News

Lane Bryant hosted its first-ever designer runway show this week, featuring the retailer's collaboration with Isabel and Ruben Toledo. The show took place at the Seagram Building, in New York.

The fashion show featured portions of the spring and fall collection. Models walked the runway in sheath dresses and coats adorned in Isabel's signature patterns, tunics and cocktail dresses. Designs were presented in black, white, gold and soft grey. Pieces were color blocked and complemented with hints of patterns.

Arcadia, Wis. – When vertical furniture retailer Ashley Furniture found its homegrown retail management system no longer supported its rapid global growth, the company decided to investigate both regional and Tier 1 enterprise retail management systems. Determining it needed a multi-language, multi-currency solution that could support the unique financial requirements of each country where it did business, Ashley Furniture selected Microsoft Dynamics.

Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Appeals Court for the District of Columbia of Friday overturned a lower court's decision in July that favored the merchants and was a setback for banks. The National Retail Federation expressed disappointment with the decision, which will keep the Federal Reserve’s cap on debit card swipe fees at 21 cents rather than reducing it to a lower level.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group is launching a new business, Simon Venture Group, that will invest in retail innovation, focusing on technology opportunities that enhance the shopping experience.

"We believe we have only scratched the surface on applying technology to the retail environment in innovative, interesting ways," said Mikael Thygesen, chief marketing officer of Simon Property Group.

Ottawa, Canada – E-commerce solution provider Canada Post and and e-commerce integrator Thinkwrap Commerce have launched new collaboration designed to simplify and accelerate incorporation of Canada Post's shipping data into Oracle Commerce. By making it easier for retailers to incorporate Canada Post's data with Oracle Commerce, the collaboration between Thinkwrap and Canada Post is designed to help retailers strengthen their e-commerce customer experience by providing shoppers with choice and convenience.

RH (formerly called Restoration Hardware) continues its transformation from a hardware retailer to a lifestyle brand at its stunning Gallery store in Boston. The 37,670-sq.-ft. space, which took top honors in the 2014. A.R.E. Design Awards competition, is located in a landmark building in the heart of the city’s Back Bay.

Alpharetta, Ga. - Almost half (45%) of brands see measuring ROI as a challenge in using Twitter as a marketing tool, followed by building an audience (42%) and engagement (37%). In addition, a new survey of brand marketers from Social Media Marketing University (SMMU) shows that 40% of brands agree that Twitter is an effective marketing tool and 25% strongly agree, but 31% are undecided, 1% agree and 3% strongly agree.

San Francisco – Private equity firm Golden Gate Capital Corp. disclosed in a regulatory filing that it has purchased a 9.5% ownership stake in Ann Inc., parent of Ann Taylor.  

In a letter to the Ann Inc. board of directors, Golden Gate said it looks forward to working collaboratively with Ann Inc. The company said that it did not plan to seek changes to the retailer’s board or executive team, or to push for a sale

Foothill Ranch, Calif. – The Wet Seal Inc. shrank its net loss to $27.5 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 from $85.8 million in the same quarter a year earlier. Net sales slipped 23% to $124.8 million from $161.6 million and same-store sales dropped 16%.

New York – New York & Company grew its net income during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 11% to $6.9 million, from $6.2 million. Net sales fell 7% to $271 million from $291.8 million and same-store sales climbed 1.2%.

New York & Company attributed its improved net income to expense controls and increased merchandise margin. The company also cited the 53rd week in fiscal 2012 as affecting its negative net sales growth.