Personnel Updates

• Destination XL Group Inc. (44) announced that Harvey Kanter will take the reins as CEO.

• Hanna Andersson Inc. (29) announced that Michael J. Edwards has joined the company as President and CEO. He succeeds Joelle Maher.

• Hibbett Sports Inc. (57) announced that Jeff Rosenthal plans to retire as President and CEO once a successor is named. The retailer also said that Senior VP and CFO Scott Bowman is resigning effective April 26.

• J. Crew Group Inc. (81) has promoted Libby Wadle to be its first-ever Madewell brand CEO.

• JCPenney Company, Inc. (101) named Bill Wafford as CFO. The company also announced Steve Whaley has been named Senior VP, Principal Accounting Officer and Controller.

• The J. Jill Group Inc. (52) has appointed Mark Webb as Exec VP and CFO, effective May 1.

• Macy’s Inc. (158) announced that Dennis Mullahy has been named Chief Supply Chain Officer.

• The Neiman Marcus Group (102) announced Ken Downing, Fashion Director and Senior VP is leaving the company.

• Ross Stores Inc. (152) has announced that Michael O’Sullivan, its President and COO, has resigned.

• Tailored Brands, Inc. (141) has appointed Dinesh Lathi President & CEO and Theo Killion as Chairman.
 

Financial Focus

• Ascena Retail Group Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to sell a majority interest in Maurices. The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close by early summer.

• Nine West Holdings, Inc. has successfully completed its financial and operational restructuring following its previously announced Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. The company will be renamed Premier Brands Group Holdings.
 

Industry Insight

• DSW Inc. has announced plans to rebrand and change its name to Designer Brands Inc. as part of its new strategic priorities.

• Charlotte Russe Holding Inc. announced that it sold its namesake brand and related intellectual property to YM Inc.

• Roberto Cavalli has closed all of its North American operations, including its stores and outlets.

• Sears Holdings Corporation announced it will open three Sears Home & Life locations this May. The three stores will open in Anchorage, AK, Layette, LA, and Overland Park, KS. Each unit will span only 15,000 sq. ft. and exclusively showcase home goods including appliances, tools and mattresses.
 

Real Estate

• Canada Goose Inc. plans to open six new stores, with two in Europe, one in the United States and three in Canada. The locations, set to open in fall/winter 2019, include Canada Goose’s first-ever store in Italy.

• Destination XL Group Inc. reported that it will close its five remaining Rochester Clothing stores in fiscal 2019. The company will continue to convert its remaining Casual Male stores to Destination XL stores. It will rebrand 13 of the remaining Casual Male XL locations in 2019, with a total 60 to be converted during the next several years.

• Duluth Trading Company announced plan to open 15 new stores in fiscal 2019.

• H&M is set to open retail space in Detroit for the first time in fall 2019. The location will span 25,000 sq. ft.

• Hibbett Sports Inc. announced that it will close about 95 stores in its current fiscal year while opening 10 to 15 Hibbett and City Gear stores.

• James Avery Craftsman Inc. has launched its first airport location in Austin, TX.

• JCPenney Company, Inc. announced it is closing 27 stores in 2019.

• Levi Strauss & Co. announced that it plans to open approximately 100 company operated stores this year.

• Macy’s Inc. has announced plans to open 50 additional Macy’s Backstage shop-in-shops this year.

• Red Wing Shoe Company announced the opening of a 3,300 sq. ft. flagship store in New York City.

• Signet Jewelers Limited expects to close more than 150 locations this year.

• Tommy Hilfiger LLC closed its 22,000 sq. ft. flagship store in Manhattan. The retailer also closed its 9,000 sq. ft. store in Miami on April 21. The Manhattan and Miami stores were the only two full-price Hilfiger stores still open in North America.

• Vince Holding Corp has announced that it will soon launch its fifth Florida location at the Aventura Mall in Miami