Golf Retailers Gearing Up for Busiest Holiday of the Year — Father's Day
June 8, 2011

For most retailers the December holidays are the busiest time of the year. For golf equipment retailers, the weeks leading up to Father's Day is when cash registers ring the most. In fact, Golfsmith traditionally experiences the same high sales volumes in June that mainstream retailers experience during the year-end sales rush. For Golfsmith, it is Christmas time in June.

Magical World of Disney Comes to Canada
June 8, 2011

Disney Store added magic to Canada last month by opening two innovative shopping experiences in Mississauga, Ontario and Burnaby, British Columbia. The Canadian locations feature interactive areas incorporating state-of-the-art technology.

TOMS Shoes Expands Into Eyewear for Charity
June 8, 2011

TOMS Shoes announced a new product category — sunglasses. But the glasses won't be distributed in the same way that TOMS distributes its footwear. Instead, the company will work with the Seva Foundation on sight restoration initiatives in Nepal, Tibet and Cambodia.

Old Navy Gets a Makeover
June 7, 2011

No more fiberboard. No more steel shelves or warehouse design. The Old Navy chain of budget-yet-spunky clothing stores is abandoning its old surplus feel and going with a new look.

 

Bluefly Apologizes for Ripping Off Warby Parker's Product Image
June 6, 2011

In addition to co-opting Warby Parker's business idea, Bluefly's just-launched e-commerce site Eyefly also stole Warby Parker's product shots. It seemed pretty outrageous — not just the big company ripping of the little guy, but to add insult to injury, Bluefly was doing something mean to a do-good organization (for every pair of glasses they sell, Warby Parker donates one pair of glasses to someone in need).

Wal-Mart to Test Small Store Format
June 6, 2011

Wal-Mart said it would introduce a small-store format, called Wal-Mart Express, aimed at rural and urban areas without nearby grocery stores. The first prototype store, set to open this week, stands 15 feet to 20 feet tall and has 45 parking places — a big change from the typical Wal-Mart superstore with high ceilings and vast parking spots.

Retail Chains Post Modest 4.9% Sales Growth in May
June 3, 2011

Shoppers appeared to be more cautious last month in spending for clothing and other items as rising gas and food prices took up a bigger chunk of their disposable income, raising some concern about a possible slowdown in sales over the summer.

New York City’s Fifth Avenue has World’s Highest Retail Lease Rates
June 3, 2011

New York City remains the world’s most expensive retail destination as retailers focus on the major fashion capitals pushing global rents in prime locations even higher, according to the latest CB Richard Ellis Global Retail MarketView. The average rent for space along Fifth Avenue from 49th Street up to 59th Street hit $1,900 per square foot in the first quarter.