Direct To Consumer (DTC)

Mobile retailing’s time has arrived.   Mobile devices are beginning to dominate the commerce landscape, and retailers ready to capitalize on this trend will be successful at driving transactions for the shopping seasons to follow.  

Flip Flop Shops is expanding in both the physical and online channels.   The company, which was acquired by Cherokee Global Brands last year, is introducing a new “super kiosk” format. Measuring approximately 300 sq. ft. and built in the shape of a giant flip flop, the concept is slated for national rollout. It is designed to offer a nimble and novel format expansion to Flip Flop Shops’ retail presence.  

The Lands' End experience has arrived in the SoHo section of Manhattan.   Lands' End opened an 8,000-sq.-ft., two-floor temporary store, at 580 Broadway, featuring men's, women's and kids' apparel, footwear and accessories from the fall, holiday and winter along with a variety of personalization services and experiences.    

Stuart Wetizman’s new service is connecting loyal shoppers with their “solemates.”

Called "The Ultimate Boot Guide,” the luxury footwear brand’s new digital service assists shoppers as they the hunt for their “perfect pair of boots” among more than 70 boot styles available this season on Stuartweitzman.com.

The more casual sister of Loft and Ann Taylor has opened its first location in New York City.

The store, in Manhattan’s Flatiron district, reflects the easy-going, laid-back approach of the merchandise on display, with a design that evokes a soft, clean feeling. It features marble tables and fitting rooms that evoke a lounge space – floating curtains in linen with pink velvet stools.
       

Just in time to kick-off the 2016 NFL season, the Carolina Panthers are giving fans another reason to cheer.   The defending NFC champions upgraded the Carolina Panthers Official Shop, the team’s official online store — a move that promises “to pro-vide Panthers fans worldwide with an exceptional online shopping expe-rience,” according to a company statement.   

Francesca’s Holdings Corp. posted better-than-expected sales and earnings for its second quarter, helped in part by higher online sales.   The retailer reported a profit of $10.6 million, or 27 cents a share, compared with a profit of $9.3 million, or 22 cents a share, in the year-ago period.      Sales increased 9% to $115.3 million, helped by a net gain of 44 stores over the year-ago period. Online sales rose 37%.    

On the heels of announcing plans to open smaller, “local” stores, lululemon athletica hopes to further extend the breadth of its brand by expanding its ship-from-store service — just in time for the upcoming holiday shopping season.    The program, which currently encompasses 11 stores, will grow to 65 locations, a move that will streamline fulfillment of online orders, Laurent Potdevin, lululemon’s CEO, said during the company’s fiscal second quarter 2016 earnings call last week.