News

Target’s EVP of stores, Tina Schiel, and senior group manager of store planning, Nancy Devine, dug through the retailer’s photo archive and weighed in on the company’s evolving design philosophy.

Laysha Ward was among top business executives and celebrities who participated in the Network of Executive Women’s Executive Leaders Forum July 23-25 near Los Angeles. Ward, along with HSN CEO Mindy Grossman and actress turned activist Gina Davis, share insights about the state of women in business today and their personal experiences.

NEW YORK — Lower sales, weaker margins and higher costs at the Jones Group translated into a $3.4 million loss for the second quarter ended July 6, compared to a profit of $8.1 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue decreased 1.1% to $845.6 million from $855 million for the second quarter of 2012. Analysts estimated revenues of $832.06 million for the quarter. One bright spot for Jones Group was an almost 21% year-over-year increase in wholesale jeanswear sales.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation has issued a statement from SVP and general counsel Mallory Duncan on U.S. District Judge Richard Leon’s decision regarding swipe fee reforms. The judge found that the Federal Reserve misapplied Congress’ intent when it implemented the required reforms. 

HUDSON, Ohio — Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores America is holding a Teacher Appreciation Days savings event August 10 and 11, at the height of the back-to-school season.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway and the Safeway Foundation are holding an annual fundraising campaign together with the Muscular Dystrophy Association to support individuals and families affected by muscle disease. 

VERNON, Calif. — True Religion Apparel has appointed David Conn as CEO. He will be joined by a new leadership team that, together with the company’s new owner, TowerBrook Capital Partners L.P., will be charged with guiding the company into its next phase of growth.

Conn joins from VF Corporation and has leadership experience in brand management and marketing in the apparel and footwear industries. Prior to his time as president of VF Retail Licensed Brands, Conn served as EVP of the Iconix Brand Group.

Coldwater Creek, a leading multichannel retailer of women’s apparel, jewelry and accessories, is leveraging Alliance Data Systems Corporation’s Retail Services business to expand its co-branded credit card program and launch a Coldwater Creek private-label credit card program. 

AUSTIN, Texas — Whole Foods Market sees demand for 1,000 new stores in the U.S. and thinks Canada and the U.K. hold great promise as well, based on its sales increase of 12% to $3.1 billion for the third quarter ended July 7, from $2.7 billion for the same year-ago period.

Seeking to boost back-to-school sales, 24 GGP malls will host Teen Vogue’s Back-to-School Saturday™ on Aug. 10.

For the second year in a row, Teen Vogue magazine has declared a national shopping holiday for Back-To-School.

This year, 100 malls and numerous national retailers — H&M, Topshop and American Eagle, for instance —have decided to see what the marketing concept can do for them.

Retailers will offer back-to-school deals and discounts, and the malls will host events.