Content about Culture

June 18, 2013

Hudson's Bay Company, owner of retailers Hudson's Bay, Home Outfitters and Lord & Taylor, has made changes to the company's executive structure.

TORONTO — Hudson's Bay Company, owner of retailers Hudson's Bay, Home Outfitters and Lord & Taylor, has made changes to the company's executive structure. 

Bonnie Brooks, president of Hudson's Bay Company, has been appointed the company’s vice chair. Liz Rodbell, EVP and chief merchant for Hudson's Bay Company, will become its president. Brooks and Rodbell will report to chairman and CEO Richard Baker. 

June 17, 2013

Saks Fifth Avenue plans to launch a new ad campaign encouraging new and existing customers to “discover” what the specialty retailer has to offer via catalogs, direct mail, press initiatives, in-store events, digital marketing, social media and visual displays.

NEW YORK — Saks Fifth Avenue plans to launch a new ad campaign encouraging new and existing customers to “discover” what the specialty retailer has to offer via catalogs, direct mail, press initiatives, in-store events, digital marketing, social media and visual displays.

Called “Look,” the ad campaign positions Saks Fifth Avenue as more than just a place for shoppers to buy things they want or need but as a showroom where potential shoppers can search for what is new. 

June 12, 2013

A same-store sales decline at Lord & Taylor was not enough to keep Hudson's Bay Company first quarter results for the period ended May 4 in the cold, thanks to strong same-store sales growth at Hudson's Bay.

TORONTO — A same-store sales decline at Lord & Taylor was not enough to keep Hudson's Bay Company's first quarter results for the period ended May 4 in the cold, thanks to strong same-store sales growth at Hudson's Bay.

The company's retail sales were $884 million for quarter, a 4% increase from $848 million for the first quarter a year ago. Consolidated same-store sales grew 4% in the first quarter. Hudson's Bay same-store sales grew nearly 8%, and were partially offset by a same-store sales decline of 1.4% at Lord & Taylor.

June 12, 2013

Sycamore Partners has acquired mall- and Web-based specialty retailer Hot Topic and its Hot Topic, Torrid and Blackheart concepts for approximately $600 million.

Sycamore Partners has acquired mall- and Web-based specialty retailer Hot Topic and its Hot Topic, Torrid and Blackheart concepts for approximately $600 million.

"Hot Topic and Torrid are both leaders in their categories, and we are excited to have both brands as part of our portfolio," said Stefan Kaluzny, managing director of Sycamore Partners. "Sycamore Partners is very pleased to have the opportunity to partner with Lisa Harper and her team to invest in the continued development of both the Hot Topic and Torrid retail brands."

June 11, 2013

In an effort to clean up its image following CEO Mike Jeffries' controversial comments regarding the type of people he would prefer to see donning his clothing, Abercrombie & Fitch is launching an anti-bullying campaign and college scholarship program.

NEW ALBANY, Ohio — In an effort to clean up its image following CEO Mike Jeffries' controversial comments regarding the type of people he would prefer to see donning his clothing, Abercrombie & Fitch is launching an anti-bullying campaign and college scholarship program.

June 6, 2013

Everlast Worldwide has rolled out a new professional fight glove. Called the PowerLock Fight Glove, it secures a fighter's hand in a natural fist position via a stable, compact chamber.

NEW YORK — Everlast Worldwide has rolled out a new professional fight glove. Called the PowerLock Fight Glove, it secures a fighter's hand in a natural fist position via a stable, compact chamber. 

Lightweight and ergonomic, the glove is joins the MX, 1910 and Protex3 in the company’s “elite” professional glove line. The company touts it as a “strong alternative” to boxers looking for a powerful glove.

June 5, 2013

CST Brands, the parent company of Corner Store and Dépanneur du Coin, have appointed Denise Incandela, EVP and CMO at Saks Fifth Avenue, to its board. She becomes the tenth member of a board chaired by CST president and CEO Kim Bowers.

SAN ANTONIO — CST Brands, the parent company of Corner Store and Dépanneur du Coin, has appointed Denise Incandela, EVP and CMO at Saks Fifth Avenue, to its board. She becomes the tenth member of a board chaired by CST president and CEO Kim Bowers. 

At Saks, Incandela oversees Saks Direct and Saks Fifth Avenue’s marketing programs, including advertising, sales promotions, loyalty, digital marketing, social media, customer analytics and market research.

