Sales & Marketing

Chicago -- Chicago high-end fashion retailer Mark Shale said Tuesday it has filed for reorganization bankruptcy.

The 83-year-old company is seeking strategic alternatives, including a partner to fortify the business, according to president Rich Myers.

The three existing stores – all in Chicago – will continue to operate during the reorganization process.

As a prelude to the upcoming World Retail Congress in London (September 19- 21), five retail leaders who will be speaking at the event participated in the following Q&A:

What would you say is the biggest issue facing retailers today?
 

New York -- Casual Male is shifting its focus to its Destination XL (DXL) format. By the end of 2015, the company expects to have closed all 400 Casual Male stores and have 225 to 250 DXL units, according to Women’s Wear Daily.

The DXL stores feature a wide array of merchandise, including both private label and name brands, and price points that range from the lower-end to the more upscale. By the end of 2012, the company expects to have 51 DXL stores in operation, the report said.

NEW YORK — Nine West has launched a new YouTube network called Channel 9 that will feature premium programming and user-generated content.

The Philadelphia chocolate-and-peanut bar that started as a World War I ration is back — even though it didn't really go anywhere. Candy company Just Born announced that it has overhauled its Peanut Chews' brand image to better reflect its roots.

Dallas -- Tuesday Morning Corp. said Monday that it lost $2 million in the quarter ended June 30, widened from a loss of $1.4 million in the same period last year. The retailer cited costs associated with terminating its CEO for the weakened showing.

Sales were nearly flat at $196.4 million, and same-store sales inched up a slight 0.2%. For the full year, the company recorded net income of $3.9 million, compared with $9.6 million in the prior year. Sales slipped 1% to $812.8 million.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us is taking aggressive steps toward becoming a bigger player in the highly competitive baby products market, by expanding its offerings under the Babies"R"Us brand.

The company has introduced a new infant feeding line and an expanded assortment of bedding and room decor, food, formula, snacks and other essentials and now offers customers more than 1,600 products.

Columbus, Ohio -- DSW Inc. reported Tuesday that adjusted net income for the quarter ended July 28 dipped to $30.1 million, from $33.7 million last year. Revenue rose 7.5% to $512.2 million, beating the $510.9 million expected by Wall Street.

Same-store sales increased 4.2% in the quarter, compared with a 12.3% increase in the same period last year.

CEO Mike MacDonald told analysts that performance thus far is on track with annual earnings targets and that DSW is on track to open another 27 new stores over the next six months.