Retail sales remained mixed in August, according to the initial sales figures reported by national retail chains. For teen stores Zumiez and Hot Topic, the August reports seemed to echo July numbers, with Zumiez reporting same-store gains and Hot Topic reporting same-store losses. Everett, more»

In the next two years, shoppers will become even more oriented toward their homes, relying on technology, computers and smart phones to interact with the outside world. Think 3-D television sets that give viewers a real-life experience. Imagine mobile-phone apps that let shoppers mix and match outfits more»

Summer heat finally hit Los Angeles, and Alternative Apparel’s tissue-thin burnout deep V-neck with pocket T-shirt is one of the top sellers at Four, a recently opened boutique at 8016 Melrose Ave. in Los Angeles. The T-shirt, with a plunging V-neck, is so sheer that it seems like an easy fit for a more»

Pacific Sunwear of California has announced that it has entered into a licensing agreement to produce Modern Amusement–branded apparel for men and women. The deal—which includes apparel, footwear and accessories—extends through Dec. 31, 2013, when PacSun will have the option of more»

It may be only a little more than 1 year old, but the Malibu Lumber Yard’s owners want to sell the high-end shopping center, which is located not far from the ocean in Malibu, Calif. Malibu Lumber Yard partners Richard Weintraub and Richard Sperber quietly put the 32,000-square-foot property, more»

Web marketing firm comScore Inc., a Reston, Va.–based company that tracks Internet sales, reported on Aug. 10 that e-commerce sales in the second quarter of 2010 reached $32.9 billion, up 9 percent from a year ago. This is the third consecutive quarter of positive year-over-year growth, more»

Foothill Ranch, Calif.–based juniors retailer The Wet Seal Inc. is bullish on real estate. In an Aug 19 conference call on the retailer’s second-quarter earnings, Chief Executive Ed Thomas told analysts the company plans to open 60 new Wet Seal stores in 2011. The new stores will be opened more»

The next hot retail neighborhood could be Hollywood. Nina Garduno, a veteran of Los Angeles’ specialty-store scene, confirmed she is opening a 3,000-square-foot store at 1139 N. Highland Ave., near the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard. Refined basics and ready-to-wear brand James Perse opens its more»

Most of the tenants for the new Santa Monica Place mall are well-known vertical brands, such as 7 For All Mankind, True Religion, Nike, Ed Hardy, Ted Baker and Tory Burch. But a couple of independent Los Angeles–based labels debuted flagship stores at the mall. Eva Varro is one label on the move. The more»

Fraser Ross, owner of the high-profile Kitson boutique chain, typically advises retailers to think hard before opening a new store in this tough economy. But Ross broke his own rule at the new Santa Monica Place retail center. The Macerich Co.–owned mall debuted Aug. 6 in the well-to-do beach city of more»

Over its 15-year history, Intermix has grown into a multi-line boutique chain with locations across the United States. When Intermix’s 15th anniversary passed in 2009, co-founder and Chief Executive Khajak Keledjian thought it was time to take a critical look at his company. He hired a focus group more»

Are the glossy sheen and high-ticket merchandise at the newly redesigned Santa Monica Place enough to brighten tough times? After nearly two years under construction, the Santa Monica Place retail center in Santa Monica, Calif., reopened on Aug. 6 as a glittering, three-level luxury lifestyle more»

U.S. consumers sat on the sidelines in July, with retail spending flat compared with one year ago. One bright spot, however, was online sales. According to a MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse report released Aug. 4, shoppers pulled back on buying shoes, children’s clothing and menswear while more»

Bebe Stores Inc. announced on Aug. 4 that veteran fashion executive Emilia Fabricant will join the Brisbane, Calif.–based company as president. The veteran fashion executive will direct the retailer’s Bebe division. She will take care of the division’s merchandising, design, more»

Weekend athletes around the world bought fewer athletic shoes, sporting apparel and equipment in 2009, resulting in a 2 percent drop from 2008, according to a survey by market-research company The NPD Group Inc. The sports market declined markedly in the United States, with a 4 percent dip, and Japan, more»

Mobile commerce, or shopping with smart phones, is one of the new frontiers of retail, and entrepreneurs and malls are taking e-commerce to a new level of interactivity with augmented reality. The Norma Kamali flagship boutique in New York made a splash with it earlier this year. The Victoria Gardens more»

Sausalito, Calif.–based burgeoning e-tail shop Fashionistette.com (www.shopfashionistette.com) is steadily building a following that surpasses beyond California’s borders. Launched in October 2009 by a retail veteran, Fashionistette.com offers a selection of casual, chic fashion that is more»

Private-sale site HauteLook, based in Los Angeles, launched a dedicated sales page for men on Aug. 2. Men.HauteLook.com will feature sales events in men’s categories with leading brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Puma, Penguin, 7 For All Mankind, William Rast, Ben Sherman and Diesel. “We more»

The National Retail Federation is urging Congress to enact legislation that would close a loophole that allows e-commerce retailers to avoid collecting sales tax on items sold online. H.R. 5660, introduced by Rep. Bill Delahunt (D–Mass.), is dubbed the “Main Street Fairness Act.” more»

Sunnyvale, Calif.–based social shopping website Kaboodle has named Anne Zehren chief executive officer. Zehren succeeds founder and CEO Manish Chandra, who has left the company to pursue other opportunities. Zehren previously served as president and chief operating officer of Common Sense Media, a more»

Los Angeles–based MyShape has a new chief executive officer. Prior to her promotion, Mercedes De Luca was chief technology officer of the 4-year-old MyShape. The company ensures proper fit when its customers shop using MyShape’s patented technology, which pairs items with shoppers’ more»

Santa Monica Place’s ultra-chic new Bloomingdale’s takes the retailer’s SoHo concept and gives it a West Coast twist. Most retailers promise newness when they debut a new venture, but iconic luxury department store Bloomingdale’s is promising change. On Aug. 6, it opened its newest more»