Personnel Updates
American Eagle Outfitters Inc. has appointed Jay L. Schottenstein its CEO. He has served as interim CEO since January 2014.
Destination XL Group, Inc. announced that Nancy Youssef has been appointed to the newly created position of Senior VP, International Business Development.
Francesca’s Holdings Corp. announced that CFO Mark Vendetti has resigned from the company. Cindy Thomassee, current VP of Accounting, has been appointed to the role of Interim CFO, while the company conducts a search for a CFO.
J. Crew Group Inc. named Michael Nicholson as its COO and CFO.
Kohl’s Corporation announced it has hired Sona Chawla as its new COO.
Lululemon Athletica Inc. announced that former Nike executive Gina Warren has been named as Exec VP Culture & Talent, effective February 1, 2016.
Tory Burch laid off around 100 employees, approximately 3 percent of the company’s workforce, to invest in technology and new businesses such as Tory Sport.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Sycamore Partners has completed its acquisition of 296-unit Belk Inc.
Urban Outfitters Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire The Vetri Family group of restaurants.
Industry Insight
Cabela’s is looking to increase sales this holiday by opening seasonal stores in some military installations at Freedom Crossing at Fort Bliss, TX, Fort Hood, TX, and Fort Leonard Wood, MO.
Charming Charlie has opened the brand’s first location in the Philippines at Bonifacio High Street Central Square.
Macy’s Inc. opened four new Bluemercury in-store shops at department stores in California and Texas. They also announced that the brand will grow from 76 to 100 freestanding stores by the middle of 2016. The in-store shops will range in size from 1,000 to 1,500 square feet.
Macy’s has transformed its 266,000 sq. ft. Los Angeles flagship store expanding its women’s apparel, shoes and cosmetics areas.
Real Estate
Bass Pro Shops has opened its first store in Connecticut. The 150,000 sq. ft. store is located in Bridgeport.
David Yurman has opened its first boutique in Hawaii, located at Ala Moana Center in Honolulu.
H & M announced it will open its first location in Lower Manhattan. Measuring approximately 25,000 sq. ft., the new location will be located at Westfield World Trade Center, which is set to open in spring 2016. H&M also recently announced that it opened its 500th store in North America at Dolphin Mall in Miami, FL, on Dec. 10.
Kitson recently announced plans to close all stores. Closing sales have begun at all 17 locations throughout California, Oregon and Nevada.
Nordstrom, Inc. announced plans to open a 28,000 sq. ft. Nordstrom Rack at Fashion Outlets of Chicago in Rosemont, IL in fall 2016 and a 25,000 sq. ft. Nordstrom Rack at Winter Park Square in Winter Park, FL in spring 2017.
PGA TOUR Superstore plans to open its first store in Tucson, AZ. The 25,000 sq. ft. store will open in early 2016 at 4215 N. Oracle Rd. in the Tucson Fiesta Shopping Center.
Robert Graham announced it will open a new store at King of Prussia Mall in Pennsylvania in March 2016.
Saks Fifth Avenue will open its first Saks Off 5th store in New York City at 125 East 57th Street, in March 2016. The company announced it will open a 163,000 sq. ft. Saks Fifth Avenue store at Toronto’s Eaton Centre at Queen Street, and a 150,000 sq. ft. location at Sherway Gardens, also in Toronto, in February 2016. The retailer also announced three new locations in Canada are scheduled to open fall 2016: Toronto Premium Outlets, Halton Hills, Ontario; Rideau Street, Ottawa, Ontario; and Premium Outlets Montreal, Mirabel, Quebec City.
Sam Edelman continues to expand its West Coast retail presence, opening a new 2,896 sq. ft. store on Nov. 20 at Westfield Valley Fair Mall in Santa Clara, CA. The new location is the second in California and is the largest of all Sam Edelman stores. The lifestyle designer also opened a 2,500-sq.-ft. space on Dec. 4 at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace.
Tory Burch will open a permanent freestanding Tory Sport store in the Flatiron District of Manhattan in March.
Warby Parker has announced plans to open its first store in Philadelphia, PA, next year. The 2,360 sq. ft. store will open at 1523 Walnut St.
Technology News
Nordstrom Inc. is expanding its partnership with Shoes of Prey, a Los Angeles-based customized shoe brand that enables women to design their own footwear.
Green Initiatives
H&M is going green for its first store in Lower Manhattan. The 25,000 sq. ft. store at the Westfield World Trade Center is set to open in spring 2016. It is the first U.S. store to apply for LEED certification. H&M will be incorporating recycled content materials throughout the space, as well as using LED lighting and Energy Star-certified equipment.
