Direct To Consumer (DTC)

Specialty retailer Express expects to have its first stores in Latin America open by year end.

ATLANTA — Aaron's, a lease-to-own retailer specializing in the sales and lease ownership of residential furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories, announced that Hubert Harris, Jr., has been elected to its board of directors. Harris is the former CEO of Invesco North America.

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- ForeSee, a provider of technology-driven customer experience analytics, announced that it is working with leading multichannel retailer HSN to measure and analyze the customer experience of its mobile-optimized site and mobile apps with ForeSee's new Mobile On-Exit technology.

Moorestown, N.J. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said that Australian fashion retailer Cotton On will open its first South Jersey location at Moorestown Mall this fall.

The 3,500-sq.-ft. store joins a recently opened Kids Foot Locker; Crazy 8 is scheduled to join the mall this fall.

Moorestown Mall is a 1 million-sq.-ft. enclosed regional shopping mall anchored by Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, Sears and Boscov’s.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Despite reporting a wider net loss and sales declines for its second quarter of 2012, Office Depot remains confident in its key goals.

CHICAGO — Claire's Stores announced that Jay Friedman, president of Claire's Stores North America, has resigned effective immediately. Claire's has commenced a search with the executive recruiting firm of Spencer Stuart to fill the open position.  Until a replacement is appointed, James Fielding, Claire's CEO, will assume Mr. Friedman's duties.

Lakewood, Colo. -- Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group said that Ann Taylor Loft will open a store this fall at outlet and value shopping destination Colorado Mills, located in the Denver suburb of Lakewood.

Loft will be located near Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Ann Taylor Factory Outlet and Banana Republic Factory Store.
 

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — HSN Inc. reported that total sales for the company grew 6% to $767.2 million for the second quarter. Sales at the company's HSN segment increased 4% to $501.9 million, including 8% growth in digital sales. Cornerstone's net sales increased 11% to $265.3 million, including 17% growth in digital sales.

Adjusted EPS increased 10% to 67 cents compared with 61 cents in the prior year. GAAP income from continuing operations per diluted share increased 13% to 61 cents compared with 54 cents in the prior year.

DODGEVILLE, Wis. — Lands’ End has named Michael Rosera as chief operating and finance officer. In his role he is responsible for accounting, financial reporting, legal, information technology and integrated company planning. As the leader of finance and operations and a member of the executive team, Rosera reports directly to Edgar Huber, CEO and president of Lands’ End.

Hong Kong -- A Tuesday report by Bloomberg said that J. Crew will open its first Asia store – in Hong Kong – as early as 2013. CEO Millard “Mickey” Drexler told the news service that the retailer is also seeking sites in Beijing and Shanghai.

“We feel that we’re ready to go international,” said Drexler. “Going international is a strong learning curve and it could distract us from building our business in the United States, but we feel that the time is right now.”