Direct To Consumer (DTC)

Eastern Outfitters, the parent company of Eastern Mountain Sports and Bob’s Stores, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.     The company listed assets and liabilities in the range of $100 million to $500 million in its filing        British sporting goods retailer Sports Direct International has engaged in extensive talks with Eastern Outfitters to become a stalking-horse bidder in a bankruptcy auction, Reuters reported.    

A blockbuster deal in retail could be on the horizon. Or not.   Canada’s Hudson's Bay Company has approached Macy’s about a takeover, reported The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter.   The talks between the companies are in the early stages and could lead to something other than an acquisition, according to the Journal, such as a deal for Macy’s real estate, which could be valued at roughly $14 billion. The talks could also go nowhere.

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. is making a new strategic investment — one that will up the ante in the hyper-competitive e-commerce marketplace.  

The Wet Seal has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in a little over two years.   The move comes after the struggling teen apparel retailer said it planned to close all its stores after it was unable to find a buyer or fresh capital.  The company’s website is still selling merchandise, with all goods discounted.     

On the heels of a less than stellar holiday, Target Corp. is scaling back on some parts of its innovation agenda in order to concentrate on its core business.    The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that Target has scrapped its highly secretive e-commerce startup called Goldfish, and also has shelved a prototype for a store of the future, complete with robots, that was due to be built soon.

Cross-border online retail is on an upward trajectory, and a catalyst for domestic retailers to grow their businesses.   That’s according to “The 21st Century Spice Trade: A Guide to the Cross-Border E-Commerce Opportunity,” a report form DHL Express. Based on responses from more than 1,800 retailers and manufacturers in six countries, the study details the markets and products that offer the highest growth potential, and motivate customers to buy internationally.   

Will A. Smith has joined Abercrombie & Fitch Co. as chief marketing officer.   Smith, who will report to president and chief merchandising officer Fran Horowitz, will be responsible for all brand, creative and digital marketing across the chain.   

In addition to disappointing fourth quarter sales, Under Armour announced that its CFO is stepping down.   The company reported that CFO Chip Molloy is leaving the company “due to personal reasons,” and David Bergman, Under Armour’s senior VP, corporate finance, will serve as acting CFO. Molloy will remain with the company in an advisory capacity to assist with the transition, the brand said.