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Direct To Consumer (DTC)

  • Natural pet food retailer on expansion track

    Bentley’s Pet Stuff is on the move.   The family-owned retailer, which specializes in the fast-growing segment of natural pet food, will open nine stores in December, with locations in Milwaukee, Colorado, Minneapolis and Chicago.    The new locations include Bayview, Racine, Menomonee Falls, New Berlin, Delafield and Fox Point (all in the Milwaukee area); Stillwater in the Minneapolis area; Greenwood, Colorado; and one in Chicago.  

  • Digital gift card experience blossoms at 1-800-Flowers

    Consumers now have a new gifting option when ordering from 1-800-Flowers — digital gift cards.   Armed with the CashStar Commerce platform, the retailer now allows customers to select, purchase and personalize digital gift cards across its nine brands: 1-800-Flowers.com, Harry & David, The Popcorn Factory, Cheryl’s, Fannie Mae, 1-800-Baskets.com, Wolferman’s, FruitBouquets.com, and Stock Yards.   

  • QVC makes executive appointment

    QVC has appointed Bob Spieth as executive VP of QVC's customer and business services. He will oversee supply chain, customer service and experience, operations strategy, and corporate real estate and workplace services for both QVC and zulily businesses, with the exception of zulily's corporate facilities. Spieth joined zulily in 2013 as COO. Prior to zulily, he held several leadership roles with OHL, one of the world's largest third-party logistics companies

  • Celebrity to debut her first standalone store

    Sarah Jessica Parker will be among the retail tenants at a new luxury retail center.   The actress-cum-designer will open her first freestanding store on Dec. 8, at MGM National Harbor, a new resort and upscale retail center just outside of Washington, D.C. The store, called SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker, will feature the brand’s collection of shoes, handbags, accessories, and its new LBD (little black dress line) line. (The SJP brand launched in 2014 in upscale department stores.)  

  • HSN, Inc. taps Elizabeth Arden exec as finance chief

    HSN, Inc. has appointed Rod Little as CFO, effective January 3, 2017.   Most recently, Little served as executive VP and CFO of Elizabeth Arden, where he led the company’s global finance and IT organizations and was instrumental in a turnaround that restored revenue growth and profitability, ultimately resulting in the company’s sale to Revlon.  Prior to that, Little was CFO for Procter & Gamble’s multi-billion dollar global salon professional division.   

  • The rise of fresh-casual

    Restaurant retail is in the midst of a revolution.    According to the Urban Land Institute, one of the key factors driving traffic at retail is the rise of new food concepts, which account for nearly 50% of shopping center growth nationally. The first volleys of this revolution were fired by a spate of new fast-casual concepts, but as the movement gains momentum, it is evolving from fast-casual to fresh-casual.   

  • Tech Commentary: How Augmented Reality is Changing Online Shopping

    The rapid evolution of e-commerce has created a consistent channel for retailers and brands, giving brick-and-mortar stores a run for their money. Still, many vendors have yet to create engaging, timely experiences throughout the buyer’s journey.  

  • First Look: Lululemon, Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles

    Inspired by its West Hollywood Design District locale, Lululemon’s new store on Melrose Avenue offers a sleek, stylish and modern shopping environment.    Modern ivy leaf-inspired patterns throughout the interior and exterior, along with the use of reclaimed red wood and iron spot brick, highlight the architectural components of the 2,750-sq.-ft. space.    

  • 2017: The year when retailers smash their cookie cutters?

    Retail real estate professionals and retailers have a symbiotic relationship when it comes to creating great shopping centers and memorable destinations. The former can develop, lease, and broker spaces in great projects in compelling locations, but a retail or mixed-use project is ultimately defined by its tenants: the better the retailers, the better the project.  

  • Retailer looks to capitalize on male grooming

    A deluxe men's grooming concept has big plans for expansion through franchising.   The Gents Place plans to open 150 franchised locations over the next five years, in such markets as Texas, Georgia, Florida, California, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland and Virginia. Currently, the company is aggressively targeting Florida, with plans for 18 locations throughout the state.   
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