DATATRAC
Personnel Updates
• Alex and Ani, LLC has promoted Cindy DiPietrantonio to President of the company.
• Altar’d State announced Kelly Walker has been appointed VP, Merchandise Planning. In addition, John Buell has joined the company as Senior VP, CFO. Mr. Buell was previously Interim CEO at Limited Stores, LLC.
• Gap Inc. announced Teri List-Stoll will become the company’s new CFO in January.
• Gordmans Stores Inc. named Ramin Mozafari as Senior VP of Planning and Allocation. Mr. Mozafari joins Gordmans from Kohl’s Corporation, where he most recently was Senior VP, DMM for Accessories.
• Land’s End Inc. has named Jerome Griffith to be its next CEO, effective March 6, 2017.
• Limited Stores, LLC announced it could layoff up to all 248 employees at its home office and close that facility.
• The Neiman Marcus Group will be searching for a new CFO after Donald T. Grimes left the company.
• Sears Holdings Corporation announced Jeffrey Balagna, Exec VP, has left the company. The retailer also announced Joelle Maher, President and Chief Member Officer, has left the company as well.
• Tailored Brands, Inc. announced the appointment of Jack Calandra as Exec VP, CFO and Treasurer. Mr. Calandra was previously with Gap Inc.
Financial Focus
• The J. Jill Group Inc. is moving forward with plans for an initial public offering.
Mergers and Acquisitions
• Caleres announced it has acquired Allen-Edmonds Shoe Corp.
Industry Insight
• Fossil Group, Inc. announced it will close some stores, but did not say how many, as part of a multi-year business overhaul that also includes a focus on fewer products.
• J. Crew Group Inc. may separate its Madewell brand from the company.
• Rebecca Minkoff debuted a self-checkout system at its Manhattan flagship. A security tag is attached to all merchandise, and when an item is put on a checkout table, it appears on an iPad screen, allowing the customer to pay. Once the item has been paid for, the customer places the tag on an unlocking device another table, which automatically unlocks the tag from the merchandise.
• Rent the Runway announced it will be partnering with The Neiman Marcus Group, and will open inside Neiman Marcus’ downtown San Francisco, CA location, spanning more than 3,000 sq. ft. of space.
• Sears Canada Inc. announced it will venture into the grocery business. The retailer has signed a partnership with two specialty supermarket operators to run food markets at some of its revamped locations.
Real Estate
• Adidas America unveiled its newest flagship in New York City. The 45,000 sq. ft. store is the retailer’s largest store in the world. The services offered include fitness consultations, an area selling healthy juices and snacks, a concierge desk, a same-day hotel delivery service, and on-site jersey and footwear customization.
• American Apparel Inc. is seeking court approval to close nine poor-performing stores by the end of December.
• American Eagle Outfitters Inc. announced Todd Snyder has launched its New York City flagship on Manhattan’s Madison Square Park North. This is the first location for the brand.
• Chanel USA has introduced its first new shoes-only concept at the Ala Moana Center location in Honolulu, HI. The company also overhauled a location at the Mall at Short Hills, NJ, where it more than doubled its previous size.
• Kenneth Cole Productions announced it is closing all its stores in outlet centers within the next six months. The company will be left with two full priced locations and will continue to sell its merchandise in department stores as well.
• Macy’s Inc. has announced plans to redevelop 50 locations over the next two years. The retailer also revealed that it will be selling its Union Square men’s store in San Francisco, CA, as well as its downtown Portland, OR, location.
