Direct To Consumer (DTC)

New York City -- According to a Wednesday filing with the SEC, major Barnes & Noble shareholder, Aletheia Research & Management, has cut its stake in the bookseller from 10.6% to 8.65%.

Aletheia was accused by Barnes & Noble of teaming with activist investor billionaire Ron Burkle during a proxy fight last year.

The reduction comes about two weeks after Liberty Media made a $1 billion offer for Barnes & Noble.

Austin, Texas -- Whole Foods Market announced the addition of Blake W. Nordstrom to the company's board of directors, increasing the size of the board to 12 members. He will serve on the audit committee.

Nordstrom, 50, has been president of Nordstrom since 2000 and has served as a member of the company's board of directors since 2005.
 

Northbrook, Ill. -- Pine Tree Commercial Realty and New York City-based Silverpeak Real Estate Partners announced they have formed a joint venture with the goal of acquiring retail assets and portfolios across the United States.

According to Chris Westfahl, principal of Silverpeak, and Peter Borzak, co-founder and principal of Pine Tree, the new JV – Pine Tree Silverpeak Retail Partners LLC – plans to pursue transactions greater than $10 million and across the risk spectrum, ranging from raw land for development to stabilized core assets.

New York City -- Cushman & Wakefield announced that Anthropologie will replace the Lowes movie theater on the northwest corner of Third Avenue and 71st Street, in Manhattan.

The theater, which had occupied the space for 50 years, closed at the end of 2010.

The apparel retailer, which has three other locations in New York City (50 Rockefeller Plaza, 85 Fifth Avenue and 375 West Broadway) will occupy approximately 15,000 sq. ft., combining the ground floor and lower level.

HINGHAM, Mass. — Talbots reported that first quarter income from continuing operations was $0.9 million, or 1 cent per share, compared with last year’s loss from continuing operations of $7.1 million, or 12 cents per share.

NEW YORK — New Balance has partnered with supermodel Heidi Klum for a new line of women's footwear to be sold exclusively on Amazon.com, beginning this month.

"We all need a good pair of sneakers whether its for running to the gym or running to the store," said Klum.  "I have extended my line with New Balance and designed a few stylish pairs of sneakers. Very exciting!"

New York City -- Loehmann's Holdings announced  that Steven M. Newman has been appointed CEO.

Newman, who will also be a member of Loehmann's board of directors, will join the company in the second week of June. He assumes the CEO role from interim CEO Joe Melvin who will remain as COO of the company.

Hong Kong -- Italian fashion house Prada, which is preparing for an initial public offering of about $2 billion in Hong Kong, said it plans to use most of the proceeds on expansion and renovation of its stores over the next 18 months.

The Milan-based company said it plans to add a net total of about 80 directly operated stores by the end of January 2012, most of them in the Asia Pacific region, where it sees "substantial potential for growth," Prada said in the a regulatory filing.

Santa Clara, Calif. -- Nearly half (48%) of retailers do not offer product ratings or reviews on their website, according to a survey by CrossView, a provider of cross-channel commerce solutions.

New York City -- Cushman & Wakefield announced that Stella McCartney, the fashion and accessories retailer and daughter of Paul McCartney, will open a new store at 112 Greene Street between Prince and Spring Streets, in the SoHo area of Manhattan.

The opening is planned for the fall.

Stella McCartney will occupy approximately 5,200 total sq. ft. between the ground floor and lower level in a 10-year lease.