Zara Billionaire Owner Ortega Buys $550 Million Chicago Tower
Pontegadea Inversiones SL acquired the 51-story One North Wacker in the city’s business district in one of the biggest US office deals this year.
Retail
Analysis and advice from the front lines of the retail transformation.
Report: Philip Green Prepares to Break up Arcadia Group
The owner of high-street stores Topshop and Dorothy Perkins is preparing to break up his fashion empire after narrowly avoiding collapse into administration in June.
The BoF Podcast: Retail Prophet Doug Stephens on the Most Important Store Metric
The futurist speaks with BoF Chief Correspondent Lauren Sherman about what brands should really be focusing on as a measure of brick-and-mortar store success.
Abercrombie Shares Slide as Tariffs Weigh Heavy
The retailer has adjusted its outlook to anticipate additional tariffs of as much as 30 percent.
Lord & Taylor Has a Surprising New Owner. What Happens Now?
Le Tote, a clothing rental service, has acquired the nearly 200-year-old department store chain, betting physical locations and Lord & Taylor's deep roster of brands will help grow the start-up's customer base.
Struggling Jewellery Maker Pandora to Relaunch Brand
The Denmark-based company will completely revamp the design of its 2,700 shops worldwide, unveil a new logo, increase marketing campaigns featuring celebrities and launch themed collections.
Hudson's Bay to Sell Lord & Taylor to Le Tote for $100 Million
The deal allows the Canadian retailer to divest operations of the struggling Lord & Taylor chain while holding onto the more valuable asset — the real estate on which the stores are located.
Ted Baker Inks Japan Licensing Deal
The partnership is one of the first expansion moves by CEO Lindsay Page, who was promoted in April to replace Ray Kelvin following misconduct allegations.
Barneys Wants ‘Strong Digitally Focused Partner’ for Next Stage
The struggling legacy retailer hopes to implement a bigger push into food, entertainment and experiences, as well as improved operational efficiency within the company.
Farfetch Denies Reports of Plans to Acquire Barneys
The troubled US luxury retailer has until October to find a buyer, but Farfetch says it is not interested as the fashion platform grapples with challenges of its own.
Topshop Owner Arcadia Resolves Legal Objections to Restructuring Plan
The push to move ahead with restructuring comes after two US landlords dropped their opposition to the planned Company Voluntary Arrangement.
Everyone Is Launching Rental Services. Is There Enough Demand?
A decade after Rent the Runway launched its clothing rental platform, the concept is hitting the mainstream, with retailers from Ann Taylor to Urban Outfitters piling in. But will enough consumers fully embrace the concept to justify so many competing services?
From Scrubs to Chef’s Whites, The Business of Uniforms Is Suddenly Fashionable
Brands like Figs and Tilit are taking on the workwear industry, adapting a direct-to-consumer approach and social media buzz to sell scrubs, chefwear and flame-resistant clothing.
THE NEWS IN BRIEF
Joe Corré’s Light House Club Launches Pop-Up Spaces for Emerging Designers
Independent creatives can apply to utilise pop-up spaces at Light House to sell merchandise and meet with clientele.
Shein Outsells British Rival Asos as UK Revenue Hits $3.41 Billion
The ultra-fast fashion company said sales had been bolstered by marketing partnerships with music festivals, a pop-up shop on London’s Oxford Street and local Christmas gift events.
Gap to Use Athleta Leader’s Exit to Rebuild Slumping Brand
The departure of Athleta’s CEO for Lululemon is a chance to ‘reimagine the brand’s path forward,’ Gap Inc. CEO Richard Dickson wrote in an internal memo viewed by Bloomberg.
Harvey Nichols’ Birmingham Store Will Close in January
The department store’s Leeds and Bristol outlets will be converted to the Flannels brand in a shake-up under Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group, which purchased the chain when it was put into administration in mid-August.
Lululemon Hires Athleta Head in Management Shakeup
Maggie Gauger is joining Lululemon as chief product officer as new CEO Heidi O’Neill looks to revive sales.
Levi’s Growth Slows After Marketing Misstep
The company lost out in its third quarter because of a decision to market baggy jeans over low rise, but still raised its sales outlook for the year.
Fast Retailing Annual Profit Jumps 32%, Beats Expectations
The Uniqlo owner hit a new record annual profit for the fifth year in a row, boosted by strong results in all regions.