Category: Fashion

Nasty Gal Moves from Online to Brick ‘n Mortar with Store Opening in LA

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In a completely subtle, yet intriguing method, Nasty Gal founder Sophia Amoruso announced the launch of their first store via Twitter. While many brick ’n mortar retailers  are trying to ramp-up ecommerce platforms, Nasty Gal has the advantage of going in the opposite direction. In 2006, Amoruso launched Nasty Gal, a completely cool vintage/new-designer store […]

Ecommerce Study Reveals China As Greatest Market Opportunity; Label Networks Compares Results with Youth Culture Online Shopping Trends

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China tops the list when it comes to ecommerce opportunities in retail bursting to an estimated $271 billion in the next five years. This result comes from a recent study by A.T. Kearney, a global consultant and managing firm that reported the results of the Global Retail E-Commerce Index rankings today, November 18, 2013. From […]

Etsy’s New Policies Open Doors for Small Business Growth, But Pisses-off Some Online Artisans, and Revives Question “What Is Handmade?”

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Etsy.com has always been among the leaders when it comes to attracting a community of online artisanal handmade crafters and vintage collectors. But last month, their new policy shifts have raised questions about what exactly, qualifies for being “handmade”—a pre-requisite to host a storefront on their site—and pissed-off the hardcore artists that felt Esty was […]

Abercombie & Fitch Closes All Gilly Hicks Stores, Moves Brand Into Hollister

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Teen retailer Abercrombie & Fitch continues with their new plans at streamlining strategies and getting back to a core brand focus by announcing the closure of their Gilly Hicks stores by Q1 of 2014. Gilly Hicks as a brand however, will be relocated online and in their Hollister stores. At the announcement on November 6, […]

Beleaguered Billabong “Simplifies” and Sells Canadian Chain West 49 to YM Inc. for USD $8.6-$10.5 Million

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Billabong continues to struggle along, this time by selling 92 West 49 retail stores across Canada to YM Inc., owners of Sirens, Stitches, Urban Planet, and Bluenotes for approximately C$9 million-C$11 million or between USD $8.6-$10.5 million. In a statement Neil Fiske, CEO of Billabong, said, “The sale of West 49 is part of our […]

Bread & Butter Launches “Ich Bin Ein Berliner” Campaign, Online Platform #BBBConnect, and BBB Mag

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Bread & Butter in Berlin has launched their next campaign for their upcoming show, January 14-16, 2014 at the Airport Berlin Tempelhof called “Ich Bin Ein Berliner” meaning I am a Berliner. The idea, according to the trade show is to bring the feeling of Berlin to everyone around the world interested in the industry […]

H&M Conscious Foundation Concludes Top 3 Global Issues with Water Being Number One

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As we reported last week in our Sustainability Round-up story, H&M Conscious Foundation launched a program to gather information from employees and customers as to which 3 top global issues the Foundation should address in the coming year. The results are in with the top issue being Water: defined as “safe access to clean water […]

Sneakerboy, the Luxury Sneaker-Freaker Buyer, and Fresh Concepts in Retail

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While Nike tends to still hold fast to the notion that sneakers are not fashion, but are first and foremost about high-tech function, niche brands with a nod towards fashion have plowed their way into the cool aesthetics of a new culture of sneaker-heads. Not that Nike’s not on the leading-edge of sneaker style, because […]

Sustainability Round-up: H&M Open Invitation for H&M Conscious Foundation; Levi’s X Dyneema for Longer-Lasting Jeans; Patagonia’s Responsible Economy Program

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Sustainable solutions are key business strategies for many of the top global leading brands targeting youth culture these days. As we’ve noted in our various Sustainability and the State of the Future Youth Culture Studies, sustainability issues are vitally important to a new generation of young people who have grown-up with recycling as a part […]

Retail Round-up: VF’s Q3 Results with Vans Up 16%, Plus Re-launch of Women’s Collection; Adidas Group Unites Adidas and Reebok Under One Management Team

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Once again, VF Corp’s Outdoor and Action Sports divisions are leading the charge for the mega-conglomerate with revenues up 5% to $3.3 billion and Vans up 16% in North America. The Q3 financials released Monday, October 21, 2013 indicate a strong quarter and changes including a 4-to-1 stock split. “VF is at its best when […]