Personnel Updates

• Blue Nile Inc. announced Jason Goldberger was named its new President and CEO. He will replace Harvey Kanter, who will remain on the company’s board as Chairman.

• Billabong USA announced it has named Jim Howell as CFO. He will replace Peter Myers.

• The Buckle Inc. announced that Karen B. Rhoads, Senior VP Finance and CFO, will retire later this summer.

• Duluth Holdings Inc. announced that CFO Mark DeOrio plans to retire at the end of 2017.

• Gymboree Corp. announced the appointment of Daniel Griesemer as President and CEO.

• Hanna Andersson appointed Joelle Maher as President and CEO. She will succeed Adam Stone.

• Hudson’s Bay Company announced a plan that includes cutting approximately 2,000 jobs.

• Hudson’s Bay Company named Alison Coville as President of Hudson’s Bay. Liz Rodbell, who previously served as President of Hudson’s Bay and Lord & Taylor, will continue in her role as President of Lord & Taylor.

• J. Crew Group announced Mickey Drexler, CEO, will step down in July. He will be succeeded by James Brett, and continue in his role as Chairman.

• JCPenney Company, Inc. announced Marci Grebstein has joined the company as Exec VP, Chief Marketing Officer.

• Macy’s Inc. named Yasir Anwar as its Exec VP and CTO. The company has also named Mike Robinson as Exec VP, Product Management and Customer Experience.

• The Neiman Marcus Group announced Michael Fung, Interim CFO and COO, is leaving the company at the end of June. While the company continues to look for a permanent CFO, Dale Stapleton will assume the interim CFO job. The company also announced Ginger Reeder has decided to retire.

• Ralph Lauren Corporation announced it has named Patrice Louvet as CEO.

• Sears Holdings Corp. is eliminating 400 jobs at its corporate offices, and from its support functions.

Financial Focus

• Rue 21 has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company began closing close to 400 stores last month.

Mergers and Acquisitions

• Destination Maternity Corporation has announced that it is on track to complete its merger with French children’s apparel brand Orchestra Prémaman by the third fiscal quarter of this year.

• Sports Direct, the largest sporting goods retailer in the United Kingdom, has expanded its presence in the United States. The company announced that it has completed its acquisition of Bob’s Stores and Eastern Mountain Sports.

Industry Insight

• Forever 21 Inc. has announced plans to roll out its beauty boutique concept Riley Rose to 13 stores. Ten Riley Rose outposts will open before the end of the year, while an additional three are planned for 2018.

• JCPenney Company, Inc. has announced plans to open dorm shops across 500 stores. Averaging 400 sq. ft., the shops will cater to college students and parents.

Real Estate

• Ascena Retail Group Inc. announced that it is closing between 250 and 650 stores. The locations are closing over the next two years and include Ann Taylor, Catherines, Dress Barn, Justice, Lane Bryant, Loft, and Maurices.

• David’s Bridal opened its first franchise location in Mexico City, Mexico.

• The Gymboree Corp. announced it will close more than 375 of its stores.

• Macy’s Inc. has opened its first Macy’s Backstage store in Michigan. The store-within-a-store is 21,900 sq. ft. and located in Dearborn.

• Michael Kors Holdings Limited has revealed plans to shutter 100 to 125 full-price stores over the next two years.

• Sigerson Morrison has closed its final store.

• TJX Cos. plans to open several U.S. HomeSense stores in the United States this year.

• UNTUCKit will open a 1,300-sq.-ft. store at Mall of America, in Bloomington, MNthis fall. It will be the company’s first store in Minnesota.

• Warby Parker is planning three new Texas locations before the end of 2017. The new stores will open in Fort Worth, Plano, and Houston.

Technology News

• Warby Parker announced it is further extending its self-service options with an app that lets shoppers take a vision test at home. Called Prescription Check, the mobile-based refraction service enables users to administer an exam that reviews their vision status directly through their mobile device or computer.