Personnel Updates:
Belk Inc. promoted David Zant to President and Chief Merchandising Officer. Jan Clevenger has been named Exec VP and GMM of Men’s, Home and Kids.
The Bon-Ton Stores named former Belk President and Chief Merchandising Officer Kathryn Bufano as the company’s new President and CEO.
Christopher & Banks Corporation announced that Lynn C. Derry joined the company as Senior VP, GMM. The company also announced that Peter G. Michielutti has been promoted to Exec VP, COO and CFO.
Crocs, Inc. announced that Claire Fahie-Conley has been appointed VP of Retail for North America.
Destination Maternity Corp. announced Edward M. Krell is stepping down as CEO. Mr. Krell will be succeeded by Anthony M. Romano.
Express Inc. announced CEO Michael Weiss will retire in January 2015. He will be succeeded by David Kornberg, currently President, who will assume the added role.
Groupe Bikini Village Inc. announced that Mrs. Isabelle Grise has been appointed President and CEO.
Joe Fresh has promoted Mario Grauso to President.
Macy’s Inc. hired Jason Williams as Senior Manager, Real Estate. Mr. Williams will be responsible for retail store real estate functions in the North Central Region, as well as Macy’s logistics and warehousing real estate functions across the country.
Nike Inc. announced Heidi O’Neill has assumed the newly created role of VP, GM of Nike Stores. Amy Montagne has been appointed VP, GM of Nike Women’s.
Pacific Sunwear’s Senior VP of Women’s Merchandising and Design, Christine Lee, has resigned. Filling the role on an interim basis will be Brieane Breuer.
Tiffany & Co. announced its CEO Michael J. Kowalski will retire March 31, 2015. The company announced Frederic Cumenal as Kowalski’s successor; he will step up to the CEO role April 1, 2015.
Timberland has elevated Stewart Whitney to Brand President, effective October 5. The company announced further promotions. Lisa Demarkis assumes a newly created role of VP of Product, Chris Pawlus has been promoted to VP Global Product, Creative Director, and Jeff Thompson was promoted to VP of Footwear.
The Wet Seal named Christine Lee Exec VP and Chief Merchandising Officer effective September 3.
Mergers and Acquisitions:
Genesco’s Lids division acquired a wholesale team sports company, Nashville Sporting Goods, and its production affiliate National Team Embellishment, both headquartered in Nashville, TN.
Nordstrom Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire Trunk Club, a personalized clothing service for men.
Industry Insight:
Aeropostale, Inc. announced the launch of its P.S. from Aeropostale brand in Mexico The brand celebrated the grand opening of its first store at the Sante Fe Mall in Mexico City.
Crocs Inc. announced plans to close 75 to 100 stores and lay off 183 workers company-wide.
Lane Bryant announced the debut of the brand’s newest collection, 6TH & LANE.
Nordstrom Inc. said it’s launching for the first time a private-label brand that will give 5 percent of its earnings to nonprofits that seek to empower women and young girls.
Pandora will add Mickey Mouse to its array of gold and silver charms later this year after the jewelry retailer signed an agreement with Walt Disney Co.
Roberts Shoe Store closed after 77 years in business in Minneapolis, MN.
Wet Seal Inc. celebrated the opening of 31 Wet Seal+ Plus stores across the country on August 16.
Real Estate:
Academy Sports + Outdoors plans to open four new stores next year in Kissimmee, Lake Mary, Waterford Lakes and Melbourne, FL. Each store will be approximately 63,000 sq. ft. and will create approximately 125 new jobs.
Cabela’s will open its second location in Oregon on September 18. The 100,000 sq. ft. store will open in Tualatin, at 7555 S.W. Nyberg St.
Dick’s Sporting Goods announced new store openings in Coral Springs, FL and Lakeland, FL.
Golf Galaxy is opening a new store in Cary, NC, this fall. The store will be at Parkside Town Commons.
H&M opened a new 26,000 sq. ft. store at Perimeter Mall in Atlanta, GA.
JCPenney is opening its first-ever store in Brooklyn, NY. The store will have design elements and innovative features not found in any of its other stores. The 124,000 sq.-ft., single-level store will celebrate its grand opening on August 29.
Macy’s Inc. announced it is closing two of its stores. The Bradenton, FL, and York, PA stores are expected to close within the next year.
Nordstrom, Inc. announced plans to open a Nordstrom Rack at The Center at Rancho Niguel in Laguna Niguel, CA. The approximately 29,500 sq. ft. store is scheduled to open in spring 2015. The company also plans to open a Nordstrom Rack at the Empire Outlets in Staten Island, NY. The approximately 34,000 sq. ft. store is scheduled to open in fall 2016.
Saks Inc. announced a new Saks Off Fifth store will open in Somerset Shoppes in Boca Raton, FL The 23,343 sq. ft. is expected to open in the first quarter of 2015.
Uniqlo announced it will open a massive store on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, IL in fall 2015.
Von Maur plans to open its 30th location on October 18 in Oklahoma City, OK. The new location will be the company’s first in the state and will be part of the city’s Quail Springs Mall.
Wolverine World Wide Inc., the owner of the Stride Rite brand of shoes, announced last week it will close up to 140 stores in the next 18 months, and invest much of the savings in e-commerce. The company, which has many trade names, said most of the stores on the chopping block are Stride Rite. Of the 140 stores, 60 will close in fiscal 2014, and the rest will close in fiscal 2015.
