Direct To Consumer (DTC)

New York -- Douglas Elliman Real Estate's Retail Group said it has arranged for luxury sportswear brand Le Civette to anchor its first U.S. store at 1242 Madison Avenue, between 89th and 90th Streets.  

The Italian-based retailer will locate its new store in the last available space along the block-front; neighbors include Jacadi, Mariana Antinori and Caramel Baby.

New Delhi -- According to a Thursday report by Reuters, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is examining the conditions around India’s decision to allow supermarkets to open stores in the country.

New Delhi -- An Indian official said Thursday that India’s Cabinet will investigate allegations that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. broke rules as it lobbied to make its retail market debut in the country.

According to Manish Tewari, information and broadcasting minister for India, the cabinet has authorized a retired judge to look into Wal-Mart’s lobbying disclosures and investigate whether any of the retailer’s activities broke Indian law.
     

New York -- Hammacher Schlemmer iconic midtown Manhattan store will undergo an extensive floor-to-ceiling renovation. It will reopen May 16.

The renovation of Hammacher Schlemmer's landmark store will include new lighting, more modern display cases, and a new floor consisting of solid stone and hardwoods. The new store layout will provide more square footage for customers to peruse the latest gadgets and problem-solving products.

Delhi, India -- A Monday report by Bloomberg said that Ikea has received the go-ahead from the Indian government to open outlets in the country, making it perhaps the first major foreign retailer to set up its own stores in the region.

The Swedish furniture retailer was cleared by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board, according to a statement by Commerce Minister Anand Sharma. The approval is a turnaround for the Indian government which last year barred Ikea from operating cafes and limited retail wares it could sell in stores.

Miami Beach, Fla. -- Terranova Corp. said Friday that Epicure Gourmet Market & Cafe will open a 24,000-sq.-ft., ground-floor location at Gables Ponce, a mixed-use project located in Coral Gables, Fla.
 
Epicure, based in Miami Beach, will anchor the ground-floor retail of the 248-unit residential project being built by Gables Urban.
 

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — JustFab, a leading fashion-subscription e-commerce site and lifestyle fashion brand, has acquired children's fashion brand and personalized e-commerce service, FabKids.

JustFab is headed by president and creative director Kimora Lee Simmons. FabKids was launched by ShopStyle founder and serial entrepreneur, Andy Moss, and mom and actress Christina Applegate, in August 2012.

By Jonathan Lapat and Jason Baker, [email protected], [email protected]