Personnel Updates:
American Eagle Outfitters has named Kitty Yung to the position of Exec VP, President of Asia Pacific. The company also promoted Simon Nankervis to Senior VP, Americas and Global Country Licensing.
Ascena Retail Group announced that Erin Stern has accepted the position of Exec VP and Chief Merchandising Officer of Maurices.
Bebe Stores, Inc. named Katrina Glusac Chief Merchandising Officer.
Cache Inc. announced that Daphne Pappas has joined the company as Exec VP, Chief Merchandise Officer.
City Sports announced that it has named Ted Manning as Chief Merchandising Officer.
Crocs, Inc. announced that it has named Andy Sackmann as Chief Marketing Officer.
Guess Inc. has appointed Hillary Super as Senior VP, GMM. Hillary Super most recently worked for American Eagle Outfitters Inc.
JCPenney announced Myron E. (Mike) Ullman has rejoined the company as CEO replacing Ron Johnson.
Lululemon Athletica Inc. announced Chief Product Officer Sheree Waterson has left the company.
Saks Fifth Avenue announced that John Cruz has been named Senior VP and Director of the New York City flagship store. Cruz replaces Suzanne Stemper-Johnson
The Jones Group has named Greg Clark to the position of Chief Marketing Officer.
True Religion Apparel, Inc. announced that Jeff Lubell has decided to step down as Chairman and CEO. Lynne Koplin, President of True Religion, will serve as Interim CEO.
Wet Seal announced Kim Bajrech has been appointed Senior VP, GMM Apparel, and Debbie Shinn has been appointed Senior VP, GMM Accessories and Ready-to-Wear.
Industry Insight:
Abercrombie & Fitch plans to enter the Australian market. The company will open two Hollister stores in the country this year.
Belk announced a new collection in Belk stores and on Belk.com. NFL quarterback Cam Newton’s exclusive collection, MADE Cam Newton, offers fashion-forward, versatile, professional and sportswear apparel options for men.
Kleinfeld Bridal, the bridal retailer and star of the hit reality show “Say Yes to the Dress,” will open a 20,000 sq. ft. salon in Hudson’s Bay’s flagship location in downtown Toronto in early 2014. The Hudson’s Bay Company has exclusive rights to the brand in Canada.
Limited Brands has temporarily changed its name to “L Brands”. This name change is part of the company’s transition process following the sale of The Limited stores, which it completed in 2010. The retailer plans to announce a new permanent name within the next few months.
Sears Holdings has launched a new business unit that will focus on the development of entertainment-driven fashion and lifestyle brands. The unit, called Shop Your Way brands, will be lead by Bernt Ullmann.
Tommy Bahama is entering Japan with two new stores. The retailer opened a mall location in Yokohama last week, and a bi-level, 5,995 sq. ft. flagship in Tokyo’s Ginza district. Tommy Bahama is planning additional store openings in Chicago and Sydney in May.
Real Estate:
American Apparel has opened a new 3,300 sq. ft. Los Angeles, CA store in the Westfield Topanga shopping center in Canoga Park.
The Bon-Ton Stores will close its Younkers Furniture Gallery in the Lakeshore Marketplace in Muskegon, MI, in June.
City Sports opened a store in New York’s financial district located at 50 Broadway. At 11,000 sq. ft., it is the largest City Sports location to date.
Destination Maternity Corp. has opened its first Destination Maternity superstore in Canada. The 5,000 sq. ft. store is located at The Corner in Langley, a suburb of Vancouver.
Eastern Mountain Sports opened a new store in Nashua, NH. The 22,204 sq. ft. store is more than twice the size of the company’s previous Nashua location.
Golfsmith International Holdings Inc. announced the opening of a 40,000 sq. ft. Golfsmith superstore in Katy, TX. The store, one of 10 planned openings for 2013, is what the company calls its Xtreme format.
J. Crew Group Inc. plans to open 46 stores in 2013. The new stores will include 17 Madewell stores, 13 factory outlet units and 16 namesake units, including the previously announced London store. The London store will mark the company’s first European location. J. Crew plans to roll out additional European stores and debut in Asia, but has not yet announced any specified global locations aside from London.
Lilly Pulitzer has opened a new store in Hackensack, NJ. Located in The Shops at Riverside, the 2,838 sq. ft. store marks its 20th company-owned retail unit.
Macy’s Inc. will build a more than $35 million expansion at its online order fulfillment center in Goodyear, AZ. The expansion will add 360,000 sq. ft. of space. Construction is scheduled to start this summer and be operational by spring 2014.
Nordstrom Inc. plans to open new Nordstrom Rack stores in Louisville, KY, and Sarasota, FL in fall 2013. Nordstrom also recently announced it will open a new namesake department store in Toronto in fall 2016. The three-story, 188,000 sq. ft. store is planned for Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre.
Signet Jewelers Ltd. reported it anticipates opening 65 to 75 new U.S. stores for the year.
Green Initiatives:
Kohl’s Department Stores will be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a recipient of the 2013 Energy Star Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award for the company’s continued leadership in protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency initiatives.
