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Under Armour Woos Women With Social Goal-Setting
April 24, 2012

In its ongoing attempt to win over women at every step of their fitness journey, Under Armour is introducing a goal-setting Web site called “What’s Beautiful.” Involving Twitter and Facebook, the site is “a competition to redefine the female athlete,” with an end result of three new “faces” for Under Armour, as well as seven brand ambassadors. 

Family Dollar to Add Private Labels, National Brands
April 23, 2012

Family Dollar Stores Inc. plans to add more than 1,000 products to its shelves in coming months, including national brands like PepsiCo beverages and Gerber baby foods. The Matthews-based discount retailer will also add to its private-label selections.

Wolverine Worldwide Announces Joint Venture in India
April 23, 2012

Wolverine Worldwide announced the formation of a joint venture with Tata International to market footwear and apparel in India. The new joint venture will initially be responsible for the wholesale distribution of Wolverine Worldwide's Merrell and Caterpillar footwear brands. The formation of this joint venture is a direct result of the efforts of Wolverine Worldwide's International Group, which was formed in January 2011. Entering into a joint venture provides Wolverine Worldwide with a more meaningful ownership stake and near-term brand impact than its traditional licensee or distributor business model, and reflects the importance of this fast-growing market to the company.

Tumi, the Latest Retail Darling, Surges in IPO
April 23, 2012

Proving investors still have a healthy appetite for a branded retail stock with potential for growth, luxury luggage and travel goods maker Tumi Holdings Inc. shares jumped almost 50 percent in its initial public offering last week.

Under Armour Reports Data Breach
April 23, 2012

Under Armour notified employees last week about a data breach that may have exposed their names, Social Security numbers and salary information. Baltimore-based Under Armour told employees in an email message that an unencrypted thumb drive containing employee payroll information was lost in the U.S. mail on or about April 12 by its auditing firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers. The thumb drive was sent by mail in connection with a recent audit, the memo said. 

5 High-Tech Fashion Retail Trends to Watch
April 23, 2012

One of the biggest trends in fashion these days has nothing to do with floral prints, pastels, lace, neon or outrageous nail art. While those loom large on many a shopper's spring and summer wish lists, it's technology that's sweeping across the industry faster than peplum tops and orange lipstick. Everywhere you turn, there's a new app, social shopping site or chance to share your favorite items with, well, anyone willing to pay attention to your tweets, pins, posts or status updates. Check out five high-tech fashion retail trends to watch. 

Wal-Mart Snagged in Mexican Bribery Scandal
April 23, 2012

On Saturday, The New York Times published an investigative article that reported executives of Wal-Mart de Mexico, the largest foreign subsidiary of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., may have engaged in “widespread bribery” to accelerate the company’s expansion in Mexico. After the article was published, Wal-Mart officials acknowledged the Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer is investigating possible violations of U.S. law that ban bribery in foreign countries. The Wall Street Journal reported Wal-Mart first disclosed the internal probe in a December filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 

Anti-Defamation League Slams Urban Outfitters Over ‘Holocaust’ T-Shirt
April 23, 2012

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has accused Urban Outfitters of selling a T-shirt that resembles the yellow Star of David worn by Jews during the Holocaust. "We find this use of symbolism to be extremely distasteful and offensive, and we are outraged that your company would make this product available to your customers," ADL Philadelphia director Barry Morrison wrote in a letter to the Philadelphia-based clothing retailer's CEO, Richard A. Hayne, according to a report by Gawker on Friday.

Burgeoning Teen Retail Chain Shutting its Doors After Tragic Accident
April 23, 2012

German entrepreneur Rainer Schulz was an old hand at setting up fast-fashion stores across Europe under such nameplates as Forever 18 and Colloseum. Three years ago, the veteran retailer ventured across the ocean to expand his clothing store empire to Southern California. In October 2010, Schulz opened his first My Fashion Club store in Canoga Park, Calif. Three more California stores — in Glendale, Northridge and Bakersfield — followed. But all four stores are closing after Schulz, 52, died when the Cessna 750 Citation X corporate jet he was piloting crashed on March 1 in Egelsbach, Germany. 

ANN Inc. Launches Reusable Goods Charity Service
April 23, 2012

ANN Inc., the parent company of Ann Taylor and Loft, has launched AnnCares360, a program in partnership with Good360, the nonprofit leader in product philanthropy. The program will facilitate the donation of available displays, marketing items and fixtures to local charities that support women and children. Through the program, all ANN Inc. stores can enter valued, reusable goods into a tracking system that will link to Good360's online product donation marketplace and its network of more than 26,000 charities.