Last month, Clarks announced it was opening its first ever Cloudsteppers store in the US… and it’s duly arrived, with the Corpus Christi, Texas, store marking the UK footwear-to-apparel retailer’s next chapter for its standalone lifestyle brand.
Cloudsteppers
It’s made its debut because UK-based Clarks says Cloudsteppers “has earned its reputation as America’s No.1 flip-flop brand for women, [citing Circana data], with over 25 million pairs of the iconic Breeze Sea sold globally”.
It’s all down to the “love for their signature ‘walk-on-air’ feel”, with Cloudsteppers products combining “lightweight comfort, dependable quality, and exceptional everyday value”.
It comes as a new 1,255 sq ft mall-based concept store with an immersive retail experience. The store’s choice of location, La Palmera, is “perfectly placed” in the beachside city “where laid-back comfort is part of everyday living”.
Designed as a “bright, welcoming space”, the store features Cloudsteppers’ first range of casual lifestyle essentials. With price points starting from $9.99, the range includes soft-touch T-shirts, hoodies, caps, bags and water bottles.
Previously focused on women’s styles, Cloudsteppers is also expanding into menswear. In the new year, it will stock a full men’s range – from sandals and sneakers to T-shirts, hoodies and more.
Peter Quirke, Clarks VP of Retail in the Americas, said: “Launching… as a standalone lifestyle concept is a major milestone for us. Cloudsteppers has really grown into its own in America.”
Activist investor Elliott Management has amassed a stake of more than $1 billion in Lululemon Athletica and is lining up a potential CEO candidate as it pushes to revive the struggling athletic apparel retailer, a source told Reuters on Wednesday.
Lululemon
Elliott has been working closely for months with veteran retail executive Jane Nielsen, former chief financial officer and chief operations officer at Ralph Lauren, and views her as a potential CEO candidate, the source added.
The hedge fund is now one of Lululemon’s biggest investors, with the move coming amid a busy year for Elliott that already includes a recent investment in PepsiCo and an earlier proxy fight at Phillips66.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the stake. Elliott and Lululemon did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
Last week, Lululemon said CEO Calvin McDonald would step down in January after seven years in the role, without naming a successor. Its share price rose after news of McDonald’s impending departure but has dropped about 60% from its peak two years ago.
The company, valued at $25 billion, now likely faces an expensive and drawn-out board dispute over the position of CEO. Its founder and largest shareholder, Chip Wilson, has also called for an urgent CEO search, led by new, independent directors with deep company knowledge to restore a product-first focus.
Wilson, who has previously courted criticism by saying some women’s body shapes “just actually don’t work” with Lululemon yoga pants, has publicly blamed McDonald and the board for the company’s lagging share price.
Known for its high-priced leggings and athleisure wear, Lululemon has ceded market share to newer brands such as Alo Yoga and to lower-cost private-label lookalikes, with executives voicing disappointment with product execution.
Clinical skincare brand Drmtlgy will make its brick-and-mortar debut at Ulta Beauty on December 26, rolling out to nearly all of the retailer’s more than 1,400 U.S. stores and online.
Drmtlgy makes retail debut at Ulta Beauty. – Drmtlgy
The exclusive launch marks a major expansion for the fast-growing brand, which is known for its evidence-based, dermatologist-trusted formulations. Through Ulta Beauty’s national footprint, Drmtlgy aims to broaden access to its technology-driven skincare and reach new consumers seeking clinically proven results.
“Joining Ulta Beauty marks an incredible milestone in Drmtlgy’s journey. Our mission has always been to bridge the gap between dermatological efficacy and everyday accessibility, and Ulta’s national presence allows us to do just that,” said Scott Futterman, co-founder & CEO of Drmtlgy.
“We’re excited to introduce our most-loved products to new customers across the country who are seeking real, clinically proven results.”
Founded by dermatology veterans, Drmtlgy develops and manufactures its products at an FDA-registered facility in Los Angeles, drawing on more than two decades of formulation and production experience. The brand has built a strong following among dermatologists, skincare professionals and consumers for delivering clinical-level performance without luxury pricing.
The Ulta Beauty launch will feature a curated assortment of 13 of Drmtlgy’s best-selling products, including the Luminous Eye Corrector, Needle-less Serum, Peptide Night Cream, and the Pumpkin Enzyme Mask.. Additional products, including the Advanced Neck Cream and SmrtSun Broad Spectrum SPF 45, will also join the lineup later in February.
“At Ulta Beauty, we continue to deepen our leadership in science-backed skincare by introducing brands that deliver meaningful, long-term skin benefits,” said Lisa Tamburello, vice president of merchandising at Ulta Beauty.
“Drmtlgy fills a key need in our assortment for medical-grade skincare that supports skin longevity, combining dermatologist-developed formulas with accessible price points. This launch reflects our commitment to meeting guests where they are in their skin journey – with trusted solutions designed to protect, strengthen, and maintain skin health over time.”
Gordon Brothers has made a majority investment in the intellectual property of the Rachel Zoe brand and its related consumer business, adding the fashion and lifestyle label to its growing portfolio of licensed brands.
Gordon Brothers takes majority stake in Rachel Zoe brand. – Mark Hanson
Under the terms of the deal, Gordon Brothers will lead the next phase of growth for the Rachel Zoe business by strategically developing the licensing business to expand product categories, experiences and distribution points.
“Rachel is an influential entrepreneur and global fashion authority who has grown her brand and broadened her cultural footprint across fashion, media and consumer lifestyle spaces,” said Tobias Nanda, head of brands at Gordon Brothers.
“We are excited to add Rachel Zoe to our portfolio of brands and partner with Rachel to build upon the legacy she has created.”
The Rachel Zoe Collection launched in 2011 with its first ready-to-wear line, and has since grown into a lifestyle brand including apparel, home, fragrance, eyewear, and children’s and baby products.
Rachel Zoe will remain closely involved with the brand as a significant shareholder, founder and chief creative officer, and a member of the board of directors.
“I am beyond thrilled to announce this new strategic partnership,” said Zoe.
“Gordon Brothers was the right fit to take the Rachel Zoe brand to the next level given the firm’s deep experience in growing global brands through licensing partnerships, innovative product development, creative marketing and operational expertise.”