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Nordstrom shoppers will now be able to purchase J.Crew apparel, as well as its sister brand Madewell.   Continuing to expand its partnerships with select brands, the department store retailer has entered into a new deal with J. Crew Group to sell an edited assortment of J.Crew apparel at select full-line Nordstrom and on its website beginning Sept. 12.       The assortment, to be featured in 16 Nordstrom locations, will include women's apparel, accessories and petites (online only).

Toys "R" Us announced the appointment of Melanie Teed-Murch as president, Toys "R" Us, Canada, effective Sept. 1.       Teed-Murch joined the retailer in 1996 as a store manager for Toys "R" Us in Kitchener, Ontario. She went on to hold a variety of senior leadership, merchandising and operational roles with increasing responsibility, including her most recent position as Canada's chief merchant.  

At the Converse Store on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, “customization maestros” help sneaker fans manufacture their dream shoe.   

There’s no getting around it: It’s been a long, hot summer for the retail industry, one that many retailers will be happy to see end.

From the liquidation of The Sports Authority and Hancock Fabrics to the downsizing of Macy’s and Office Max (to name a few), the past few months have been full of angst as merchants struggle to find their way in a disrupted marketplace.

The good news is that many merchants are rising to the task. They are making the hard calls, however painful, and investments necessary to compete in today’s omnichannel world.

Amazon isn’t selling cars — at least not yet anyway — but it has launched a site where consumers can research and compare cars and read reviews.   Called Amazon Vehicles, the new site is designed as a research destination for customers shopping for vehicles, parts, and accessories   It includes detailed specifications, photos and reviews for an array of car models, both new and classic, ranging from Tesla Motors' 2014 Model S to the 1965 Ford Mustang.  

Online brand enters brick-and-mortar space with style

Online menswear retailer Combatant Gentlemen has made the leap to brick-and-mortar with a sleek, streamlined space that speaks to its millennial audience.

It opened its first permanent retail store in July, at Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, Calif., having previously opened pop-up shops in New York City and Los Angeles, and a showroom at its headquarters in Irvine, Calif. At 2,220 sq.

A company named after the first reptile to develop the feather for flight — archaeopteryx lithographica — is moving to expand its fledgling store portfolio.

Founded in 1991, Vancouver, British Columbia-based Arc’teryx is a manufacturer of high-performance outdoor apparel and equipment. Although the brand’s roots lie in the climbing landscape, it has long since expanded to include skiing, backpacking and other outdoor activities.

Destination XL Group Inc. reported a profit in its second quarter amid the ongoing strength of its DXL larger store format.   The retailer of big and tall apparel for men posted net income for the second quarter of $0.2 million, compared with a net loss of $1.0 million in the year ago period.