Retail Stores

Ever opened a fashion magazine like Vogue or GQ, and wonder, "who can afford to buy this stuff?" Most people use magazine spreads as inspiration, then turn to affordable stores like Top Shop for items that can pass for being straight off the runway. Others find designer items at outlets or discount stores like Nordstrom Rack.

BHLDN, the wedding retailer created by the folks at Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie, took a leap and opened its first-ever brick-and-mortar location at the Highland Village shopping center in Houston, Texas.

Retailers have the chance to make changes now to grab Gen Y dollars and follow the example set by leading youth brands like Apple, Chipotle, Scion, and H&M. 

With holiday planning already underway, retailers are looking for different ways to reach consumers and drive sales during the 2011 holiday season. Typically, retailers play to the traditional themes of the season to engage with consumers. However, new data released by Motista suggests that retailers should look beyond the traditional set of holiday emotions such as family and giving to understand what’s really motivating consumers to spend more.

PetSmart reported that net income for its second quarter rose 26 percent to $61.2 million, up from $48.4 million in the year-ago period. Revenue increased 7 percent to $1.49 billion, matching Wall Street expectations. Same-store sales grew 5 percent.

The oppressive heat waves across the country have ended. Summer camps are coming to a close and children are scrambling to finish the reading lists they've ignored all summer. This can only mean one thing — the first day of school is just around the corner.

vineyard vines will open its newest retail stores in Massachusetts, Texas, Virginia and New Jersey. With these additions, vineyard vines will now have 20 retail locations across the country, including the previously announced Fashion Island store in Newport Beach, Calif.

The recession has encouraged a host of deal-seeking behavior among consumers, including searching out online and mobile coupons as well as taking advantage of daily-deal offers, which have risen in popularity dramatically.

Hot Topic reported that it tightened its loss in the second quarter to $6.2 million, compared with a loss of $6.3 million a year earlier. The retailer said it will open up to 45 Torrid stores in fiscal 2012.

Park & Bond has teamed up with GQ to launch GQ Selects, a monthly collection of handpicked and curated items from the magazine.