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- Betsey Johnson retail division to reorganize under Chapter 11
Betsey Johnson LLC, a licensee that's controlled by Castanea Partners, is seeking protection under Chapter 11. The reorganization will see most of the 63 Betsey Johnson stores shut down and about 350 employees likely laid off. Johnson will stay on as the brand's creative director, including serving as the main designer for sportswear, accessories and licenses. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required)
(4/26)     
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- Luxury sector rises as U.S. recovers, new markets emerge
A combination of a return to spending by wealthy U.S. consumers and increasing wealth in emerging markets bodes well for the luxury apparel sector, experts say. "Our optimistic outlook is reflected in our plan to expand our editorial coverage of this particular category over the next year by introducing a new front-of-book section devoted to style," said Brett Anderson, editor in chief of The Robb Report. Women's Wear Daily (subscription required)
(4/26)
- Report: Canada a sweet spot for U.S. retail chains
U.S. retailers looking to expand their international presence are increasingly looking to Canada, where retail spending is on the rise and mall productivity is rising faster than in the U.S., according to a report from Colliers International Consulting. Canada's mall retailers rang up sales of $600 per square foot last year, compared with an average of $400 at U.S. shopping centers. The Toronto Star
(4/26), Calgary Herald (Alberta)
(4/26)
- CEO's Apple store epiphany inspires J.C. Penney's strategy
Changes at J.C. Penney stores under CEO Ron Johnson have their roots in an epiphany Johnson had while planning the first Apple store. Johnson's plan to merchandise Apple's gadgets according to customer lifestyle rather than product category is mirrored in Penney's ongoing transformation aimed at appealing to younger customers, writes Walter Loeb. Forbes
(4/26)
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- Counterfeiters set eyes on low-cost items
The confiscation of 3,600 pairs of fake Hello Kitty earmuffs by federal agents in North Carolina are part of a shift by counterfeiters to try to reproduce low-end knockoffs, in addition to high-end copycat goods. "If we can make it, somebody else can fake it. It started as high-end stuff. But it's no longer limited to that. High volume stuff is just as attractive to fakers," said North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall. Star-News (Wilmington, N.C.)
(4/26)
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- Lin grabs No. 2 spot on list of top-selling NBA jerseys
Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose sold the most jerseys of any NBA player this season, based on online sales and the league's pop-up store in New York City. New York Knicks breakout star Jeremy Lin placed second, edging out perennial favorites Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. CNBC/Sports Biz
(4/26)
| Tech Trends | | |
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- Jay-Z extends "Empire" with Facebook game
Hip-hop star and entrepreneur Jay-Z is building out his brand with a social game on Facebook. With "Empire," players can assume a rapper identity and try to build their fortune, a la Jay-Z. Forbes
(4/26)
| LIMA News | | |
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Register for the LIMA Opening Night Party on June 12!
Celebrate the Winners. Toast Our Hall of Fame Inductees. Network with Your Colleagues. Kickoff Licensing Expo 2012! Join LIMA for the Opening Night Party on Tuesday, June 12 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay, directly following the Opening Night Awards Ceremony. Celebrate the start of another exciting show -- as well as the successes of 2011 -- with LIMA and your licensing colleagues. Cost to attend the Party is $75 for LIMA members, $150 for non-members.
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Register for LIMA Store Safari in Las Vegas
LIMA's Licensing University educational program begins on Sunday, June 10, with the third annual State of Retail Presentation and Store Safari, an exciting half-day program that includes a luncheon presentation and retail field trip with retail expert Carol Spieckerman, president of newmarketbuilders. In her presentation, Carol will detail tools and tactics for brand marketers seeking to retool for these and other retail realities. She'll share newmarketbuilders' transformational trajectories for 2012 and beyond and break down what it all means to brand stakeholders pursuing direct-to-retail or traditional licensing opportunities. Afterwards, we'll travel to a handpicked trio of Las Vegas-area stores for a guided tour of notable U.S. retailing trends. This unique program jump starts a full schedule of presentations and panels that cover virtually all major industry categories, including corporate branding, legal, art, celebrity, sports and digital licensing. View the entire Licensing U. schedule here.
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 | Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen."
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