Direct To Consumer (DTC)

Build-A-Bear Workshop is embarking on an effort to make its iconic in-store experience more fun than ever for kids of all ages with the opening of a new format at America's largest shopping mall.

Part of a company-wide brand refresh, the reformatted store, located on the first level in the north wing, officially re-opened its doors this morning after a multi-month renovation. The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured special guests from Parents in Community Action, Inc., a private, nonprofit that operates Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Hennepin County, Minn.

New York -- A Swedish-based payments company that allows mobile shoppers to pay for a purchase after has been delivered has entered the increasingly competitive U.S. payments market.

On Tuesday, Stockholm-based Klarna announced its official U.S. launch, with Overstock.com as its first major retail partner.

In the latest example of clicks to bricks, online upscale discounter Gilt.com has launched a new service at its New York office that sounds a lot like what retailers call a “store.”

New York -- Rebecca Minkoff has brought its “Store of the Future” concept to Los Angeles.  

Los Angeles – Forever 21, known for operating some truly large stores, is reportedly rethinking that strategy.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the specialty fast-fashion retailer is also in talks to obtain a $150 million load.

New York -- Teen fave Nasty Gal is deploying cutting-edge LED technology to show off its on-trend fashions.

The online retailer has opened two brick-and-mortar stores (one in Los Angeles and the other in Santa Monica), and both feature LEDs by Solais Lighting, a division of PowerSecure Lighting and part of PowerSecure International.

Seattle – Amazon.com is piloting a program that delivers products from farmers markets to consumer tables (or at least their front doors).   

Partnering with farmers market delivery service Fresh Nation LLC, Amazon is delivering individual orders of farmers market goods, as well as prepared gift baskets of fresh fruits and vegetables, to customers in Los Angeles and Orange and San Diego counties in Southern California.

New York -- Members of the flash sale site Gilt will soon be able to see close up some of the site’s designer deals on the popular website, complete with a personal stylist — but only if they book ahead.