Personnel Updates:
Banana Republic announced Simon Kneen, Exec VP of Design and Creative Director, is leaving the company effective Dec. 31.
Columbia Sportswear Company announced the appointment of Franco Fogliato as Senior VP of Europe.
JCPenney Company, Inc. has named Jan Hodges Senior VP and General Manager of Home Goods.
JCPenney Company, Inc. announced that departing Saks Inc. CEO and Chairman Stephen Sadove has been elected to its board of directors, effective upon his leaving Saks.
Joe Fresh has hired Mario Grauso as COO.
Lands’ End has named Michele Donnan-Martin as the company’s Exec VP and Chief Merchandising Design Officer.
Patagonia named Joy Howard as its new VP of Marketing.
Saks Incorporated announced that upon completion of the merger with Hudson’s Bay Company, Stephen Sadove, Chairman and CEO of Saks, and Ronald L. Frasch, President and Chief Merchant of Saks, would be leaving the company. Hudson’s Bay Co. has appointed Marigay McKee as the future President of Saks.
Sears Canada Inc. announced Douglas C. Campbell is President and CEO, replacing Calvin McDonald who has resigned.
Tiffany & Co. promoted Frederic Cumenal to the position of President.
Financial Focus:
Frederick’s of Hollywood announced it will go private.
Mergers and Acquisitions:
Fanzz, a Salt Lake City-based sports apparel and merchandise retailer, has acquired Just Sports, a sports apparel retailer in the Pacific Northwest. The 23 locations will continue to operate as Just Sports and will be updated and enhanced.
Joe’s Jeans Inc. has completed the acquisition of Hudson Clothing Holdings, Inc., a leading global designer and marketer of women’s and men’s premium branded denim apparel.
PVH Corp. announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell substantially all of the assets of its G.H. Bass & Co. division to G-III Apparel Group, Ltd.
Industry Insight:
Birks & Mayors Inc. announced that its corporate name has changed to Birks Group Inc. and its ticker symbol will be changed to BGI.
Chico’s FAS, Inc. announces the company’s international expansion with White House Black Market’s first Canadian boutique opening in Toronto, ON.
JCPenney is expanding its baby and kids departments with the launch of several exclusive brands. The launch includes the installation of Disney branded shops, ranging from 800 sq. ft. to 1,100 sq. ft., inside 565 stores.
Miles Kimball Co. is changing its name to Silver Star Brands.
Sears Canada introduced the first-ever Black Friday sale in Canada to accompany Canadian Thanksgiving.
Urban Outfitters has purchased 6.5 acres in the Philadelphia suburb of Devon, Pa., on which is plans to build a lifestyle shopping village concept. The retailer plans to build a Terrain garden center, an Anthropologie, a boutique hotel, two restaurants, and a specialty foods market, along with such other possibilities as a health/spa facility.
Real Estate:
Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. will open its second Field & Stream store in Crescent Springs, KY. The company also recently reopened its newly renovated Dick’s Sporting Goods store in Cary, NC.
Kohl’s Department Stores announced the opening of three new stores in Hyannis, MA, Keene, NH, and Michigan City, IN. The company also said it is remodeling 30 locations this fall.
Nordstrom Inc. opened a relocated 135,000 sq. ft. Nordstrom store at Americana at Brand in Glendale, CA. The company also announced plans to open new Nordstrom Rack stores. A 45,000 sq. ft. store at Riverside Plaza in Riverside, CA is planned for spring 2014, a 36,000 sq. ft. store at The Shops at Summerlin in Summerlin, NV and a 39,000 sq. ft. store on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, PA are planned for fall 2014 and a 35,000 sq. ft. store at University Station in Westwood, MA will open in spring 2015.
Recreational Equipment Inc. announced it will open a 22,000 sq. ft. REI store at Keizer Station, Keizer, OR this spring.
Saks Incorporated announced its plans to open seven new Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH stores in 2014: The Outlets at Bloomfield in Pearl, MS; Potomac Mills in Woodbridge, VA; Palm Beach Outlets in West Palm Beach, FL; Outlet Shoppes at Louisville/Lexington, KY; Twin Cities of Eagan in Minneapolis, MN; The Mayfair Collection in Mayfair, WI; and Easton Gateway in Columbus, OH.
Silver Jeans Co. open a “loft” concept store at Glendale Galleria in Glendale, CA.
The Bon-Ton Stores will open a new Herberger’s store at Cache Valley Mall in Logan, UT, its first in the state. The 62,000 sq. ft. store is expected to open in the second half of 2014.
Von Maur Department Stores will open a new store at Riverchase Galleria Mall in Hoover, AL. Located just outside of Birmingham, the three-level 185,000 sq. ft. store will be the company’s first location in Alabama and will become one of Von Maur’s largest stores in the country.
Technology News:
Foot Locker, Inc. is introducing Six02.com, the e-retail extension of its Six:02 stores aimed at women.
Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th unveiled its e-commerce site, saksoff5th.com.
