Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
Le Tote Completes Lord & Taylor Acquisition
The clothing rental subscription service plans to open several “rental studio” locations in Lord & Taylor stores.

San Francisco—Clothing rental subscription service Le Tote completed its acquisition of Lord & Taylor last week, purchasing the retailer from Hudson’s Bay Company for $100 million.
As per the deal, first announced in August, Le Tote will also acquire Lord & Taylor’s brands, intellectual property, digital channels and inventory.
Founded in 2012, Le Tote rents out women’s clothing and accessories for a flat monthly fee, with the option to then purchase at a discount.
The company said it plans to offer Lord & Taylor’s inventory on its rental platform.
In its first cross-brand collaboration, Le Tote launched an in-person “Rental Studio” in a Lord & Taylor store in Ridge Hill, NY, giving customers a first-hand look at a sampling of its rental inventory.
“By pairing tradition and technology, we are erasing the lines between online and in store, renting and buying,” said Le Tote CEO Rakesh Tondon in a press release.
“Today, more than ever, people aren’t single brand or single channel shoppers. They crave innovative, personalized experiences,” he added.
The deal also gives Hudson’s Bay, which also owns Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks Off 5th, an equity stake in Le Tote and certain minority shareholder rights as well as two seats on its board.
Bari Harlam, chief marketing officer, and Nick Cavallaro, vice president of corporate development, will fill HBC’s board seats.
HBC and its real estate joint venture, HBS Global Properties, will retain ownership of all Lord & Taylor-related owned and ground-leased property. The company will continue to pay the rent for the next three years; it expects to be liable for approximately $58 million in Lord & Taylor rent on an annual basis.
Le Tote also announced the appointment of Ruth Hartman, its chief merchandising officer, as president of Lord & Taylor.
Brian Hoke will continue to serve as Lord & Taylor’s chief merchandising officer while Robert Wehrle will stay on as senior vice president of stores.
“By delivering data driven experiences, we’ll breathe new life into the traditional retail model and put customers in the driver's seat in a way they’ve never been before,” said Hartman in a press release.
Le Tote said additional rental studio locations will launch in more Lord & Taylor stores in coming weeks.
The Latest

Simon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.

A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.

The risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.

The company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.


The organization also announced its board of directors.

Charms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.

Paola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.

A platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.

The Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.

The 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.

Lilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.

GCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.

The Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.

Industry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
The two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

The Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.

The jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.

The “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.

Interior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.

During a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.

The free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.

The feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.