Direct To Consumer (DTC)

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.

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.

  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. 

  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.  

San Francisco – To serve the needs of tech-oriented holiday shoppers, “Wired” is opening a pop-up store in New York City and an e-shop at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The annual holiday pop-up in New York showcases items hand-selected by “Wired” editors and curators, and will be open Dec. 11-21.    

New York - Amazon is testing new features, one for the way it delivers goods, and the other a new pricing option that enables shoppers to haggle directly with third-party marketplace sellers for lower prices.    The online giant is testing bike messengers deliveries in New York City, according to various media reports.