Direct To Consumer (DTC)

One of the world’s largest sail manufacturers is sailing into Manhattan, but it won’t be selling its award-winning sails.   North Sails will open its third retail store on Nov. 16, in Manhattan. The company opened its first store in August, in Annapolis, Md., followed by a location in Newport, Rhode Island.  

J. Jill Group Inc. is moving forward with plans for an initial public offering.   The Quincy, Massachusetts-based retailer has tapped Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and Jefferies Group LLC as underwriters for a possible initial public offering, Reuters reported.     

Today, many businesses make free shipping standard. Or, establish majorly moderate price points through which consumers can earn free shipping.    However, free shipping often comes with a price – literally and figuratively. And the truth is, many companies are not positioned to do “free” shipping all that well.   

Alex and Ani has promoted Cindy DiPietrantonio to president of the company.           DiPietrantonio joined the jewelry and lifestyle brand in July 2016 as interim COO, and her transition to president has happened in “a very natural, organic way,” the company said.  

Competition is fierce in the apparel business — even for online players with a devoted following.   Los Angeles-based women’s apparel retailer Nasty Gal has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.      

As Amazon continues to up the ante on convenient, fast shipping options, shoppers expect their favorite brands to follow suit.   Specifically, 42% of shoppers surveyed consider three- or four-day shipping "fast" – a significant drop from the 63% who said so last year. Instead, the majority (83%) of shoppers consider fast shipping to mean delivery within two days or less, according to the “2016 Deloitte Holiday Study,” a report based on responses from 5,038 consumers in the United States.  

To compete with Amazon’s pickup points and lockers, Newegg now offers order pickup service across more than 2,500 locations.   While most online shoppers ship items to their homes, a growing number of people prefer the security and convenience of retrieving their packages at a store or retail location. Through a partnership with FedEx, Newegg shoppers can now order and pick-up packages at more than 2,500 FedEx locations throughout the United States, including 1,800 FedEx Office retail stores.   

Toys “R” Us is looking to shake up its store experience.   The retailer has opened a new “experience-driven” prototype in Santa Ana, California, near South Coast Plaza, The Orange County Register reported.      

Watch out Hallmark. A popular British greeting card  and stationery brand has designs on the U.S. market.   Paperchase is planning to open two freestanding stores in the United States next year, both in Chicago, The Telegraph reported.         Currently, the brand supplies Target and Staples with private-label greeting cards.      

New York & Company appointed Michelle Pearlman as executive VP, e-commerce and chief marketing officer.   Pearlman, a member of the company’s board of directors since 2011, has resigned from her duties as a director to lead the company’s omnichannel strategy. In her new role, she will be responsible for the apparel retailer’s e-commerce business, as well as all marketing and visual aspects of the chain’s integrated omnichannel strategy.