Direct To Consumer (DTC)

Woodland Hills, Calif. -- GA Keen Realty Advisors, a division of Great American Group, has been retained to assist in the marketing and disposition of 70 leased properties across 21 states operated by Metropark, which filed for bankruptcy earlier this month. Metropark’s retail properties, which range in size from 2,000 sq. ft. to 3,500 sq. ft., are concentrated in the West (California, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and Texas) and in the East (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Florida).

PHILADELPHIA — Urban Outfitters announced net income of $39 million, or earnings per diluted share of 23 cents for the first quarter ended April 30, compared with net income of $53 million, or earnings per diluted share of 31 cents.

Total company net sales rose by 9% over the same quarter last year to $524 million. Comparable retail segment net sales, which includes direct-to-consumer channels, decreased 1% for the quarter while comparable store net sales decreased 5% for the quarter. 

New York City -- Retail real estate columnist Jeff Green has unveiled his newest opine on Chain Store Age’s real estate community website, discussing the impact – both positive and negative – that reducing a store footprint could have on a store’s brand.

San Francisco -- Gap plans to open stores in Serbia and Ukraine later this year as its continues to expand its international operations.

The chain said Friday that it signed new deals with existing franchise partners that will put Gap stores in Belgrade and Kiev.

According to Stephen Sunnucks, the company's international president, the Ukraine is the fastest-growing retail market in Eastern Europe, while Serbia has many young customers who enjoy shopping.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores is buying a minority stake in online company Yihaodian, which sells groceries, consumer electronics, clothing and other items. Terms of the deal and the size of the stake were not disclosed.

The deal will help expand the Wal-Mart’s reach into China, where it has 328 stores (as of Dec. 31, 2010).

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap Inc. has announced plans to bring the Gap brand to Serbia and Ukraine through new agreements with existing franchise partners. The stores are scheduled to open in 2011 in the cities of Belgrade and Kiev where customers will be able to shop products from Gap, GapKids and babyGap.

Frisco, Texas -- New York City-based Centro Properties Group said that The Foundry Big & Tall Supply Co. has opened at Preston Ridge, located in Frisco, Texas.

The 5,000-sq.-ft. store is part of the new Growth Brands Division at J.C. Penney Co.

Preston Ridge is owned by Centro.
 

New York City -- All Saints, the U.K. fashion retailer known for its dark interiors and edgy threads, has been bought by British investment firm Lion Capital and U.S. private equity firm Goode Partners, Britain’s The Telegraph reported. The purchase is likely to speed the chain’s expansion in the United States.