June 4, 2013

Neiman Marcus reported net earnings of $71 million for the third quarter ended April 27, a 13% increase from $63 million in the prior year.

DALLAS — Neiman Marcus reported net earnings of $71 million for the third quarter ended April 27, a 13% increase from $63 million in the prior year. 

The company’s total revenues for the quarter were $1.1 billion, a 4% increase from $1.06 billion in the prior year. Comparable revenues increased 4%. 

June 3, 2013

Tiffany & Co. plans to open a two-level shop in Moscow’s GUM department store, the city’s leading luxury shopping destination, located in Red Square.

NEW YORK — Tiffany & Co. plans to open a two-level shop in Moscow’s GUM department store, the city’s leading luxury shopping destination, located in Red Square. The 4,520-sq.-ft. space is the jeweler’s first wholly owned retail business in Russia, and is expected to open in the first quarter 2014.

May 29, 2013

Tiffany & Co. has appointed former Cartier executive Anthony Ledru as the company’s SVP of Northern America.

NEW YORK — Tiffany & Co. has appointed former Cartier executive Anthony Ledru as the company’s SVP of Northern America.

“As a member of the senior management team, Anthony will drive sales results in our largest region, composed of the United States and Canada, while contributing a key voice to the articulation of the global brand,” said EVP Frederic Cumenal.

May 28, 2013

Tiffany & Co.’s 175th anniversary and its Great Gatsby movie tie-in collection drove the jeweler’s better-than-expected financial results for the first quarter ended April 30, which included Valentine’s Day.

NEW YORK — Tiffany & Co.’s 175th anniversary and its Great Gatsby movie tie-in collection drove the jeweler’s better-than-expected financial results for the first quarter ended April 30, which included Valentine’s Day. 

The jeweler had worldwide net sales of $895 million, an increase of 9% from $819,170 for the same period last year. On a constant exchange rate basis that excludes the effect of translating foreign currency denominated sales into U.S. dollars, worldwide net sales increased 13% and comparable store sales rose 8%.

May 28, 2013

Abercrombie & Fitch shrunk its net loss during the first quarter of 2013 but still reported thin financial results. Net loss for the quarter was $7.2 million, compared to $21.3 million during the first quarter of 2012. The results missed analysts’ estimates.

NEW ALBANY, Ohio — Abercrombie & Fitch shrunk its net loss during the first quarter of 2013 but still reported thin financial results. Net loss for the quarter was $7.2 million, compared to $21.3 million during the first quarter of 2012. The results missed analysts’ estimates.

Net sales dropped 9% from $921.2 million to $838.8 million. Same-store sales plummeted 17%. Direct-to-consumer sales fell 6%. U.S. same-store sales fell 14%; international comparable sales were down 16%.

May 26, 2013

Kroger's mid-south division president John Hackett is retiring, after 50 years of service with the company. Hackett began his career with Kroger in 1963 as a store clerk in London, Ohio, while working his way through college at The Ohio State University.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kroger's mid-south division president John Hackett is retiring, after 50 years of service with the company. Hackett began his career with Kroger in 1963 as a store clerk in London, Ohio, while working his way through college at The Ohio State University.

May 15, 2013

International lifestyle brand Club Monaco is leveraging the power of social media to promote its fashion apparel and accessories. It has launched an interactive fashion lookbook on Tumblr.

NEW YORK — International lifestyle brand Club Monaco is leveraging the power of social media to promote its fashion apparel and accessories. It has launched an interactive fashion lookbook on Tumblr. 

Club Monaco hopes to use the visually driven platform to expand its reach and entice consumers to see and share fashion looks months before they hit the stores. 

May 14, 2013

The Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza is not the only patriotic item on Macy’s all-American agenda. The retailer is launching its American Icons campaign, featuring American-inspired merchandise, Wednesday, May 15.

NEW YORK — The Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza is not the only patriotic item on Macy’s all-American agenda. The retailer is launching its American Icons campaign, featuring American-inspired merchandise, Wednesday, May 15.  

The campaign includes launch parties, “pop up” drive-in movies, cross-country road trips, Major and Minor League baseball events, grilling competitions, sweepstakes and a fundraising program to benefit America’s veterans. 

May 2, 2013

Luxury specialty retailer Barneys has partnered with the estate of Roy Lichtenstein and Art Production Fund to launch a limited-edition collection of home goods, available exclusively at stores this summer.

