEO and chairman Terry Lundgren is talking about why the department store giant decided to stop carrying Donald Trump’s menswear collection.

In a report on CNBC, Lundgren said the decision was a business one.

Barnes & Noble is tops when it comes to the most powerful “Back-to-School” retail brands, according to a new survey.

New York -- Things are not getting any better at the struggling and cash-poor American Apparel. In fact, it looks like they are getting worse.

In a short form quarterly filing, the retailer said its net loss increased to $19.4 million in the second quarter from $16.2 million in the year-ago period while net sales fell 17% to $134 million. It estimated that, as of June 30, it had only $7 million in cash and $6 million left in its Capital One credit line. (American Apparel’s full quarterly filing will be delayed.)

New York -- Macy’s has joined the increasing number of retailers tapping into their real estate assets.

Macy’s on Wednesday announced a real estate purchase agreement with developer Tishman Speyer to sell several of the nine floors of the Macy’s store on Fulton Street in Brooklyn, New York. The real estate transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter, and Macy’s is expected to record a gain of approximately $250 million in its fiscal fourth quarter of 2015.

Lane Bryant is taking a non-student approach to back-to-school marketing with its third annual Chalk it up to Style promotion.

Now through Aug. 31, teachers and supporting school staff who shop at Lane Bryant during Chalk it up to Style will enjoy saving 15% off their purchase when shopping in store with a valid school ID or paystub.