Personnel Updates:
Cabela’s Inc. announced that Scott Williams will be joining the company as Exec VP and Chief Marketing and E-commerce Officer.
The Children’s Place Retail Stores has announced the appointment of Peter Warner as Senior VP Global Sourcing.
Claire’s Stores, Inc. named Beatrice Lafon President of the European Division.
The Finish Line, Inc. appointed Sally McKelvey as VP, Strategy for the Finish Line brand.
HanesBrands announced that it has promoted Richard Moss to CFO.
Hot Topic, Inc. announced that Mark Mizicko has joined the company as its Senior VP of Planning and Allocation.
JCPenney Company, Inc. announced that Michael R. Francis has been named President of the company. Mr. Francis, most recently a senior executive at Target Corporation, will report to incoming CEO Ron Johnson.
Lands’ End appointed Chris Kolbe as Brand President. Kolbe will oversee merchandising, design, brand marketing, public relations and creative services. The company announced Tim Martin is the new CFO and COO, giving him responsibility for financial planning and inventory management for the brand’s global business.
NIKE, Inc. announced that Michael Egeck has been named as CEO of Hurley International, LLC.
Perry Ellis announced the appointment and return of Doug Jakubowski as Chief Merchandising Officer – leading all global operations for the Perry Ellis brand.
Financial Focus:
Christopher & Banks Corp. reported Thursday a net loss of $13 million for the quarter ended Aug. 27. Sales dropped to $96.2 million from $101.3 million, and same-store sales declined 8% during the quarter. For the second half of fiscal 2012, the retailer said it plans to open approximately eight new stores and close approximately 17 existing stores.
H & M reported that profit for the third quarter fell 15% to $533 million, from nearly $621 million in the year-ago period. H&M said it will add 265 new stores; up from the 250 previously planned, and will make market debuts in Indonesia and Thailand
Industry Insight:
Citi Trends, Inc. announced the elimination of 40 positions in its corporate offices, distribution centers and store organization. The company also announced that it would pull back on its new store opening plans, only opening stores for which it has already made commitments. This will result in approximately 55 new store additions for 2011 and approximately five for 2012.
JCPenney Company, Inc. will acquire the worldwide rights for the Liz Claiborne family of brands as well as the U.S. and Puerto Rico rights for the Monet brand. The Company has been the exclusive licensee for all Liz Claiborne and Claiborne-branded merchandise in the U.S. and Puerto Rico since August 2010.
Joe’s Jeans Inc. has opened its second store in the Middle East at the 360° Mall in Safat , Kuwait
Kohl’s Corp. said it expects to hire more than 40,000 workers this holiday season, up 5% from last year due to store growth this year. The department store chain said, on average, there will be 35 hires per store. In addition, Kohl’s anticipates hiring roughly 2,500 seasonal positions at distribution centers and over 500 seasonal and full-time credit operations positions.
The Limited announced it will enter the women’s plus-size business. The new offering, called eloquii by The Limited, will launch online in October, with stores to follow next year. The merchandise mix will include sportswear, dresses and accessories, with sizes ranging from 14W to 24W.
Macy’s Inc. will lift its holiday hiring this year by 4 percent. Macy’s expects to hire about 78,000 seasonal associates for its Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s stores, call centers, distribution centers and online fulfillment centers, compared to last year’s 75,000 seasonal associates.
Stage Stores will launch a chain of off-price stores called Steele’s for small-town America Bastrop and Minden , LA.
Real Estate:
Casual Male Retail Group, Inc. opened a new DestinationXL in Warwick , RI
Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. opened new stores in Yonkers , NY , Norcross , GA , Lexington Park , MD , West Chesterfield , VA , Liberty , MO , El Cajon , CA , Burlington , NC , and Suffolk , VA.
DSW Inc. opened new store locations in Boise , ID , Novato , CA and Annapolis , MD.
Intermix Inc. opened its sixth New York store in SoHo . The 2,725-sq.-ft. unit is located at 812 Washington St
JCPenney opened a new 105,000-sq.-ft. store at the TimberCreek Crossing shopping center in Dallas , TX
Kohl’s Department Stores opened 30 new stores in a total of 20 states. Kohl’s has also renovated about 100 existing stores this year, creating about 4,000 new jobs.
Macy’s is consolidating from nine floors to six at its store in downtown Pittsburgh
Nordstrom announced plans to open a new Nordstrom Rack in Temecula , CA
The 35,700-sq-ft, store is scheduled to open during spring 2012 at Commons at Temecula, a regional shopping center.
Ross Dress for Less celebrated its initial entry into the greater Chicago Crystal Lake , Matteson, Naperville , Niles , Orland Park, Rockford , Schaumburg, Skokie and South Elgin , IL
Saks Fifth Avenue will close its store in downtown Pittsburgh
Technology News:
American Apparel expects to double its rollout of radio frequency identification tags from 50 to 100 stores by the end of the year.
Giorgio Armani launched a website active in 30 countries in Europe, as well as the United States and Japan
Macy’s said it will start RFID rollout by the third quarter of 2012, with men’s furnishings, men’s slacks, intimate apparel, denim, women’s shoes and some private brands, and complete it by fall 2013. All 850 stores are involved.
Shoe Carnival, Inc. announced the launch of its e-commerce website at ShoeCarnival.com.
Green Initiatives:
Kohl’s Department Stores’ new store prototype has achieved LEED Gold precertification using the LEED for Retail: New Construction rating system, making Kohl’s the first U.S.
