Direct To Consumer (DTC)

New York -- Gap Inc. is eyeing the 110,000-sq.-ft. Toys “R” Us flagship at 1514 -1530 Broadway, according to The Real Deal.

Sources say the specialty apparel retailer may split the space between Old Navy and Gap stores.

The massive retail space comes with a hefty price tag: the ground floor alone goes for $2,500 per square foot per year in rent, while the top floor is going for $150 per square foot, and the basement for $350 per square foot.

New York - Charming Charlie has unveiled its first New York City flagship store. Situated on Fifth Avenue, the flagship is a showcase for the brand's new store concept, and was designed in partnership with Callison Architects.  

Seattle - Amazon.com continues tweaking its shipping policies. A week after offering free same-day delivery for members of its Amazon Prime loyalty program in select cities, the retailer is now offering all customers free shipping on lightweight items in a program called Fulfillment by Amazon Small and Light.

The eligible goods include cosmetics and mobile phone accessories. There is no minimum purchase requirement, and membership in Amazon Prime, which offers free shipping on all purchases, is not required.

St. Petersburg – HSN Inc. is partnering with the Card Services division of Alliance Data Systems Corp. (ADS) to provide private label credit card services for its Cornerstone business unit. Alliance Data will develop loyalty-driven card programs for five of Cornerstone's seven multichannel brands -- Ballard Designs, Frontgate, Garnet Hill, Grandin Road and Improvements – each incorporating a tailored approach for their unique customer base.

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores is signing up for a new e-commerce product from Pinterest that allows users to shop in a whole new way.

Los Angeles – Accepting an online order and then cancelling it due to inventory shortages is probably the most damaging customer interaction an omnichannel retailer can have. Vertical specialty footwear retailer Chinese Laundry, which operates a direct-to-consumer website as well as two stores in Las Vegas and one in Canoga Park, California, is well aware of this problem.

Fort Wayne, Ind. - Vera Bradley, Inc. announced that Theresa Palermo has been named executive VP, CMO, effective June 22.

Dallas - Donald T. Grimes will be joining Neiman Marcus Group as executive VP, COO and CFO. Grimes will succeed Jim Skinner, who will continue to be part of the company’s management team in the newly created role of vice chairman, Neiman Marcus Group.