NEW YORK — Luxury specialty retailer Barneys has partnered with the estate of Roy Lichtenstein and Art Production Fund to launch a limited-edition collection of home goods, available exclusively at stores this summer.

May 2, 2013

Nike has promoted VP Michael Spillane to VP and GM of Nike’s Greater China geography effective June 1. Spillane replaces Craig Cheek who will move to a global role as VP and GM of Nike’s Young Athletes.

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Nike has promoted VP Michael Spillane to VP and GM of Nike’s Greater China geography effective June 1. 

Spillane was most recently the CEO and president of Umbro, which Nike divested of last year. Spillane replaces Craig Cheek who will move to a global role as VP and GM of Nike’s Young Athletes, where he will oversee strategy and drive growth supporting the company’s key categories around the world.

May 1, 2013

Guess has appointed former Victoria’s Secret executive Sharleen Ernster Lazear as chief design officer, overseeing all product categories for the Guess brands. She will report to CEO Paul Marciano.

LOS ANGELES — Guess has appointed former Victoria’s Secret executive Sharleen Ernster Lazear as chief design officer, overseeing all product categories for the Guess brands. She will report to CEO Paul Marciano. 

April 29, 2013

Former J. Crew executive Arnold P. Cohen has been named EVP and CMO at Cache, a specialty chain of women’s apparel stores.

NEW YORK — Former J. Crew executive Arnold P. Cohen has been named EVP and CMO at Cache, a specialty chain of women’s apparel stores.

 

April 26, 2013

Christopher Finazzo, 57, a former EVP and CMO at Aeropostale, was found guilty of 14 counts of mail fraud, one count of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy. He faces up to 20 years in prison on each of the fraud convictions and up to five years for the conspiracy charge.

NEW YORK — Christopher Finazzo, 57, a former EVP and CMO at Aeropostale, was found guilty of 14 counts of mail fraud, one count of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy. He faces up to 20 years in prison on each of the fraud convictions and up to five years for the conspiracy charge.
 
The jury took less than five hours to reach the verdict, which came after a three-week criminal trial in Brooklyn, N.Y. 
 

April 23, 2013

Retailer Saks Incorporated will be closing its Saks Fifth Avenue store located in the WestShore Plaza in Tampa, Fla., May 4.

NEW YORK — Retailer Saks Incorporated will be closing its Saks Fifth Avenue store located in the WestShore Plaza in Tampa, Fla., May 4.

“This planned closing is in line with our strategy of using our resources in our most productive Saks Fifth Avenue stores. We regularly assess the productivity, profitability and potential of each of our stores and may determine that a closing is appropriate from time to time,” said Steve Sadove, chairman and CEO of Saks.

April 17, 2013

According to research conducted by Unilever's Dove brand, the way women depict themselves is dramatically different from how others perceive them.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — According to research conducted by Unilever's Dove brand, the way women depict themselves is dramatically different from how others perceive them.

April 9, 2013

Online shoe retailer, OnlineShoes.com, announced that four in-vogue fashion bloggers will each design a pair of customized 993 Running Shoes by New Balance, and readers will vote on who did it best.

SEATTLE — Online shoe retailer, OnlineShoes.com, announced that four in-vogue fashion bloggers will each design a pair of customized 993 Running Shoes by New Balance, and readers will vote on who did it best.  At the end of voting, the winning design will go into production and be sold by OnlineShoes.com as limited-edition footwear. Voters can also enter for a chance to win a pair of custom New Balance running shoes. The contest runs from Tuesday, April 9 through Friday, April 19, 2013.

April 9, 2013

Women are taking fashion into their own hands, according to a new study from T.J.Maxx and Dr. Hazel Clark, research chair of fashion at Parsons The New School for Design.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Women are taking fashion into their own hands, according to a new study from T.J.Maxx and Dr. Hazel Clark, research chair of fashion at Parsons The New School for Design.

April 4, 2013

Abercrombie & Fitch in its annual report revealed that it plans to open Abercrombie & Fitch flagship stores in Seoul and Shanghai in 2013, as well as 20 international Hollister stores.

NEW YORK — Abercrombie & Fitch in its annual report revealed that it plans to open Abercrombie & Fitch flagship stores in Seoul and Shanghai in 2013, as well as 20 international Hollister stores. The news sent the teen retailer’s shares rising on Wednesday.

The company also said in the report that it is maintaining its focus on boosting profitability by simplifying processes, eliminating less-profitable parts of its business, shoring up efficiencies and cutting expenses.