Direct To Consumer (DTC)

Medford, Ore. -- Harry & David Holdings filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday, according to a filing.

The gift basket retailer will continue to operate the business as debtors under the jurisdiction of the bankruptcy court. The company has nearly $200 million in outstanding debt.

Harry & David sells its products through catalogs, its website and in stores, which are primarily in factory outlet malls across the nation.

NEW YORK -- Teen fashion retailer Delia's has announced the appointment of two shareholder representatives to its board of directors effective March 25. The two new directors are Michael Zimmerman, the founder and CEO of Prentice Capital Management, LP, and Mario Ciampi, the managing partner of Prentice Capital Management, LP. Zimmerman will also serve as a member of the corporate governance and nominating committee, and Ciampi will be a member of the compensation Committee.

Hingham, Mass. -- The Talbots reported Thursday a narrower-than-expected fiscal fourth-quarter loss, and said it plans to expand its store re-image program to improve traffic. The chain also it expects to close as many as 100 stores over the next two years.

Talbots lost $2.8 million in the quarter ended Jan. 29, compared with a loss of $1.5 million in the year-ago period.

Net sales fell 7.4% to $292.6 million, compared with $315.9 million in the same period last year. Same-store sales dropped 7.3%.

Bensalem, Pa. -- Charming Shoppes said Thursday it recorded a net loss on a GAAP basis of $30.4 million for the quarter ended Jan. 29, compared with a loss of $28 million a year earlier. The company also announced the announced the appointment of Anthony M. Romano, COO and acting CEO, as president and CEO.

Seattle – Nordstrom said Thursday it has completed its acquisition of online private sale marketplace HauteLook, effective March 23.

Nordstrom said the acquisition will enable it to participate in the fast-growing private sale marketplace and provide a platform to increase innovation and speed in the way it serves customers in all channels.

SEATTLE -- Terry Pillow, CEO of the Tommy Bahama Group, has announced the appointment of Rob Goldberg as SVP marketing. Goldberg, who joined Tommy Bahama in 2010 as SVP restaurants, will continue to oversee the restaurant operations in addition to his new duties. Goldberg will continue to be based at the company's Seattle headquarters. The appointment is effective immediately.

Chicago -- Accertify, a provider of software, tools and strategies for preventing fraud and a subsidiary of American Express, announced that Abercrombie & Fitch has implemented its Interceptas fraud prevention platform to enhance the retailer's ability to protect against credit card fraud in its direct-to-consumer business.

New York City -- Information on Tuesday confirmed that private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners LP is considering an offer to acquire BJ’s Wholesale Club.

Leonard Green, which already as a 9.3% ownership stake in the wholesale club operator, said in an SEC filing that it is examining confidential information provided by BJ's as it evaluates an offer.

BJ's revealed in February that it was considering selling itself.

NEW YORK -- VF Corp., whose stable of banners includes Vans and The North Face, announced an aggressive growth, including plans to open 400 U.S. stores across its various brands during the next five years. The company discussed these plans and more at an investor conference held recently in New York City.

In addition to the U.S. expansion, VF is looking to open some 225 stores in Europe and 80 in Asia. The expansion is expected to bring the company’s global store count to 1,500 units.

New York City -- British footwear and apparel retailer L.K. Bennett plans to open 30 to 40 stores in the United States during the next three to five years, Women’s Wear Daily reported.

The company will open its first U.S. stores this spring, with British footwear and apparel retailer L.K. Bennett plans to open 30 to 40 stores in the United States during the next three to five years, Women’s Wear Daily reported.locations in Chicago and Atlanta.