Personnel Updates:

Bebe Stores, Inc. announced the appointment of Michelle Landgrebe as Exec VP, GMM of its 2b division and Keith Keegan as Senior VP of Marketing. Bebe Stores also announced that it has promoted Liyuan Woo to the position of CFO.

Cabela’s Inc. announced its co-founder and Chairman Richard (Dick) Cabela has transitioned to the role of Chairman Emeritus, effective June 5. Dick’s brother, James Cabela, co-founder and currently Vice Chairman, will become Chairman.

Cache named Arnold P. Cohen Exec VP and CMO.

Children’s Place CFO Michael Scarpa has added COO to his credentials. Scarpa, who oversees finance, information technology, distribution, logistics and wholesale, will add store operations, store development and international to his responsibilities.

Coach reported that its longtime President and Executive Creative Director, Reed Krakoff, will step down when his contract expires next year.

Columbia Sportswear Company has appointed Shawn Cox as Senior VP of Retail, a newly created position.

David’s Bridal has named Pamela B. Wallack as CEO, effective May 28. She joins David’s Bridal from Gap Inc.

Delia’s, Inc. announced the appointment of Tracy Gardner as Chief Creative Officer.

Dick’s Sporting Goods has named Andre Hawaux as CFO, Exec VP Finance and Administration.

Golfsmith International has promoted Eli Getson to Exec VP, GMM.

Guess has appointed former Victoria’s Secret executive Sharleen Ernster Lazear as Chief Design Officer, overseeing all product categories for the Guess brands.

J. Crew announced executive changes. Libby Wadle was named President of the brand, charged with overseeing both the retail and direct businesses of J. Crew, Crewcuts and J. Crew factory outlets. Former CAO James Scully has been promoted to COO. Laura Willensky and Charlie Phillips were promoted to Exec VP Merchandising. Tom Mora and Frank Muytjens have been elevated to Senior VP of Women’s and Men’s Design, respectively. Mark Demott has been named Exec VP of Brand Creative. Charlie Miller has risen to Senior VP of Asset Management.

JCPenney announced Ken Mangone has returned to his previous post as Exec VP of Product Development, Design and Sourcing. Tom Clerkin, who took early retirement from the company last year returned to JCPenney as Senior Director, Strategic Planning. The company announced the promotion of Brynn Evanson to Exec VP Human Resources. JCPenney also said Ben Fay Exec VP Real Estate, Store Design and Development, has left the company.

NIKE, Inc. announced that Michael Spillane will become the VP, General Manager of Nike’s Greater China geography. Spillane replaces Craig Cheek who will move to a global role as VP, General Manager of Nike’s Young Athletes.

Sears Holdings has appointed Jeff Balagna as its new Exec VP and CIO.

The Sports Authority has appointed Paul M. Okimoto as the company’s new Chief Marketing Officer.

Zale Corporation announced that has been appointed Senior VP of Real Estate.

Financial Highlights:

True Religion Apparel has entered into a definitive merger agreement with investment management firm TowerBrook Capital Partners.

Mergers and Acquisitions:

Foot Locker Inc. said it will buy German athletic store chain Runners Point, as it expands in Europe.

Industry Insight:

Claire’s Stores announced its Icing division is being re-branded with a new store design, new logo and updated imagery. The retailer plans to open some 35 stores this year, including a flagship in Chicago, IL. The new locations will feature the updated design. Existing stores will be remodeled.

DSW opened its first store in South Carolina, and 375^th for the company. The new store is at 320 Harbison Blvd in Columbia, SC.

Eastern Mountain Sports opened a new 13,336 sq. ft. store in the Shops at Marcus Dairy in Danbury, CT.

Gap Inc. announced it will begin franchising Old Navy internationally. The Old Navy stores will operate via franchise and are expected to open in 2014. Gap Inc. also is looking into opening company-owned Banana Republic and Gap stores in China, and expanding its smaller, newer brands (Athleta, Piperlime and Intermix) in domestic markets.

Golfsmith International is opening its first South Carolina store. The 23,500 sq. ft. store will open in the state capital of Columbia.

The Jones Group Inc. announced that it will shutter 170 underperforming stores in the U.S. by mid-2014. The Jones Group says it will emerge from the restructuring with a higher percentage of outlet stores in its portfolio, and some units will be converted to more viable sister banners. The company also announced it would consolidate DCs and cut about 18% of the company’s retail employees and another 2% of corporate, support and supply chain staff.

Kohl’s Corp. opened a new 52,000 sq. ft. IT office in Milpitas, CA.

Stein Mart reported that it plans to open four stores, close three and relocate four in 2013. Another key initiative will be the launch of Stein Mart’s e-commerce business in mid to late 2013.

Real Estate:

The Bon-Ton Stores announced it will close its Younkers store in the Rapids Mall in Wisconsin Rapids, WI by the end of July.

Cabela’s Inc. announced plans to open two new locations, with one in Tualatin, OR, and the other in the north Edmonton, AB. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer on the Canadian outpost, with a spring 2014 opening planned. The 50,000 sq. ft. store will be located in the Manning Town Centre in north Edmonton.  Construction on the 100,000 sq. ft. store in Tualatin, OR, is expected to begin this fall, with a scheduled opening for fall 2014. It will be Cabela’s second store in Oregon.

Charlotte Russe Inc. has opened its newest store in San Diego, CA. The new 7,562 sq. ft. retail store is located at the Viejas Outlets.

DSW Inc. opened new stores in Connecticut, Wisconsin, Texas and North Carolina. The Connecticut store is located in Enfield Commons in Enfield, the Wisconsin store is located in Greendale, the Texas store is located at The Forum at Olympia Parkway in San Antonio and the North Carolina store will be located in Matthews.

Golfsmith International opened a new 20,845 sq. ft. store in Beavercreek, OH.

Holt Renfrew will open a flagship store in spring 2016 at Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga, ON.

Ralph Lauren plans to open a New York store on Fifth Avenue. Located 14 city blocks south and one avenue west of the company’s existing men’s and women’s units on Madison Avenue, the new store could span up to 35,000 sq. ft.

Uniqlo opened its seventh U.S. store, and its first in an outdoor lifestyle center location. The two-level, 24,000 sq. ft. store is in Westchester’s Ridge Hill in Yonkers, NY.