Cairo

Perhaps fashion designer Kenneth Cole should stay off Twitter during sensitive political moments — or at least his social media manager should. After provoking harsh criticism for a February 2011 tweet, in which the designer used the protests in Cairo to promote his spring collection, Cole was at it again last Thursday. This time, the brand used the fact that the Senate voted down a mild gun control measure on background checks — one supported by 90 percent of Americans, according to polls — to make a joke about footwear.

American Eagle Outfitters recently opened stores in three new international markets — Morocco, Jordan and Egypt. The retailer opened its store in Jordan at the Taj Mall on Nov. 30; the Morocco store opened in Casablanca at Morocco Mall on Dec. 1; and the Egypt store opened in Cairo’s City Stars Mall on Dec. 10.