News

Walmart will be making big changes to a lot of stores this year, according to a report from MLive.com. Among the roughly 400-640 stores that will get a remodel this year are 12 Michigan locations, the report said.

MLive notes that among the changes coming to stores undergoing a remodel will be a lounge-like area for in-store pickup, the locations of which will move to the front of the store, more fresh and organic offerings, wider aisles and changed sightlines. Three markets in Michigan also will see the piloting of online grocery ordering for in-store pickup, the report said.

Foot Locker posted weaker-than-expected earnings and sales for its first quarter after high promotional activity and getting off to a slow start in February.        Net income for the company's first quarter ended April 29, 2017 was $180 million, or $1.36 per share, compared with net income of $191 million, or $1.39 per share in the year-ago period.  

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Harrys of London has a new owner with an interesting portfolio who wants to expand the brand.   The luxury footwear and accessories brand has been acquired by Charles S. Cohen, a New York real estate developer and media entrepreneur. Cohen, who acquired 100% interest in Harrys from Palladin Consumer Retail Partners, will assume the position of chairman. Palladin acquired a majority stake in Harrys in 2014.  

Forever 21 has entered into a partnership with mall owner GGP Inc. to debut a new, freestanding brick-and-mortar retail format.    The Los Angeles-based fast-fashion giant will launch Riley Rose, a beauty boutique, at 13 GGP regional shopping centers, with 10 locations opening in 2017. According to a report by newbeauty.com, the new concept will be experiential, millennial-focused and Instagram-friendly.    

Lululemon has named a new chief technology officer.   According to a report in GeekWire, Julie Averill is joining the retailer as its new executive VP and chief technology officer. Currently, Averill is the CIO at REI.  

David’s Bridal has entered a brand new market.    David's Bridal has partnered with Diltex, a leading manufacturer and retailer of intimate apparel in Mexico, to open its first franchise location in Mexico City. The store opens on Saturday, May 20, 2017.   

A department store chain is pursuing a new business opportunity.   J.C. Penney now offers business-to-business solutions for operators and facility managers in the hotel and lodging industry, as well as the multi-unit residential industry. And the chain has a few categories that fit the bill.   

There’s more to drone-based deliveries than just dropping parcels — at least it is for Amazon.   The online giant is developing an air-traffic control system to manage its fleet of drones as they fly from warehouses to customers’ doors — a move that will ensure the devices don’t collide with “non-collaborative flying objects” during delivery, Bloomberg reported. These include buildings, trees, other drones and — the most unpredictable — birds.   

Destination XL Group Inc. posted disappointed earnings and sales in its first quarter, but sounded a confident note that it was back on track.   In its quarterly earnings release, the big-and-tall apparel retailer also refuted a recent report, which it said had been repeated by various media outlets, that called into question the company’s ability to repay its debt.