Department Store

By Sean Jackson, [email protected]

In recent weeks, there have been some well-publicised examples of retail giants whose financial performance has been severely impacted by breakdowns in the supply chain. As salt in the wound to these behemoths of retail, there are just as many examples of organizations that have exceeded market expectations due to an ability to behave nimbly and respond quickly to changes in consumer demand.

Kohl’s Department Stores opened 12 new stores nationwide in September, all featuring the chain’s updated store design. Eleven of the stores are smaller format locations, with some 64,000 sq. ft. or less of retail space.

The stores are designed to offer customers a comfortable and inviting shopping environment, with Wi-Fi throughout, updated checkouts and upgraded fitting rooms. Other features include innovative fixtures in cosmetics, expanded, upfront customer service area, in-store Kohl’s Kiosks and electronic signs in all departments.

New York -- Wet Seal Inc. sent a letter to its shareholders saying activist investor Clinton Group is looking to replace most of the retailer's board with its own nominees, Reuters reported.

Wet Seal urged its shareholders to reject Clinton's five-member slate, according to a filing with regulators on Sept. 24, the report said.

DALLAS — Neiman Marcus is looking to build on its Cusp brand with the help of a fashion blogger. The company has launched a contest to find the perfect blogger that embodies the Cusp sensibility.

Neiman Marcus first launched the Cusp brand in 2006 with two freestanding stores that offered customers a contemporary assortment including apparel, shoes, handbags and accessories in a boutique environment.  The brand has grown over time to include a total of six Cusp stores, Cusp.com and integration into the forty-two Neiman Marcus stores.

New York -- As women age, they find the shopping experience less enjoyable, according to a survey by global design consultancy Fitch. The study finds that the most fulfilled female shopper is between 16 and 24 years of age, suggesting that shops are designed for the young.

“There is a big opportunity for retailers to redress the balance and improve all our shopping experiences — which is better for business and better for shoppers,” said Tim Greenhalgh, chief creative officer office, Fitch.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Department Stores has been recognized with a 2012 Sustained Excellence in Green Power Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This is the company’s sixth consecutive year receiving a Green Power Leadership Award.

Kohl’s purchased 1.5 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power in 2012 and generates more than 28 million kWh through its solar program, offsetting more than 100% of the company’s electricity use for the third consecutive year.

Portsmouth, N.H. -- Boston-based The Wilder Cos. said that Guitar Center will open a 7,358-sq.-ft. store at Durgin Square in Portsmouth, N.H. The new store will host a grand opening on Sept. 27.

Durgin Square is tenanted by TJ Maxx, HomeGoods and Shaw’s.

Wilder Cos. is the management company for the shopping center.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl's is partnering with designer Derek Lam for the second installment if its DesigNation limited-edition collection. As part of the Kohl’s DesigNation concept featuring premier designer fashions based on international inspiration, the Derek Lam collection will draw creative influence from his trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The collection features misses’ apparel and swimwear and will be available exclusively at Kohl’s and Kohls.com beginning in April 2013.