Direct To Consumer (DTC)

Los Angeles -- Apparel retailer American Apparel Inc. has fired its controversial founder Dov Charney as chairman, effective immediately, and has moved to fire him as CEO and president. The actions come on the heels of an ongoing investigation into alleged misconduct by Charney, who has been targeted in sexual harassment lawsuits and charged with allegations of misconduct for years.

New York -- Coach plans to shutter about 70 underperforming stores in fiscal 2015, Crain’s New York reported. The retailer, which has been under heavy competitive pressure from Michael Kors and other upscale companies, also gave a disappointing revenue forecast for its current fiscal year.
   

Scarborough, Maine -- Cole Haan is opening a flagship location in the Ginza, Tokyo's premier shopping district. The 2,000-sq.-ft. store debuts the company’s global format. Cole Haan also plans to use the store as a launching point for growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

Architecture firm Anderson Architects in New York led the design of the ground-floor store, in partnership with local architects Garde Co.

Nearly two months after opening up a specialty retail location in New York’s SoHo neighborhood, Under Armour has confirmed that it plans to open in March 2015 its latest Brand House at 600 North Michigan Ave. in Chicago’s Magnificent Mile.

DSW’s Affiliated Business Group (ABG) division and Yellow Box Corporation have partnered to open a Yellow Box concept store at The Falls Shopping Center in Miami, Florida, Friday, June 20.

Yellow Box plans to host a grand opening event with Lucky Magazine on the afternoon of Saturday, June 28. The company also plans to open two additional stores in Southern California at the Topanga  and Sherman Oaks shopping centers in August.

Yellow Box is a leading women's footwear wholesaler notable for jeweled sandals and fashion footwear for women.

New York -- DSW Inc.'s Affiliated Business Group and Yellow Box Corporation will open the first-ever Yellow Box store on June 20, at The Falls Shopping Center in Miami. The store opens on June 20.

Houston -- Francesca's Holdings Corp. announced the appointment of R. David Minnix, Jr., as senior VP and head of boutiques, effective  July 8.  

New York -- Instacart, the same-day grocery delivery service, has raised $44 million in a funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz.

The San Francisco startup currently operates in San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles and seven other U.S. cities. With its new funding, it Instacart expects to expand into 17 cities by the end of 2014.