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Two menswear brands founded online are growing their brick-and-mortar operations.   Made-to-measure men’s clothing maker Indochino, which was founded in 2007, plans to open eight new locations in 2017. Three are slated to open in the brand’s home territory of Canada, and five in the U.S.    “This year, we’re almost doubling our showroom network as we focus on significantly expanding our experiential retail model,” stated Drew Green, CEO, Indochino.  

The struggles of brick-and-mortar retailers have dominated industry headlines over the past few months with an unprecedented number of store closings announced. However, while the bad news has come from all corners, specialty retailers as well as general merchandisers, it has been department stores that have perhaps attracted the most headlines.  

Uniqlo is set to open its third location in Canada.   The Japanese retail giant will open a two-level, 20,630-sq. ft. store at Metropolis at Metrotown, Burnaby, this fall. It will be Uniqlo’s first location in British Columbia, with the retailer’s other two Canadian stores in Toronto.   

An array of private equity firms are interested in The Body Shop.   The beauty retailer, which is owned by cosmetics giant L’Oreal, has drawn bids from around 15 private equity firms and companies, including Bain Capital, CVC Capital Partners, Carlyle Group LP and South Korea’s CJ Group, Bloomberg reported.   

Under Armour has brought its experiential “brand house” store concept to downtown Detroit.    The three-floor, 17,000-sq.-ft. space reflects the company’s roots in Baltimore and also pays homage to the history and spirit of Detroit. The design uses athlete imagery and product installations to convey an immersive brand experience and inspire customers.   

Gymboree Corp.’s debt and mounting losses may have finally caught up with it.   The embattled retailer is preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, Bloomberg reported, as it faces a June 1 interest payment on its debt.   Gymboree has more than $1 billion in debt resulting from its Bain Capital buyout in 2010. It warned in March that it was running short on cash.   

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. now has a way to get its fashions into the hands of its loyal shoppers in Southeast Asia — and fast.   Through a new wholesale agreement with Asia's leading online fashion destination Zalora, the teen apparel retailer will begin selling its Hollister merchandise through Zalora's online stores starting next week. The site will also begin offering Abercrombie & Fitch product later this month, according to Abercrombie & Fitch.  

A veteran retailer has been named co-chairman of Lululemon Athletica.   The retailer has appointed Glen Murphy to its board as co-chairman, effective immediately.    Murphy served as chairman and CEO of Gap Inc. from 2007 to 2014. Prior to that, he was CEO of Canadian drugstore chain Shoppers Drug Mart. Currently, Murphy is head of FIS Holdings, where he is responsible for leading the high-impact consumer-focused investment firm deploying a combination of operating guidance and capital flexibility.