Personnel Updates:
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. announced that Robert E. Bostrom has been named Senior VP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.
American Eagle Outfitters has named Chad Kessler as Chief Merchandising and Design Officer.
America’s Thrift Stores has hired former Tiffany executive Mike Kane as its new COO.
Lucky Brand announced it has hired Carlos Alberini as Chairman and CEO.
Lululemon Athletica Inc. announced founder Chip Wilson will step down as chairman. Michael Casey will take over as Chairman. The company also named Laurent Potdevin as the new CEO.
The Clarks Companies of North America Inc. named Thomas O’Neill to the role of Chairman.
Stuart Weitzman Holdings has named Francois Kress as the company’s global President.
Uniqlo USA announced the promotion of Larry Meyer to CEO.
Financial Focus:
Loehmann’s Inc. recently filed a Chapter 11 petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The company is seeking bankruptcy protection for a third time amid growing competition from discount chains.
Mergers and Acquisitions:
Haggar Clothing Co. plans to acquire Tribal Sportswear, a women’s apparel company based in Montreal.
Industry Insight:
Barneys New York has a newly renovated beauty floor at its New York store on Madison Avenue and the addition of a new lower-level beauty floor in its Beverly Hills flagship store.
David Yurman has opened a Toronto boutique, marking the brand’s first store in Canada. The 1,837 sq. ft. store is Iocated in The Yorkdale Shopping Center.
Fifth & Pacific plans to sell its Lucky Brand Jeans division so it can focus on its fast-growing Kate Spade brand.
Forever 21 announced it will open Australian stores, with the launch of a flagship store in Brisbane in mid-2014.
H & M will introduce its upscale COS fashion retail brand in the U.S. early next year, with its first store slated to open in the spring in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood.
H&M announced it will open its first Philippines store. The flagship store is slated to open during 2014.
Jared The Galleria of Jewelry has opened its 200th store.
Limited Brands, Inc. changed its name to L Brands, Inc. and its stock ticker symbol to LB.
Sears Holdings Corp. has filed to spin off its Lands’ End unit.
Real Estate:
Macy’s Inc. announced it will open new Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s stores at Miami Worldcenter to be built in downtown Miami, FL, with plans for the stores to open in fall 2016. Macy’s will occupy a 195,000 sq. ft. store, while Bloomingdale’s will occupy 120,000 sq. ft.
Nordstrom, Inc. announced plans to open a 40,000 sq. ft. Nordstrom Rack at Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks, CA in fall 2015. The company also plans to open a 32,155 sq. ft. Nordstrom Rack at Livingston Center in Livingston, NJ in fall 2014.
Recreational Equipment Inc. will open a store at Park Village in Southlake Texas. The 22,000 sq. ft. store is expected to open in fall 2014.
Recreational Equipment Inc. will open a 30,000 sq. ft. store in Fairbanks, AK in the spring of 2014.
