Personnel Updates:
The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. announced Mike Nemoir will retire on March 28, 2014.
Brooks Brothers appointed Andrea Dorigo as President for North America.
Brown Shoe Company has appointed Leslie Singer as President of Sam Edelman Apparel.
Saks Fifth Avenue announced the appointment of Mark Briggs as Chief Marketing Officer, effective March 2014.
Hudson’s Bay Company announced the appointment of Stephen Cerrone to Executive VP, Human Resources, and the promotion of Jonathan Greller to head of its outlet division.
Industry Insight:
Barney’s New York plans to open a 57,000 sq. ft. flagship in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, NY in 2017.
Cato Corp. launched its first ever e-commerce site. Catofashions.com offers everyday flat rate shipping.
Fifth & Pacific Cos. Inc. is changing its name to Kate Spade & Co. to reflect the company’s mono-brand focus. In addition, William L. McComb, CEO of Fifth & Pacific Cos. Inc., will be stepping down from his role and will be succeeded by Craig Leavitt, currently CEO of Kate Spade. George Carrara, currently Executive VP, COO and CFO of Fifth & Pacific Cos., will be promoted to President and COO of Kate Spade & Co. Deborah Lloyd continues in her role as COO of the renamed company. The corporate name change and management transition are scheduled to take place following the release of the fourth-quarter earnings release on Feb. 25.
Hudson’s Bay Company announced it will open up to seven Saks Fifth Avenue stores across Canada and up to 25 Saks Off Fifth outlets locations over the next several years.
JCPenney Company announced that it will close 33 underperforming stores. The shutterings will result in the elimination of about 2,000 positions. Store closings are expected to be complete by early May.
Macy’s announced that it plans to close five underperforming stores and cut 2,500 jobs in early spring 2014.
Real Estate:
Aeropostale announced it will close 40 to 50 stores nationwide early this year.
Cabela’s plans to open a new 97,500-sq.-ft. store in Fort Mill, SC in spring 2015. The company plans to open an additional 20 stores during the next two years.
HHGregg will share space with REI in Columbus, OH .The electronics retailer will reduce its Sawmill Road store from 60,000 sq. ft. to 37,000 sq. ft.
Nordstrom, Inc. announced today plans to open a 35,000 sq. ft. Nordstrom Rack at Tempe Marketplace in Tempe, AZ, a 35,000 sq. ft. Nordstrom Rack at the Plaza at Jordan Creek in West Des Moines, IA, a 39,000 sq. ft., two-level Nordstrom Rack at The Shops at SkyView Center in Queens, NY and a 32,700 sq. ft. Nordstrom Rack at Lake Brandon Plaza in Brandon, FL in fall 2014.
Nordstrom Inc. also announced plans to open a full-line store in the heart of downtown Toronto, at Toronto Eaton Centre. Construction of the approximately 213,000 sq. ft., three-level store is set to begin in March 2014, with the store opening slated for fall 2016.
Sears Holdings Corp. signed a sublease with Dick’s Sporting Goods to occupy a portion of its second floor at the King of Prussia Mall in Philadelphia, PA.
Uniqlo Co. plans to continue its expansion in the United States with five new stores slated to open this spring/summer. The five new locations will include: King of Prussia Mall in King of Prussia, PA, Stamford Town Center in Stamford, CT, Serramonte Center in Daly City, CA, Sunvalley Shopping Center in Concord, CA, and Great Mall of the Bay Area in Milpitas, CA. In fall 2014, UNIQLO plans to debut in new markets, including downtown Philadelphia, Boston and Los Angeles/Southern California.
Technology News:
American Eagle Outfitters Inc. and Shopkick Inc. announced plans to launch shopBeacon technology in 100 top-performing American Eagle Outfitters and Aerie stores. Shopkick’s shopBeacon is the first Apple iBeacon-based presence signal for retailers. The shopBeacon technology works by welcoming shoppers to the store and showing them location-specific rewards, deals, discounts and product recommendations, without customers needing to open the app. It can also tie at-home browsing behavior to in-store benefits; if the customer “likes” a specific product online, if they so choose, shopBeacon can remind them where in the American Eagle Outfitters store that product is sold. In the future, it also will be able to deliver department-specific offers throughout the store.
