Personnel Updates
Academy Sports and Outdoors named James Kevin Symancyk to the role of President and CEO. He will assume his new role on Nov. 2 when current President and CEO Rodney Faldyn steps down.
Ascena Retail Group announced Kay Krill is transitioning from President and CEO of Ann Inc. and has been appointed to Ascena’s board of directors. The company announced Gary Muto will succeed Ms. Krill as President and CEO.
Banana Republic announced Marissa Webb is stepping down from the Creative Director role.
Bebe Stores Inc. plans to eliminate 50 corporate positions to reflect its efforts to improve efficiency across its business.
Burberry has hired Fumbi Chima as CIO.
Crocs Inc. announced that Terence Reilly was promoted to Senior VP and Chief Marketing Officer.
Dick’s Sporting Goods announced Lauren Hobart has been promoted to the role of Exec VP, Chief Marketing Officer and General Manager of Dick’s new women’s specialty fitness stores, Chelsea Collective.
Gap Inc. announced that Stefan Larsson has stepped down as President of Old Navy. Jill Stanton, Exec VP Global Product at Old Navy, will lead the division in the interim.
Gordmans Stores announced that James B. Brown has been appointed Exec VP and CFO.
Hudson’s Bay Co. has appointed Dion Rooney to Exec VP Digital.
Hudson’s Bay Co. is cutting 265 jobs at its U.S. corporate office.
JCPenney Co. Inc. has promoted John Tighe to the role of Chief Merchant, replacing Elizabeth Sweney.
Neiman Marcus has laid off 500 employees, or about 3 percent of its workforce.
Ralph Lauren Corp. recently announced that Stefan Larsson has been named the company’s new CEO. His appointment will become effective in November.
Recreational Equipment Inc. has promoted Rachel Ligtenberg to VP Retail.
Sears Holdings Corp. named Tom Park as President of the Kenmore, Craftsman & DieHard division and Girish Lakshman as President Fulfillment.
Sears Holdings Corporation hired Sean Skelley as President of its Home Services division.
Shoe Carnival Inc. announced the appointment of Jeff Fink as Senior VP Real Estate.
Tilly’s Co. has tapped an executive who previously led the company to fill the shoes of Daniel Griesemer who stepped down as President, CEO. Replacing him is Edmond Thomas, who served as Tilly’s President and co-CEO from Sept. 2005 to Oct. 2007.
The TJX Cos. Inc. announced a CEO succession plan. The board intends to elect Ernie Herrman to the position of CEO, effective at the beginning of the company’s next fiscal year, Jan. 31, 2016. Herrman also will retain his current title as President. Carol Meyrowitz, current Chairman and CEO, will become Executive Chairman.
Tommy Bahama announced that Terry R. Pillow will retire as CEO on January 30, 2016. He will be succeeded by Douglas B. Wood, Tommy Bahama’s current president and COO.
Under Armour Inc. announced that its COO and CFO, Brad Dickerson, is leaving the company. He will remain with the company until February 2016 in order to ensure a smooth transition of leadership, and will continue to serve in his current roles while Under Armour conducts an external search for a new CFO.
Financial Focus
American Apparel Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection, but the company said its stores will not be affected by the filing, and no store closings or layoffs were announced.
City Sports Inc. plans to shut eight of its 26 stores and sell the rest after filing for bankruptcy protection.
Industry Insight
Men’s Wearhouse Founder George Zimmer recently launched Generation Tux, a concept aimed at transforming the tuxedo and suit rental market. The start-up will rent house-brand tuxedos, with a flat rate of $95. Customers also will have access to zTailors, an online tailoring service that Zimmer launched earlier this year.
JCPenney Co. Inc. is planning to overhaul how it serves plus-size customers with a new in-store and online format called “The Boutique.” Upon launch of the new in-store format, the plus-size section of Penney’s e-commerce site will also be shifted to the new format.
Macy’s Inc. announced it will open two Bloomingdale’s Outlet stores in November, at The Shops at Liberty Place in Philadelphia, and at Westfield Mission Valley in San Diego. The new outlets each will be approximately 20,000 sq. ft.
Marshalls announced that it has opened its 1,000th store. The retailer now operates more than 1,000 stores in 48 states and Puerto Rico.
Nike has opened a one-of-kind flagship to spotlight some of its most innovative merchandise. The three-level 31,000 sq. ft. store, at The Grove in Los Angeles, CA is one of the largest in the company’s portfolio.
Nordstrom Inc. will expand its Treasure&Bond brand from women’s apparel into other departments. The brand, which supports nonprofits by donating a portion of its sales to organizations that work to empower youth, will now grow to also have offerings in women’s footwear, handbags, soft accessories, men’s apparel and kid’s apparel.
Running Specialty Group announced it will rebrand all the stores as JackRabbit, including a new logo and e-commerce site. The rebranding initiative will start in November, starting with six locations in the New York market and the total campaign will take place over the next 24 months.
Sundance recently announced the opening of its newest store in Edina, MN.
Real Estate
Coach has opened its first flagship in Paris. The two-level, 6,460-sq.-ft. store is the label’s third European retail outpost, following London and Madrid.
DD’s Discounts will open new stores in Yuma, AZ, Miami, FL, Del Rio, TX and North Garland, TX on Sept. 26.
Dick’s Sporting Goods will open a new store at Wayne Towne Center in Wooster, OH on Sept. 25, and a new store at the Janesville Mall in Janesville, WI, on Oct. 2.
H&M has opened its second Manhattan Cos store, a 3,982 sq. ft. store at 505 Fifth Ave. The Fifth Avenue store shares the building with & Other Stories, which will unveil a 9,700 sq. ft. flagship on Oct. 30. H&M previously occupied the entire space.
J.Crew announced it will open a J.Crew Mercantile in Charlotte, NC, at Park Road Shopping Center in early 2016. Another location is set to open in Gainesville, VA, later this year.
Nordstrom, Inc. announced plans to relocate its Nordstrom Rack store from 280 Metro Center to the redeveloped Serramonte Center in Daly City, CA. The approximately 40,000 sq. ft. store is scheduled to open in fall 2017.
Nordstrom Inc. has opened a new, relocated 138,000 sq. ft. store at Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance, CA on October 5. The store was previously located at South Bay Galleria.
Recreational Equipment Inc. has announced plans to open a new 24,500 sq ft. REI store in Fort Worth, TX, in the spring of 2016, and a flagship location at the historic Uline building in Washington, DC, is planned to open in fall 2016.
Ross Stores Inc. recently announced the opening of 19 Ross Dress for Less and seven DD’s Discounts stores across 14 different states in September and October. These new locations complete the company’s 2015 expansion plans to add a total of 90 stores during the year.
Saks Fifth Avenue plans to open a 21,000 sq. ft. store devoted to jewelry and contemporary women’s ready-to-wear in Greenwich, CT at 200 Greenwich Ave. Saks has yet to announce an opening date.
Saks Fifth Avenue is relocating its store at Bal Harbour Shops in Miami. The existing location is 142,277 sq. ft. The new location will be three levels and 180,000 sq. ft., and is scheduled to open in fall 2019 as an anchor to the new wing.
Uniqlo announced it will open its first flagship Colorado store at Denver Pavilions on the 16th Street Mall in the heart of the city’s downtown area. The store is slated to open in fall 2016.
Zumiez will be opening a 2,698-sq.-ft. store in Hawaii. The new store will be located at Ka Makana Alii in West Oahu with the grand opening slated for 2016.
