Direct To Consumer (DTC)

New York -- Google is planning to open freestanding retail stores in the United States, with the first flagship locations open in time for the 2013 holiday shopping season, according to a report by online site 9to5Google.

“Google feels right now that many potential customers need to get hands-on experience with its products before they are willing to purchase," the website reported.
 

Apparel manufacturer, VF Corp. reported that its fourth quarter 2012 revenues rose 4% (5% in constant dollars) to a record $3 billion from $2.9 billion in the same period of 2011 driven by strength in the outdoor and action sports and sportswear coalitions, and its international and direct-to-consumer businesses. The sale of John Varvatos in April 2012 negatively impacted VF’s revenue growth by 1 percentage point in the fourth quarter.

New York -- Ralph Lauren Corp. will debut its Denim & Supply retail banner in the United States, opening a store in New York City this spring, according to WWD.com. It will be the first freestanding U.S. location for the brand, which features affordable price points.  

New York -- A Friday report by Bloomberg said that Office Depot is considering selling the remaining 50% of its Mexican unit to Grupo Gigante SAB, which currently owns the other half.

Citing unnamed sources, Bloomberg reported that Grupo Gigante is in talks with local banks to fund the acquisition of Office Depot de Mexico.
 

WASHINGTON -- American Eagle Outfitters has expanded its partnership with the Student Conservation Association to engage students in service to America's national parks.

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- Amazon has extended its domination of e-retail into the mobile platform, according to the ForeSee Mobile Satisfaction Index: Holiday Retail Edition, released on Tuesday by ForeSee.

In a survey of more than 6,200 consumers collected during the peak holiday shopping season between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Amazon scored highest among 25 of the top mobile commerce companies.

NEW YORK — Saban Brands that Fisher-Price Inc., a subsidiary of Mattel, will be the global master toy licensee for the company's newly announced Julius Jr. property. Julius Jr. is an animated preschool series slated to launch on Nick Jr. in 2013, and is inspired by the Paul Frank family of characters and its iconic monkey, Julius. Fisher-Price plans to produce a full range of products including playsets, plush, role play toys and more for the global marketplace.

Sherman Oaks, Calif. — American apparel brand Cherokee Inc. said Monday it has partnered with Chinese hypermarket chain RT Mart to launch an online Cherokee store on China’s largest e-commerce website, Tmall.com.

Cherokee will join Gap, Uniqlo, Adidas and Levi’s, who have each opened retail storefronts on Tmall.com.

MONTREAL — Target has presented its Emerging Designer Award to Mélissa Nepton. Nepton was selected from a group of five finalists as the grand prize winner during the final competition hosted last night at Montreal Fashion Week. The Target Emerging Designer Award is part of the Designers Fund, a joint initiative of Groupe Sensation Mode and Fondation de la mode de Montréal.

Business-to-consumer e-commerce sales in 2012 grew 21.1% to top $1 trillion for the first time, according to new global estimates by research firm, eMarketer. 

The firm predicts that 2013 will be even better, with e-commerce sales up 18.3% to $1.298 trillion worldwide, on the strength of the Asia-Pacific market.