Direct To Consumer (DTC)

New Albany, Ohio -- Abercrombie & Fitch Co. swung to a loss in its third quarter, dragged down in part by charges related to the shuttering of its 28 freestanding Gilly Hicks stores. But its adjusted profit topped analysts' estimates, even as its sales softened.

Amazon.com is going to start offering Black Friday deals a day earlier than last year, beginning Sunday, Nov. 24, as often as every 10 minutes.

“We are heading into the busiest and most fun time of the year for Amazon, with an astonishing number of deals for customers,” said Craig Berman, VP, Amazon Global Communications.

Consumers will be able to pick from an assortment of electronics, toys, books, movies and tools and will be also able to shop via the mobile shopping app.

New York -- China takes the top spot in online retail market opportunity, followed by Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Korea, according to a new global e-commerce study by A.T. Kearney. (Kearney’s “2013 Global Retail E-Commerce Index” is comprised of 30 developed and developing markets.)

Home improvement retailers are reaping the rewards of a healthier housing market and so is Williams-Sonoma. The company reported strong third quarter results and raised its fourth quarter outlook as a result.

Comparable brand revenue growth in the quarter increased 8.2% on top of 8.5% in the year-ago quarter. The company saw revenue growth across all its brands, but results were primarily driven by West Elm, which saw revenue jump 22.2% compared to 13% last year, and PBteen, which saw revenue jump 16.7%, compared to 2% last year.

Austin, Texas — Jones Lang LaSalle has announced the addition of seven brokerage experts to its national program. Austin McWilliams joined the firm as a senior VP; Travis Sawvell and Jon Switzer joined as VPs, and Katie Carlisle joined as an associate, all based in Austin. Their additions come on the heels of the firm’s newly formed Austin Retail Brokerage practice led by newcomers Todd Wallace and Robert O’Farrell.  

Philadelphia -- Urban Outfitters’ third quarter profit increased 18%, helped by strong results at its Anthropologie and Free People divisions. The company's quarterly earnings per share and sales both in above estimates.

Urban Outfitters’ net income totaled $70.2 million, up 18% from $59.5 million.

Net sales equaled about $774 million, a 12% increase from $692.9 million. Same-store segment net sales, which include the direct-to-consumer channel, increased 7%.

Suffern, N.Y. — Lane Bryant has opened new stores in Kentucky, New Jersey and Texas. The Kentucky store is located at The Shoppes at Gary Farms in Bowling Green. In New Jersey, the new Lane Bryant has opened at Willow Ridge Plaza in Marlton. The third location is in the Chimney Rock Shopping Center in Odessa, Texas.

Lane Bryant is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ascena Retail Group.

Columbus, Ohio – Lane Bryant has opened three new stores and reopened two stores as of Nov. 15. The three new stores are located in Gretna Crossing Outlets in Gretna, Neb., Spectrum Town Center in Chino, Calif., and Outlets of Mississippi in Pearl, Miss.