Direct To Consumer (DTC)

Shoe Palace is moving into the cloud to enhance its omnichannel operations.   A preferred Nike retailer, Shoe Palace is known for its high-end athletic footwear and apparel, and top-notch customer service. The family-run business opened its first store in San Jose, California in 1993. Today, the company operates 118 stores nationwide, and an e-commerce site.   

Someone forgot to tell Bluemercury about the slowdown in physical retail.    The beauty retailer, which was purchased by Macy’s in 2015, plans to open some 40 stores in 2017, according to a report by the Chicago Tribune, including six in Chicago. Currently, it has nearly 200 locations nationwide.   

Online retailing is changing the game for pet parents.   Specifically, 40% of pet owners are opting to buy pet products online, up from 37% the previous year, and notably higher than results from 2014, according to U.S. Pet Market Outlook, 2017-2018. The report, from research firm Packaged Facts, highlights mergers and acquisitions, retail channel trends, and pet owner demographics and spending habits.  

Harrys of London has a new owner with an interesting portfolio who wants to expand the brand.   The luxury footwear and accessories brand has been acquired by Charles S. Cohen, a New York real estate developer and media entrepreneur. Cohen, who acquired 100% interest in Harrys from Palladin Consumer Retail Partners, will assume the position of chairman. Palladin acquired a majority stake in Harrys in 2014.  

Original Penguin has opened a pop-up in Aspen. The 800-sq.-ft. shop reflects the brand’s upcoming new store concept, which is based on a well-balanced, playful aesthetic that the company’s describes as “mid-century quirk.” At the same time, the store design is quintessentially Original Penguin with nods to the retailer’s 60 years of heritage. Walnut wood textures against crisp, white backdrops create warmer tones throughout the store.  

When it comes to expanding globally, the United States is the leader of the pack.   That’s according to CBRE Group Inc.’s 10th annual study of international retail expansion, which surveyed 166 cities across 51 countries regarding how many international retailers had debuted in their markets in 2016. The survey found that retailers’ expansion into new markets increased by 2% in 2016, down from 3.1% in CBRE’s 2015 study.    

The Buckle is losing its finance chief.   The apparel retailer on Thursday said that Karen B. Rhoads, senior VP of finance and CFO, will retire later this summer. She will continue to serve as a member of the board. Rhodes joined the Buckle in 1980, and has served as CFO since 1991.     The retailer has hired an executive search firm to assist with the search for Rhoads’ replacement. Rhoads will remain in her role to support the search and to assist with the transition.  

An online start-up has turned to a traditional retailer to help grown its brand.    Target Corp. has entered into a partnership with Casper, an online brand credited with disrupting the mattress category. Target will start selling the brand’s mattresses and other products, including a few exclusive items, beginning on June 18.