Personnel Updates:
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. hired Joanne C. Crevoiserat to be CFO.
Bergdorf Goodman announced Melissa Lowenkron as a new Men’s GMM.
Claire’s Stores announced its CEO, James D. Fielding, has resigned. He will be replaced by Beatrice Lafon, previously President of Claire’s Europe.
Gordmans Stores announced that its president and CEO, Jeff Gordman, has resigned.
Kohl’s Corp.’s announced its Chief Merchandising Officer, Donald A. Brennan, has resigned.
Macy’s announced that Chief Merchandising Officer Jeffrey Gennette has been named President of the company.
Macy’s Merchandising Group announced Stuart Goldblatt is set to retire.
Mulberry announced its CEO Bruno Guillon has left the company.
PVH Corp. announced that the company’s CEO, Tom Murry, will transition to the position of Executive Chairman of Calvin Klein, Inc. as of July 1, 2014, serving in an advisory role to the new CEO. He will retire at the end of the fiscal year. Effective July 1, 2014, Steve Shiffman, presently the President & Chief Commercial Officer of Calvin Klein, Inc., will be promoted to CEO.
Sears Holdings announced that William Hutchinson will join the company as Senior VP and President, Supply Chain. He succeeds Raj Penkar who will retire at the end of May.
Tiffany & Co. said executive James N. Fernandez will retire in July. Ralph Nicoletti will replace Mr. Fernandez as CFO. The company also announced Patrick B. Dorsey has retired. Leigh M. Harlan was promoted to the position of Senior VP, Secretary and General Counsel
VF Corporation announced the appointment of Steve Rendle to the newly created role of Senior VP, Americas. The company also announced the following senior management changes: Patrik Frisk has been promoted to Coalition President, Outdoor Americas and Kevin Bailey has been promoted to Coalition President, Action Sports Americas and Vans.
Mergers and Acquisitions:
The Jones Group Inc. announced it will be acquired by Sycamore Partners.
Xcel Brands announced that it has acquired fine jewelry and watch brand Judith Ripka.
Industry Insight:
BaubleBar opened 35 pop-up shops in select Nordstrom locations. The “Nordstrom Loves BaubleBar” pop-up features new and exclusive items from the brand.
Coldwater Creek Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, saying it plans to close all its stores by early summer.
DSW Inc. is bringing women’s footwear brand Yellow Box into the retail arena. DSW’s Affiliated Business Group division has entered into an agreement with Yellow Box Corp. to operate stores under the Yellow Box banner. The company plans to open Yellow Box stores throughout the United States, starting off with three to five store openings in 2014.
Gap Inc. announced plans to open five franchise-operated Old Navy stores in the Philippines in 2014.
Lululemon Athletica Inc. has launched a brand new line of casual clothes for outside the yoga studio that includes sundresses, pants and tank tops. The line, called “&Go,” is being sold online and in stores.
New York & Company, Inc. will relocate its corporate headquarters to 330 West 34th Street in New York City by the end of 2014.
Nordstrom Inc. is delaying the opening of its Nordstrom Rack chain in Canada until 2017, in order to focus its attention on the launch of its full-line department stores there.
Sears is launching Now + Here, a fast fashion shop available in Sears stores, on Sears.com and Shopyourway.com. The Now + Here shops offer a new shop environment with monthly deliveries.
Tom Ford has launched its first e-commerce store. Tomford.com offers an accessories-driven selection of the designer’s products, including handbags and jewelry, with clothing to be added to the site in the coming months.
Real Estate:
Academy Sports + Outdoors plans to open four new stores across Indiana and Kentucky later this fall. The first two locations, Evansville, IN, and Owensboro, KY, will mark Academy’s entry into both states followed by the opening of stores in Louisville and Middletown, KY, prior to the holidays. The specialty retailer also plans to open two new stores in Cartersville, GA on April 11 and Douglasville, GA on May 2.
Dick’s Sporting Goods opened its relocated store at McCandless Crossing in Pittsburgh, PA.
Charming Shoppes Inc. opened a new Lane Bryant store at Elmore Marketplace in Davenport, IA.
Golf & Tennis Pro Shop Inc. announced three new PGA Tour Superstores openings in 2014 and an ambitious growth strategy that will more than double its current retail footprint, adding one million square feet of new golf retail space over the next five years. The retailer will open new interactive retail experience stores this fall in Orlando, FL, North Scottsdale, AZ and Southlake, TX.
Maurices will open 60 new stores by the end of its fiscal year in July 2014. In addition to new store openings, Maurices is remodeling or expanding 80 stores this year.
Nordstrom, Inc. announced today plans to open a Nordstrom Rack at Mountain Grove adjacent to Citrus Plaza in Redlands, CA. The approximately 35,000 sq. ft. store is scheduled to open in spring 2015.
Sports Authority opened two locations in Puerto Rico, one in the Plaza Las Americas shopping center in San Juan and the other in the Plaza Carolina shopping center in Carolina.
Zara will open a 35,000 sq. ft. store at Glendale Galleria in Los Angeles, CA in 2015.
Technology News:
Wolverine Worldwide is leveraging Demandware as the digital commerce backbone of its global retail direct-to-consumer operations.
Green Initiatives:
Sears Holdings has been recognized by The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with a 2014 Energy Star Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award. Sears Holdings, an Energy Star partner since 1998, will be honored for its long-term commitment to energy efficiency.
