Direct To Consumer (DTC)

New York -- Winick Realty Group said that women’s formal wear brand Social Apparel, with locations in four New York malls, has leased its first freestanding location at 255 West 34th Street, located between Seventh and Eighth Avenues in Manhattan’s Garment District.

The store includes 1,760 sq. ft. on the ground floor, 1,276 sq. ft. on the mezzanine and 1,540 sq. ft. in the basement.
 

Paris -- French luxury group PPR’s Tuesday announcement that it has acquired 51% of British fashion brand Christopher Kane means that the luxury designer will soon have branded boutiques. The first is slated to open in London as early as 2014.

According to a report by Reuters, the deal is part of PPR's strategy to add to its luxury portfolio with small brands that have growth potential.

"We think it can become a sizeable business," Alexis Babeau, managing director of PPR's luxury division, told Reuters on Tuesday.

MINNEAPOLIS — Winmark Corporation, franchisor of four value-retail store concepts, is developing a new concept focused on reselling women's apparel and accessories.

Winmark Corporation operates 968 franchises under the Plato's Closet, Play It Again Sports, Once Upon A Child and Music Go Round brands, all of which buy, sell, trade and consign gently used merchandise. The franchisor intends to market the new retail concept to savvy and frugal shoppers.

PHILADELPHIA — Urban Outfitters Inc. said its same-stores sales for the holiday season rose 9%, including its direct-to-consumer business. Excluding that unit, same-store sales fell 1%.

Total company net sales for November and December increased 15% to $666 million.

Among Urban Outfitters’ brands, comparable sales increased 33% at Free People, 10% at Urban Outfitters and 5% at Anthropologie. Direct-to-consumer net sales increased by 38% for the period and wholesale segment net sales increased 21%.

Levi’s latest New York City location, in SoHo, has a rustic feel, enhanced by the use of wood and other materials. Designed by MBH Architects, the 12,683-sq. ft. store features tent-like dressing rooms and lighting fixtures made of rope. The "fit bar" is a table made of natural wood logs.

Newington, Conn. -- Cohen Real Estate said Thursday that it has brokered the sale of Newington Fair Shopping Center for $17.5 million to Inland Diversified Real Estate.

The property is a 100 % occupied, 187,000-sq.-ft. power center located in the community of Newington, and is anchored by a 135,000-sq.-ft. Sam’s Wholesale Club and a 52,000-sq.-ft. L.A. Fitness.

The seller is a Houston-based developer, owner and manager of single and multi-tenant retail properties.

Philadelphia -- Destination Maternity Corp. said it is opening its first Destination Maternity store in Canada on Thursday in Calgary, Alberta, at the Kingsland Village retail development.

The store will debut its A Pea in the Pod brand in Canada.

Philadelphia -- Urban Outfitters Inc.  said Thursday its same-stores sales for the holiday season rose 9%, including its direct-to-consumer business. Excluding that unit, same-store sales fell 1%.

Total company net sales for November and December increased 15% to $666 million.

Among Urban Outfitters’ brands, comparable sales increased 33% at Free People, 10% at Urban Outfitters and 5% at Anthropologie. Direct-to-consumer net sales increased by 38% for the period and wholesale segment net sales increased 21%.