Personnel Updates
• Altar’d State (37) has named Kim Parr to the newly created position of VP Merchandising for A’Beautiful Soul.
• Blue Nile Inc. (76) has announced the appointment of Sean Kell as CEO.
• Chico’s FAS Inc. (159) announced Bonnie Brooks has been named CEO and President. Karen McKibbin, President of Chico’s brand, has resigned. Molly Langenstein was appointed President, Apparel Group.
• David’s Bridal (69) announced Bob Walker has been appointed Chief Field Operations and Store Experience Officer. Jeff Warzel was named Chief Supply Chain Officer.
• Express Inc. (83) has appointed Sara Tervo as Exec VP and Chief Marketing Officer and Malissa Akay as Exec VP and Chief Merchandising Officer.
• JCPenney Company, Inc. (65) announced that James DePaul has been named Exec VP of Stores. The retailer also announced that Stacey Shively has been appointed to Senior VP, GMM for its home division.
• L Brands, Inc. (46) announced Edward Razek is retiring from his role as Chief Marketing Officer.
• Nordstrom Inc. (154) has named Ann Munson Steines as Exec VP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. The retailer also announced Teri Bariquit as its first ever Chief Merchandising Officer.
• Old Navy (131) announced that Nancy Green will shift to a newly created role as President and Chief Creative Officer.
• Roots Canada Ltd. (27) announced that Meghan Roach has been appointed Interim CFO.
• Ross Stores Inc. (116) announced Michael Hartshorn is being named Group President and COO. Michael Kobayashi is being promoted to President, Operations and Technology. Gary Cribb is being promoted to Senior Group Exec VP, Stores and Loss Prevention. Travis Marquette is being promoted to Group Senior VP and CFO.
• Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings, Inc. (49) announced the appointment of Phil Stevens as CTO.
• Tailored Brands, Inc. (97) has appointed Mary Ann McGrath as Senior VP and Chief Marketing Officer. Sharmila Sudhakar was named VP, E-commerce. Jerry Brandehoff was named Senior VP and GMM.
Financial Focus
• A’Gaci LLC announced it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and will close all of its 54 retail stores. The majority of the closings to be completed by August 31.
• Barneys New York filed for bankruptcy protection with a plan to close most of its stores as it looks to find a buyer.
Mergers and Acquisitions
• Steve Madden Ltd. said that it has acquired Greats, a digitally native footwear brand specializing in premium sneakers made in Italy.
• Steve Madden Ltd. has acquired BB Dakota, a California-based, on-trend women’s apparel company, whose portfolio includes owned brands BB Dakota and Jack by BB Dakota and licensed brand Cupcakes and Cashmere.
• Nike Inc. announced it has acquired Celect, a Boston-based retail predictive analytics and demand-sensing firm. Celect’s team will immediately be integrated into Nike’s global operations team.
Industry Insight
• Levi Strauss & Co. announced it will open its first store is Asia, in Tokyo, Japan.
• JCPenney Co. Inc. and Macy’s Inc. announced a new partnership with thredUP, the world’s largest online consignment store.
Real Estate
• Avenue Stores, LLC is closing all of its 222 stores, which are located across 33 states.
• Dillard’s Inc. announced that it will close its stores at Oakwood Mall in Enid, OK, and Cary Village in Cary, NC, along with a clearance center at Mall of the Bluffs in Council Bluffs, NC.
• Eloquii Design Inc. has opened a store at King of Prussia shopping center in King of Prussia, PA. The 2,500 sq. ft. store is the brand’s sixth physical location.
• James Avery Craftsman Inc. has opened its second airport location at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, TX.
• L.L. Bean Inc. will soon open its first store in Canada. The retailer announced a 13,000 sq. ft. store will open August 23 in Oakville Place, just outside of Toronto.
• M.M.LaFleur has opened a 2,300 sq. ft. location at Post Oak Central in Houston, TX.
• Stage Stores Inc. plans to convert an additional 100 stores to Gordmans in 2020, bringing the total number of conversions to 250. The company has 17 planned conversions in September of 2019.
