eCommerce

Starbucks isn’t the only company that has big plans for China.   New Look, the British apparel retailer, is looking to expand to 500 stores over the next three years in China, Fortune reported. It currently operates a total of 850 stores globally, with 95 locations in China.  

Several companies have reportedly expressed interest in acquiring the debt-laden American Apparel.   Brand licensors Authentic Brands Group and Iconix Brand Group are among the companies eying the chain, Reuters reported.   

Google has “popped up” in the SoHo section of downtown Manhattan with a temporary store that is all about experience.   The outpost, called "Made by Google,” is designed as a showcase for the company’s expanding line of electronic devices, and give visitors a chance to try out and experience its latest devices. The store does not sell any products, however. For that, customers will have to shop online or go to Best Buy.  

Walmart has made another big e-commerce investment in China.   On the heels of launching three major e-commerce initiatives in China, Walmart will invest $50 million in New Dada — China’s largest local on-demand logistics and grocery online-to-offline (O2O) e-commerce platform.  

The North Face is targeted urban adventurers at its new global flagship on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue.   The two-level, 20,000-sq.-ft. store offers an immersive brand experience that includes an interactive climbing wall, community seating and a custom embroidery service called “Lot, Stock and Barrel” that allows shoppers to personalize garments by selecting from 20 designs.   

A German brand known for its high-quality headphones had dropped anchor in the United States.      Sennheiser has opened a pop-up, in the SoHo section of downtown Manhattan, that is designed to let visitors try out its products firsthand.      The brand is also set to open a permanent retail space, at the Westfield World Trade Center in Manhattan, in late October. It will serve as a showroom and not sell product (product is sold at the pop-up, however).  

Skechers’ third quarter results came in below estimates as the company said it would continue to focus internationally for growth.   The Manhattan Beach, Calif.-based brand’s net income fell 2.2% to $65.1 million, or 42 cents per diluted share, which was below forecasts for diluted EPS of 47 cents. Skechers said its diluted EPS were negatively impacted by foreign currency translation and exchange losses.  

Nordstrom has opened its second full-line store In Toronto. The department store retailer opened a three-level, 199,000-sq.-ft. store at Yorkdale Shopping Centre on Oct. 21. It is the company's second location in Toronto, with the first, at CF Toronto Eaton Centre, opening in September.