Direct To Consumer (DTC)

Consumers are doing even more holiday shopping from their desktop computers this year, according to a new report from comScore.

The Internet analytics company reports that U.S. consumer spending from desktop computers for the first 44 days of the November-December 2014 holiday shopping season is up 15% from last year, to $42.5 billion.

New York - In a long-awaited decision handed down late Monday, Dov Charney, the controversial founder of American Apparel, has been fired "for cause" as CEO. He was suspended as president and CEO of the hipster apparel chain in June for alleged misconduct and violations of company policy, American Apparel said in a statement. The decision was made by the board’s “suitability committee,” which was formed in the wake of Charney’s suspension to oversee an internal investigation.

Brisbane, Calif. – Bebe Stores Inc. has named Jim Wiggett, who has been serving as interim CEO since June 2014, as permanent CEO and member of the board of directors. Wiggett is a 40-year retail and business veteran.  

Phoenix – PetSmart Inc. has agreed to be purchased for about $8.7 billion by a consortium of buyers led by private equity firm B.C. Partners and also including pension fund manager La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and private equity firm StepStone. The total figure represents an acquisition price of $83 per share, a 39% premium over PetSmart’s closing price on July 2, 2014.  

  New York - Online marketer Rent the Runway has signed a lease to open a store in Chicago. It will be the third freestanding store for the company, with one in New York City, and one in Washington, D.C. The company also operates a shop inside the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.   Rent the Runway  rents designer dresses for four days or eight days. Prices range from $30 to $450 for four-day rentals, depending on the dress. It also rents jewelry, handbags and other accessories. 

Washington, D.C. – The recent spate of investments in Indian e-commerce ventures appear to be based on solid expectations. According to a new report from MarketResearch.com, the e-commerce market in India will reach $51 billion by 2017, growing at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 43% during 2012-2017.  

New York - New York City’s first outlet center is expected to transform the Staten Island waterfront when it opens in 2016 adjacent to the 630-ft.-high New York observation wheel on the New York Harbor.

A sharper focus on merchandising and marketing netted positive results for Gymboree, as the company reported an increase in same store sales for the third quarter.

But the company did report a steep loss of $522.1 million, compared with a loss of $24 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2013. Same store sales increased 1%. Net sales were $316.8 million, compared with $309.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013.

  Vancouver, Canada – Net earnings at Lululemon Athletica Inc. fell 8% to $60.45 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 from $66.11 million a year earlier to increases in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses and cost of goods sold.    Net revenue fared better, rising 10% to $419.4 million from $379.9 million. Same-store sales fell 3% but total comparable sales, including direct-to-consumer revenue, climbed 3%.

BOCA RATON, Fla. - Polaroid Fotobar is opening two of its smaller-format “micro-store”  locations in the San Jose, California, area, with the first opening on Wednesday, at Westfield Oakridge. The second location, at Westfield Valley Fair, will open in mid-December.