Direct To Consumer (DTC)

Vancouver -- Loft, a division of Ann Inc., will open its first Canadian West Coast location, at The Village at Park Royal, in Vancouver, on Nov. 15.

Since its arrival in Canada last year, Loft has opened five locations across Ontario and introduced international shipping.    

Chelmsford, Mass. -- It only take an average of 2.2 negative experiences for  Americans to stop purchasing from a retail brand -- across any channel, according to a new survey commissioned by Kronos Inc. Underscoring the urgency of a seamless omni-channel experience, 68% of Americans agree that a negative shopping experience within a single channel negatively impacts their perception across all shopping channels including physical stores, online, mobile, phone centers, and catalog.

Falls Church, Va. -- Ridemakerz, the build-a-car retailer, will open a 1,300-sq.-ft. in-store shop at FAO Schwarz Fifth Avenue, on Nov. 11. A highlight of the space will be the Ridemakerz “build table” where customers can assemble their cars, attaching the body of the car to the chassis and adding custom rims and tires.

Mini catalogs help offset increased costs of mailing, without sacrificing circulation

In the largest price increase since 2007, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is proposing a rate hike of 5.9%, a move that has catalog mailers scrambling to assess the impact of such an increase and also evaluating less expensive alternatives. The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) has up to 90 days to rule on the proposal, with the price increase going into effect as early as Jan. 27, 2014.

Wolverine Worldwide has appointed Ira P. Hernowitz as president of the Stride Rite Children's Group.

Hernowitz most recently served as EVP of "R" Us Brands for Toys “R” Us, Inc. He has served in a variety of leadership roles throughout his career, and deep experience in children's products.

Hointer converges mobile and in-store shopping

Hointer Inc., a Seattle-based denimwear retailer, may be new (the first store opened in April 2012) and small (two branded stores in Seattle plus a pop-up inside a Levi’s store in New York City), but its goal is impressively large.

New York — Faith Hope Consolo, chairman, and Joseph Aquino, executive VP of Douglas Elliman’s Retail Group have arranged a multi-level Soho flagship for Alice + Olivia By Stacey Bendet at 98 Greene Street between Spring and Prince Streets.

Toronto -- Canada’s Hudson's Bay Co. said Monday that it has completed its $2.4 billion acquisition of Saks Inc. Saks shareholders overwhelmingly approved the sale of the New York company during a special meeting on Wednesday. The combined company will operate a total of 320 stores, including 179 full-line specialty department stores, 72 outlet stores and 69 home stores in prime locations throughout the U.S., and Canada, along with three e-commerce sites.