Personnel Updates:
Coach, Inc. announced the appointment of Stuart Vevers as Executive Creative Director.
Columbia Sportswear Company announced the appointment of Russ Hopcus as Senior VP of North American Sales.
Delia’s, Inc. announced that Whitney Randall joined the company as a new VP, General Merchandise Manager.
The Finish Line announced a new role for retiring president and COO, Steve Schneider. He will transition to the role of Exec VP of Strategic Initiatives.
Gymboree Corporation has appointed former Levi Strauss & Co. executive Joelle Maher as the company’s new COO.
Hudson’s Bay Co. announced Bonnie Brooks is leaving her post as President to become Vice Chairman. Liz Rodbell will be the company’s new President.
Louis Vuitton announced Delphine Arnault as a new Exec VP.
The Sports Authority Inc. named Michael Foss as CEO. He replaced outgoing CEO Darrell Webb, who is retiring both as the company’s CEO and Chairman of the board.
Stein Mart Inc. has named Jay Stein its permanent CEO.
Financial Focus:
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corp. has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed initial public offering of its common stock to be sold by existing stockholders.
Neiman Marcus Inc. has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed initial public offering of its common stock to be sold by existing stockholders.
Mergers and Acquisitions:
Foot Locker Inc. completed its acquisition of Runners Point Group, a specialty athletic store and online retailer based in Recklinghausen, Germany.
Industry Insight:
The Children’s Place plans to open stores in Israel, starting in the first quarter of fiscal 2014.
Stride Rite Children’s Group, a division of Wolverine World Wide, Inc. has opened its latest “Milestone” concept store at Easton Town Center in Columbus, OH. The Milestone concept includes features such as shelves at varying heights so children can easily see all of the styles available. Stride Rite has confirmed plans for three additional specialty stores to open this fall in Augusta, GA, Houston, TX, and Columbia, MD.
Real Estate:
Converse has opened its first Northern California location and its largest store to date. The 8,200 sq. ft. store is in San Francisco’s Union Square shopping district.
Joe Fresh will open a flagship in New York’s SoHo neighborhood. The 10,000 sq. ft. flagship will be located at 462 Broadway and Grand Street.
Saks Inc. is looking for a second facility to handle saks.com fulfillment.
Spanx will open a custom designed, expanded company headquarters and a flagship store in the Buckhead area of Atlanta, GA in November 2014.
Sport Chalet Inc. has unveiled a sleek, smaller format, opening a 27,000 sq. ft. store in downtown Los Angeles, CA.
UGG Australia announced the opening of a new retail store located at 5085 Westheimer Road in Houston, TX.
UNIQLO Co. Ltd. will open 10 U.S. stores this fall. The new locations will be in Bridgewater and Edison, NJ; Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Lake Grove, NY; Trumbull, CT; and San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Francisco and Emeryville, CA.
Urban Outfitters Inc. will open its largest-ever Urban Outfitters store in September. The 56,730 sq. ft. store is three levels and is located at 1333 Broadway in New York, NY.
Von Maur announced the opening of its newest store. The 80,000 sq. ft. store will be located at the Iowa River Landing in Coralville, IA.
