Retail Stores
It appears that talks between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Apple have broken down, resulting in Apple deciding not to open a new 16,000 square-foot retail store in one of New Yorkโs most popular landmarks. Apple was in talks to secure retail space in New Yorkโs Grand Central Terminal, opening a new Apple Store that would have been its biggest in terms of retail space.
Home Depot is getting ready for its own version of Black Friday. For the second year in a row, the DIY heavyweight will roll out regional promotions that include doorbusters, as well as special pricing on lawn and garden, patio furniture, and grills.
In a more overt piece of altruistic product design, Nelson Mandela's 46664 organization, a nonprofit that's focused on humanitarian efforts since 2002, has announced the release of its own fashion line, also named 46664. The line will launch this summer with a dedicated store in Johannesburg and then followed by โother retail stores around the country.โ
Men's apparel retailer Casual Male reported lower-than-expected quarterly results, hurt by lower gross margins due to increased markdowns and weak traffic at their stores.
Canadian yoga-wear maker lululemon athletica said its fourth-quarter net income jumped 92 percent on strong demand for its high-end technical athletic clothing. Net income rose to $54.8 million, or 76 cents per share, from $28.5 million, or 40 cents per share, in the prior year period.
Dover Saddlery plans to relaunch its retail store expansion plan. The plan includes opening up to four stores this year and an additional six in 2012. The company hopes to have 40 new stores over the next several years.
Lucky Brand founders Gene Montesano and Barry Perlman have launched a new casualwear brand called Civilianaire with a stand-alone store in Los Angeles. Civilianaireโs limited array of initial merchandise clearly articulates the duoโs fad-free aesthetic. Itโs the stuff of faded album covers and coveted vintage finds.
The young woman in the Zappos.com video wears little makeup with her hair in a ponytail. She's cute, but she's no supermodel. What she is: A Zappos employee chosen for her pep and "real people" look to wear and talk about shoes for sale on the company's website.
DSW has announced net income of $18.5 million on net sales of $468.5 million for the fourth quarter ended Jan. 29, compared with net income of $13.4 million on net sales of $402.6 million for the quarter ended Jan. 30, 2010.