Personnel Updates

Chico’s FAS Inc. (334) is appointing Karen McKibbin as President of Chico’s brand, effective April 1, 2019.

David’s Bridal (70) announced CEO Scott Key and CFO Joan Hilson have stepped down from their roles at the company. Tom Lynch has been appointed interim CEO and Curt Kroll has been appointed as interim CFO.

Destination XL Group, Inc. (44) announced that it has appointed Harvey S. Kanter as the company’s new President and CEO. He will succeed David Levin.

Hudson’s Bay Company (624) announced Alison Coville has stepped down as President of Hudson’s Bay and Home Outfitters.

JCPenney Company, Inc. (102) announced Michelle Wlazlo has joined the company as Exec VP, Chief Merchant. John Welling joined the company as Senior VP, Planning & Allocation. Mark Stinde joined the company as Senior VP, Asset Protection.

The J. Jill Group Inc. (51) has appointed Elliot Staples as its new Senior VP of Design.

Sears Holdings Corp. (166) announced Eddie Lampert has resigned from his role as Chairman.

Signet Jewelers Limited (126) has named Joan M. Hilson as CFO. She succeeds Michele Santana. Jamie L. Singleton has been promoted to President Kay, Zales, and Peoples. Bill Luth has been named Exec VP, Store Operations. Kecia Caffie was promoted to Senior VP, Piercing Pagoda.

Thom Browne, Inc. (20) has appointed Matthew Foley to serve as the new Director of Communication.

Financial Focus

Charlotte Russe Holding Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Diesel U.S.A. filed for bankruptcy and plans to close some stores.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Adore Me, Inc. is acquiring Belabumbum, which specializes in ethically-sourced intimate apparel, pajamas, loungewear and activewear for expecting and new moms.

PVH Corp. announced that it will acquire Gazal Corporation Limited, an apparel supplier and retailer in Australia.

Industry Insight

Gap Inc. announced it plans to create two independent publicly traded companies: Old Navy, and a yet-to-be-named company, which will consist of the Gap brand, Athleta, Banana Republic, Intermix and Hill City. It also plans to close about 230 Gap stores during the next two years.

The Marmaxx Group has announced plans to launch a Marshalls e-commerce site later this year.

Vince Holding Corp has initiated a trial for a dedicated home goods store concept at the Malibu Country Mart near Los Angeles. Vince will also oversee the expansion of its Prince Street location in Manhattan, and the launch of new store on Ninth Street in the New York.

Real Estate

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. said it would close up to 40 stores and remodel 85 in fiscal 2019.

American Eagle Outfitters Inc. plans to open 60 to 75 Aerie stores in its current fiscal year, including 35 to 40 standalone locations, with the remaining stores being side-by-sides with American Eagle.

Celine has opened a flagship at 650 Madison Ave. in New York. The new 5,000 sq. ft. flagship replaces the former Celine store at 870 Madison Ave.

Charlotte Russe Holding Inc. announced it will close all of its stores by the end of April.

Chico’s FAS Inc. announced it plans to close 60 to 80 Chico’s stores in 2019.

The Children’s Place Retail Stores Inc. announced it will close 40 to 45 stores.

Hermes USA announced it will open a new 40,000 sq. ft. flagship store along Madison Avenue in New York City in 2022. The company also announced new store openings in Manhattan, NY, East Rutherford, NJ, and Orlando, FL.

Hudson’s Bay Company announced it plans to close up to 20 Saks Off 5^th locations. The company also announced it will close its 37 Home Outfitters stores in Canada.

JCPenney Company, Inc. said it will close 18 department stores and 9 home and furniture stores in 2019.

Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc. recently announced the upgrade of its 13,800 sq. ft. New York flagship on Madison Avenue.

Kohl’s Corporation announced a partnership with Planet Fitness with the fitness operator opening up to 10 Planet Fitness locations “adjacent” to select Kohl’s stores, with the opportunity for additional locations in the future. Planet Fitness will lease approximately 20,000 to 25,000 sq. ft. that were previously part of the Kohl’s stores.

L Brands, Inc. announced it plans to close approximately 53 underperforming Victoria’s Secret locations in North America this year.

Lands’ End Inc. is opening standalone stores. The retailer recently opened its first in Maryland, and plans to open up to 15 more in the Northeast this year.

Lorna Jane USA Inc. announced it is opening new stores in California, and soon it’s first in Utah.

Payless ShoeSource Inc. announced plans to close all of its U.S. stores and file for bankruptcy.

Stage Stores Inc. announced plans to open 38 new Gordmans stores across eight states in March. The new Gordmans locations will be in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Texas. An additional 36 Gordmans stores will open this summer.

Valentino has introduced its first standalone flagship in Canada at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto, ON. The new boutique totals more than 4,600 sq. ft.

Just because we don’t mention it here doesn’t mean it didn’t happen – or we didn’t capture it. In the past four weeks, we’ve updated more than 217 companies in the Apparel Specialty Stores and Department Stores & Shoe Retailers PLUS Databases, with many of those companies’ records updated at multiple points.