Personnel Updates
• Caleres has named Karlyn Mattson as Chief Merchandising Officer Famous Footwear, and Chris Cavalline as Senior VP, E-commerce.
• Crocs Inc. announced Gregg Ribatt will step down as CEO on June 1 and Andrew Rees will take on the dual title of President and CEO.
• Lands’ End Inc. has named Jerome Griffith as CEO of the company. He succeeds Joseph Boitano and James Gooch, who served as co-interim CEOs.
• Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. announced its CEO, Gary Schoenfeld, has left the company.
• Ralph Lauren Corporation named Jonathan Bottomley to the newly created position of chief marketing officer, effective April 3. In addition, Tom Mendenhall has been named Brand President, Men’s.
Financial Focus
• BCBG Max Azria Group North America announced that it is filing for Chapter 11 of bankruptcy protection.
• Gander Mountain is said to be preparing to file for bankruptcy.
• Gordmans Stores Inc. announced it is preparing to file for bankruptcy.
• The J. Jill Group Inc. has launched an initial public offering.
Mergers and Acquisitions
• Walmart Stores Inc. announced it has acquired Moosejaw Mountaineering, an outdoor retailer that operates 10 locations.
Industry Insight
• Charming Charlie Inc. has launched its first location in Bahrain.
• DSW Inc. has announced a partnership with accessories and fashion brand TREND:BAR. The partnership will promote TREND:BAR’s customization offerings for shoe shoppers in select stores and online.
• FGL Sports Ltd. debuted its first women’s-only concept store in Calgary, AB. The 16,000 sq. ft. store is called Sport Chek Women and offers personalized services, including a private area for bra fitting and a section where customers can get help selecting the correct running shoe.
• JCPenney Company, Inc. announced it will soon be offering bathroom remodeling and smart home technology services in select stores.
• Lucy Activewear Inc. has announced plans to shutter all of its 44 stores by early 2018 and merge with fellow brand The North Face.
• Nasty Gal Inc., which was acquired out of bankruptcy in early February by British online fashion group Boohoo.com, recently closed its two brick-and-mortar stores but will live on under new leadership.
• Quiksilver has changed its name to Boardriders, a name designed to reflect the company’s portfolio of action sports brands. In addition to the name change, the company will open its first Boardriders store in the Americas region in fall 2017, in Malibu, CA.
• Saks Inc. announced it will open stores in India, through a franchisee, later this year or early next year.
Real Estate
• American Eagle Outfitters Inc. expects to open 50 new Aerie stores over the next year.
• Crocs Inc. announced it will close about 160 retail stores by the end of 2018.
• Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. opened a Dick’s Sporting Goods and Field & Stream store in Cedar Park, TX. The new 90,000 sq. ft. combination location is the eleventh of its kind in the country.
• JCPenney Company, Inc. announced plans to close 130 to 140 stores, with most of the locations expected to close over the next few months. In addition, the retailer will close a distribution center located in Lakeland, FL and a supply chain facility in Buena Park, CA.
• MC Sports is closing all of its 66 stores.
• Nordstrom Inc. announced it will open an approximately 46,500 sq. ft. Nordstrom Rack store in Manhattan, NY, in fall 2017. In other news, the retailer will open its first Nordstrom Rack location in Baltimore, MD, with an approximately 32,500 sq. ft. store scheduled to open in spring 2019.
• Payless ShoeSource Inc. announced a restructuring plan that includes closing about 1,000 stores.
• Saks Incorporated announced plans to open a Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th location at CF Markville in Markham, ON. The 27,000 sq. ft. store is scheduled to open in 2018. In addition, the company plans to open a store at CF Market Mall in Calgary, AB. The 26,600 sq. ft. store is scheduled to open in 2018.
• Stein Mart Inc. announced it will open five new stores this spring, and six in the fall. In addition, the company is relocating one store from Morrisville, NC, to a new location at Parkside Town Commons in Cary on March 30. It also is planning to close five under-performing stores during 2017.
• Vanity Shop of Grand Forks Inc. has announced that it will shut down all 137 of its Vanity stores.
