News

DSW buying Ebuys Inc. in $62.5 million deal
DSW is expanding its e-commerce capabilities with a deal to acquire Ebuys Inc., an online off-price footwear retailer with a presence in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.

DSW announced that the purchase price includes an upfront payment of $62.5 million as well as future payments contingent on the performance of Ebuys, Inc. The deal is expected to close within the next 30 days.
Jos. A Banks turns in troubling Q4 performance for Tailored Brands
Tailored Brands, formerly Men’s Wearhouse, vowed more changes after its Jos. A Bank division logged a 31.9% decline in same store sales.

Build-A-Bear focused on diversification

Build a Bear overcame a negative same store sales performance to produce better than expected profits in the fourth quarter.
No grout about it, the Tile Shop is surging

The Tile Shop paved the way for continued growth in the fourth quarter, with an increase in same store sales and profits.

For the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, the specialty retailer reported a 9.8% same store sales increase, a 70.4% gross margin increase, and diluted earnings per share of 7 cents. Net sales grew 13.5% to $71.9 million for the fourth quarter compared with $63.3 million for the prior year quarter.
Comps fall for Bebe Stores in Q2

Traffic and conversion troubles led to a same store sales decrease for fashion retailer Bebe in the second quarter.

For the period ended Jan. 2, net sales decreased 5% to $122.4 million, as compared to $128.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2015. The net sales decrease was primarily driven by a comp decrease and store closures. Same store sales decreased 2.5% compared to an increase of 8% in the same period of the prior year. Traffic and conversion declined while average unit retail was flat.
H&M goes omnichannel with Coachella collection

Just in time for Coachella, H&M is teaming up once again with the world-famous California festival by creating a co-branded coed collection.

The H&M Loves Coachella collection will launch in the U.S. in stores on March 24 with a sneak peek online on March 23. The Coachella festival is held yearly in Southern California in April.
Veteran CPG executive joins BJ’s board

The former head of global health and well-being at Procter & Gamble is the newest member of the board of directors at BJ’s Wholesale Club.
Schimenti constructs Kohl’s showroom

Schimenti Construction has created a new space for Kohl’s Corp. to show off its latest collections.

The 4,000-sq.-ft. showroom, at 1400 Broadway in the garment district of Manhattan, acts as a striking backdrop to the retailer’s latest fashions, with large windows, bright spotlights and a gleaming white epoxy floor. The new space is in the same building that houses Kohl’s design offices. The retailer now occupies 100,000 sq. ft. on four floors.
Former CEO of Children’s Place back with new concept

Ezra Dabah is launching a curated box service for girls ages 3 to 12. Called Kidpik, the new concept will charge customers only for the items they decide to keep after the alloted trial period, Crain’s New York reported. [Crain’s New York]
What channel are digital buyers flocking to?

Consumer trend data shows that more than half of digital shoppers will use one specific channel for making purchases at least once within a year.

According to a new report from eMarketer, 95.1 million Americans ages 14 and older, or 51% of digital buyers, will make at least one purchase via a smartphone during 2017. This figure will rise to 55% by 2020.
Bebe reports Q2 loss as comps fall

Traffic and conversion troubles led to a disappointing performance by fashion retailer Bebe Stores in the second quarter. For the period ended Jan. 2, the company reported a loss of $5.5 million.
Foursquare will pick up the groceries

Local discovery app Foursquare is the latest entity to join the increasingly crowded on-demand delivery market.

Foursquare is partnering with Delivery.com to enable users to order groceries, food and alcohol directly through the Foursquare mobile app. The integration, facilitated by the mobile commerce platform Button, leverages Button's DeepLink Commerce technology to enable cross-functionality between the Delivery.com and Foursquare apps.