Direct To Consumer (DTC)

A strong roster of rock icons is coming to Lucky Brand stores and wholesale customers thanks to a licensing deal with Epic Rights.

Lucky Brand will create a new line of tops and headwear that feature artists represented by Epic Rights including KISS, Journey, Def Leppard, Billy Idol, The Doobie Brothers, Jefferson Airplane and CBGB.  The apparel will be sold exclusively at Lucky Brand retail and wholesale locations nationwide and online beginning in spring 2016.

The emphasis on omnichannel commerce has largely laid to rest (at least for now) the debate of online versus offline. Indeed, A.T. Kearney put it best in the title of a recent study, “On Solid Ground: Brick and Mortar is the Foundation of Omnichannel Retailing.”

The Running Specialty Group is uniting its various store banners under one of its newest brands: JackRabbit.

Life just got a little easier for merchants who sell goods on Shopify. The cloud-based e-commerce platform is partnering with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) for direct, discounted shipping.

Retailers can now buy and print discounted shipping labels directly within the Shopify platform. Labels will be up to 60% off retail rates. In addition to saving money when purchasing shipping labels, merchants will now have the ability to either drop prepaid shipments off at USPS offices without having to wait in line, or they can schedule a free home pickup.

REI has promoted Rachel Ligtenberg to VP of retail following a 25-year tenure with the company.

In her new role, she adds retail operations to her current responsibilities of leading store design, visual merchandising and the co-op's flagship strategy.

Ligtenberg will continue to enhance REI's retail experience through new store design concepts to showcase its products, services and educational programs.

REI has promoted Rachel Ligtenberg to VP of retail following a 25-year tenure with the company.

In her new role, she adds retail operations to her current responsibilities of leading store design, visual merchandising and the co-op's flagship strategy.

Ligtenberg will continue to enhance REI's retail experience through new store design concepts to showcase its products, services and educational programs.

Membership buying club DirectBuy is taking its direct sales model to a new level of directness. The retailer has launched the My DirectBuy mobile app.

The iOS and Android app allows DirectBuy to search for products, browse promotions, and place and track orders on the companion My DirectBuy website.

The maker of bagless and cordless vacuum cleaners and high-tech fans is looking to sell its products in its own branded spaces.

Dyson is planning to open a store on London’s Oxford Street as a prelude to opening locations around the world, The Daily Mail reported. The company has previously opened pop-ups at the Bluewater shopping center in Kent, England, and in select malls in the United States.

Macy’s Inc. relatively new to the outlet sector but it’s making up for lost time.

On the heels of the debut of its Macy’s Backstage off-price format and the news that it would close up to 40 underperforming namesake stores, the retailer announced it will open two Bloomingdale’s Outlet stores in November, at The Shops at Liberty Place in Philadelphia, and at Westfield Mission Valley in San Diego.

An innovative cause marketing initiative involving Nordstrom’s Treasure&Bond brand is being expanded to more merchandise categories, and non-profit beneficiaries couldn’t be happier.