Direct To Consumer (DTC)

ST. LOUIS — Build-A-Bear Workshop’s board of directors has appointed Sharon Price John as CEO and chief president bear. She replaces Maxine Clark, who announced earlier this year her plans to retire from her chief executive bear position. 

Clark will remain a member of the board. 

NEW YORK — Tiffany & Co. plans to open a two-level shop in Moscow’s GUM department store, the city’s leading luxury shopping destination, located in Red Square. The 4,520-sq.-ft. space is the jeweler’s first wholly owned retail business in Russia, and is expected to open in the first quarter 2014.

WESTBOROUGH, Mass. — Footwear and accessories manufacturer Steve Madden is looking to Micros Systems, a provider of IT solutions for the retail and hospitality industries, to help it reinvigorate its e-commerce presence and improve its order management, customer relationship management and cloud point-of-service solutions.

Steve Madden will leverage Micros’ omnichannel product suite to increase traffic and conversion in both its online and mobile channels. 

LONDON — Boticca.com, a London-based global jewelry and accessories boutique, has partnered with U.S. start-up Olapic to encourage its customers to be fashion models — modeling the boutique's merchandise — via the popular app Instagram.

The boutique will showcase users' Instagram photos and regular photography in its online gallery.

GLEN ARM, Md. — Plus-size retailer Ulla Popken is looking to engage existing customers while enticing new ones to check out its e-commerce site via an online campaign that celebrates women of all sizes.

The series of just-released videos encourages potential shoppers to dress in a manner that reflects their personalities.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Express overcame the spring chill and a difficult retail environment, reporting net sales of $508 million for the first quarter ended May 4, a 3% increase from $496 million in the first quarter of 2012.

Comparable sales were flat following a 4% comparable sales increase in last year's first quarter. This includes e-commerce sales, which increased 48% to $71 million. In last year's first quarter, e-commerce sales grew 28% to $48 million.

New York -- Delia’s reported Thursday that its loss more than doubled year-over-year, as the multichannel retailer lost $9.2 million in the quarter ended May 4, compared with a loss of $4.3 million last year.

Revenue slid 15% to $35 million, and same-store sales fell 7.1%. Amid the disappointing results, the company has appointed Tracy Gardner as CEO, effective June 5, moving over from his current position as COO.

TORONTO — Loft will open four new store locations in Ontario, Canada, following the retailer's initial foray into the Great White North late last year at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto.

The retailer also introduced e-commerce into its new Canadian market in March.