CONNECTING THE DOTS: After expanding from its signature knit tops to skirts, dresses and pants, Three Dots launched an e-commerce Web site in December in an effort to propel more growth. The Web site (shop.threedots.com) fills a void left by the closing in October of the Garden Grove, Calif.-based company's stand-alone shop on Melrose Avenue. No longer fretting about slow foot traffic and parking, Three Dots said its average online order totaled $349.

The e-commerce site also aims to attract new customers by sponsoring a contest for a $250 shopping spree, in addition to stocking limited edition products and gift cards. But Three Dots, which was founded in 1995, isn't completely leaving the brick-and-mortar world. This month it will unveil a 100-square-foot shop within Fred Segal Couture in Santa Monica, Calif. "We wanted to make the brand, in its full breadth, accessible to the consumer," said Three Dots executive vice president David Lazar.
— Khanh T.L. Tran

NEW TRADE SHOW: Class, a new global green trade show, will launch at the Santa Monica Civic Center March 1 to 3. While several of the apparel exhibitors, among them Kanvis, Corpus, Diesel, Hudson, John Varvatos, Linda Loudermilk, N.E.W Brands, Orthodox, Retro Sport, Revole, Split Vision, Ted Baker, Trina Turk, Triple 5 Soul and William Rast, are Los Angeles-based, the show is intended to attract global brands and buyers with an intimate, eco-friendly atmosphere, including a solar-powered venue and organic concessions and booth materials. There will be music spun by DJs A.M. and Steve Aoki, as well as live band performances. Retailers such as American Rag, Blake, Erica Dee, Fred Segal, H Lorenzo, Kitson, Lisa Kline and Madison are confirmed to attend.
— Marcy Medina

PORTS CLEANUP: The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have approved measures to pay for a $2 billion environmental program that bans trucks that don't meet 2007 pollution standards. Under new tariff regulations passed last month, both ports will levy a $35 fee on 20-foot equivalent cargo containers entering or leaving the complexes beginning June 1. The fees are expected to generate $1.6 billion by 2012 and will be supplemented by $400 million in government grants to cover the entire cost of the program.