Sales & Marketing

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.

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.  

Brands and retailers are not doing a good job in keeping up with consumer expectations regarding mobile.  

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.   

Walmart is ready to sink its teeth into the world’s largest e-commerce market.   Three months after entering into a strategic alliance with JD.com, China’s second-largest e-commerce website, Walmart is introducing Chinese shoppers to a new digitally-driven shopping experience. For example, Chinese shoppers got their first taste of Sam’s Club when Walmart opened the doors of its first flagship store in China today.  

Ron Loveless, the first CEO of Sam's Club who grew the retailer for several years before retiring in 1986, has died.   According to the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Loveless died Monday at the age of 73 after "a long battle with cancer," according to a memo from Walmart CEO Doug McMillon and Sam's Club CEO Rosalind Brewer sent to Sam's Club employees.  

Serena & Lily continue to grow their fledgling store portfolio.   The upscale California-based brand, which started out as catalog company, will open its fifth retail location, at Lido Marina Village, Newport, California, on Saturday, Oct. 22.