Direct To Consumer (DTC)

New York City -- Walmart plans to launch a dedicated page on Walmart.com that will feature an assortment of products created by women in nearly two dozen countries, including women who work in cooperatives and own small businesses. Scheduled to be available in spring 2012, products will include jewelry from Guatemala, Thailand and Ethiopia; coffee from Central and South America; and dresses from Kenya.

Fort Myers, Fla. -- Chico's FAS said Tuesday it has completed its previously announced acquisition of direct-to-consumer women’s apparel retailer Boston Proper.

"We appreciate the hard work that the Chico's FAS and Boston Proper teams put forth to complete this transaction in near record time,” said David F. Dyer, president and CEO of Chico’s FAS. “I see it as indicative as to how well Boston Proper fits with the Chico's FAS family of brands."

San Jose, Calif. -- Online auctioneer eBay said Monday it has launched a virtual outlet mall in the United States it is calling Fashion Outlet.

The virtual mall will allow users to access discounted apparel and accessories across brands and retailer banners. Featured brands and banners include BCBG, Neiman Marcus, Brooks Brothers, Last Call and Timberland.

According to eBay’s head of global fashion Miriam Lahage, the company is leveraging the burgeoning popularity of the outlet category as the fastest-growing retail channel.

New York City -- Starbucks Coffee Co. plans to expand in Latin America after concentrating in recent past years more on Asia, founder and CEO Howard Schultz said at a presentation in Madrid, Bloomberg reported.

The chain as about $2 billion in cash to invest in an “aggressive and opportunistic way,” Schultz said, and is especially interested in Brazil, according to the report.

HONG KONG — On the heels of a 98% drop in its yearly earnings, Esprit Holdings said it is divesting its North American businesses and exiting three major European markets.

The company said it is actively looking for a partner willing to acquire its North American operations, which include 93 stores in the United States.

New York City -- Planet Fitness said Wednesday that it will open a Manhattan flagship location in Chelsea, at 158 West 27th Street, and is slated to open in early 2012.

The 20,000-sq.-ft. center will be housed at Himmel + Meringoff Properties’ 12-story, 117,000-sq.-ft. office building which has recently undergone a multi-million-dollar renovation.

Planet Fitness currently operates its only New York City fitness center in Harlem on 125th Street.

 

San Francisco -- Williams-Sonoma and Barclaycard announced Thursday a new co-branded Visa credit card and loyalty program, allowing cardholders to earn points redeemable for culinary-themed awards and enjoy a wide range of perks.

 

New York City -- Tiffany & Co. said Thursday it plans to open a store in New York’s SoHo neighborhood in September 2012.

The 7,000-sq.-ft. store will occupy a space that combines two locations -- 97 Greene Street and 106 Wooster Street. 

The 2012 opening corresponds to Tiffany’s 175th anniversary of its founding on Lower Broadway in the 1850s.