CrimeMay 02, 2024
4 Indicted in Burglary Ring Targeting Indian, South Asian FamiliesThe men are allegedly responsible for stealing millions in jewelry and other valuables in 43 burglaries in 25 towns across Massachusetts.
MajorsJun 06, 2018
HBC to Close Lord & Taylor Fifth Ave. Flagship, Sell Gilt
Both announcements come as the retailer aims for a turnaround.
The Lord & Taylor flagship building has been sold to co-working space company WeWork. The retailer was meant to have a scaled-down footprint there after WeWork took over in 2019, but now Hudson’s Bay Co. has said it will close it altogether.
New York--Nearly eight months after announcing it would sell its Lord & Taylor building in New York and scale down the footprint there, Hudson’s Bay Co. has now said it will close the store.
The company announced Tuesday in its first quarter results that as it continues to balance its brick-and-mortar presence with online channels, it has decided to close its Fifth Avenue flagship in New York City altogether.
The company originally planned to continue to operate a much smaller space in the building after it sold to co-working space company WeWork in a deal valued at $850 million.
In its statement, HBC said that, “…exiting this iconic space reflects Lord & Taylor’s increasing focus on its digital opportunity and HBC’s commitment to improving profitability.”
The company said it expects to close up to 10 Lord & Taylor stores through 2019.
It has been struggling with the well-known retailer for some time. Reuters reported in early May that HBC had hired advisors to help it turn the chain around or possibly find it a buyer.
Hudson’s Bay also announced mid-May that it had appointed Vanessa LeFebvre president of Lord & Taylor in hopes of a turnaround. She joins the company from online retailer Stitch Fix.
Meanwhile, HBC also announced in its Q1 results it has entered into an agreement to sell member-based digital shopping business Gilt to flash sale site Rue La La for an undisclosed amount.
According to a press release from Rue La La, the two brands will continue to operate independently under the newly formed Rue Gilt Groupe, serving more than 20 million members between them. The buyer said it plans to hire more than 150 associates to run the Gilt business in New York, Boston and Kentucky, as well as other sites across the country.
The deal is expected to close in July.
HBC said Gilt, which it acquired in 2016, generated less than 4 percent of its total sales in fiscal 2017.
In its first quarter results, Hudson’s Bay said overall comps were basically flat, with total comparable digital sales increasing nearly 8 percent.
Comps at Saks Fifth Avenue were up 6 percent, while comps at Saks Off 5th were down 4 percent. Same-store sales at DSG (which includes Hudson’s Bay stores, Lord & Taylor and Home Outfitters) and HBC Europe were both down, with the former decreasing nearly
1 percent and the latter declining nearly 7 percent.
More on Majors
The Latest
CollectionsMay 02, 2024
Foundrae Launches ‘Horizon’ Collection“Horizon” invites individuals to explore the limitless possibilities that lie ahead, said the brand.
FinancialsMay 02, 2024
Pandora Raises Guidance After Strong Q1The jeweler credits its recent “Be Love” campaign and ongoing brand revamp for its 17 percent jump in sales.
Brought to you by
Rio’s Reimagined Podcast: For the Love of JewelersMeet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
IndependentsMay 02, 2024
Oklahoma Jeweler Glenn Lewis Dies at 68The co-founder of Lewis Jewelers was also the longtime mayor of the city of Moore.
Weekly QuizMay 02, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
AuctionsMay 02, 2024
Vintage Baume & Mercier With Ties to Elvis Sells for $7K Elvis Presley gifted this circa 1967 gold and diamond watch to Dodie Marshall, his co-star in “Easy Come, Easy Go.”
Brought to you by
The Blueprint for Success in Scalable, Personalized Jewelry RetailWith Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
SurveysMay 01, 2024
Consumer Confidence Falls in AprilConcerns about rising prices, politics, and global conflicts continue to dampen consumer outlook.
TrendsMay 01, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: All Eyes on EmeraldsMay’s birthstone is beloved for its rich green hue and its versatility.
SourcingMay 01, 2024
Opsydia Names New Sales and Marketing Director Jacqui Larsson joins Opsydia with nearly two decades of experience in the industry.
CrimeMay 01, 2024
Grand Jury to Hear Case Against Jeweler Charged in Fatal Shove Following IJO ShowLast month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
CollectionsApr 30, 2024
12 Otherworldly Pieces From Tiffany & Co.’s 2024 Blue BookThe “Tiffany Céleste” collection reimagines designer Jean Schlumberger’s interpretations of the universe.
Events & AwardsApr 30, 2024
Canadian Jewellers Association Brings Back the Summit It’s the second year for the event, slated to take place in October in Toronto.
Recorded WebinarsApr 29, 2024
Watch: Diamond Identification and Evaluation - How to Protect your BusinessSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
SourcingApr 29, 2024
De Beers to Move Auction HQ from Singapore to BotswanaSales will be paused while the relocation takes place over the next few months.
CollectionsApr 29, 2024
Simone I. Smith Mixes Denim and Diamonds in New Collection“SIS x MISA Denim and Diamonds” is a collaboration between the designer and celebrity stylist Misa Hylton.
IndependentsApr 29, 2024
Venus Jewelers Relocating After 45 YearsThe retailer is moving to a newly designed space in the same shopping center.
SurveysApr 29, 2024
Mother’s Day Jewelry Spending to Reach $7B, Says NRFGifts that are unique and thoughtful are top of mind this year, according to the annual survey.
CollectionsApr 26, 2024
Piece of the Week: Jacquie Aiche’s Starry Galaxy NecklaceThe necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
Events & AwardsApr 26, 2024
AGS Conclave and GIA Symposium Are ConvergingThe two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
SourcingApr 26, 2024
Anglo American Reportedly Shopping De Beers as BHP Eyes Anglo Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
Events & AwardsApr 25, 2024
Alexis Padis Takes Over as AGS Board President Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
EditorsApr 25, 2024
5 Tips for Creating Fans from the Top (Savannah) Banana Jesse Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment, shared the “five Es” of building a fan base during his AGS Conclave keynote.
WatchesApr 25, 2024
Audemars Piguet and John Mayer Partner on Limited Edition WatchThe Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar "John Mayer" was celebrated at a star-studded party in LA last week.
SourcingApr 25, 2024
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2024The announcement came as the company reported a 23 percent drop in production in Q1.
MajorsApr 25, 2024
Detroit Lions’ QB Jared Goff Keeps Going to JaredThe three-time Pro Bowler continues to partner with the retailer, donating to a Detroit nonprofit and giving watches to fans.
