Banana Republic, LLC

Gap Inc. is expanding its already robust franchise business with the addition of two brands.

Athleta and Banana Republic are giving holiday shoppers a more thoughtful alternative to gift cards.

The search is on for a new president of Banana Republic, which has had a hard time finding its footing amid dismal same-store sales results.     Gap Inc. said Tuesday that company veteran Andi Owen, global brand president for Banana Republic, will leave the retailer in late February. Gap CEO Art Peck will directly oversee the brand until the company finds a replacement.   

Gap Inc. has named a longtime member of its executive team to head up its Old Navy brand.

The retailer appointed Sonia Syngal as global president of Old Navy, effective immediately, as it looks to reenergize its value-driven brand. She succeeds Stefan Larsson, who left last year to become CEO of Ralph Lauren Corp.

Syngal, a 12-year Gap veteran, most recently served as executive VP of global supply chain and product operations for Gap Inc.

Little Rock, Ark. -- New England Development opened Outlets of Little Rock in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Oct. 16. The center welcomed thousands of area residents and visitors to shop at Arkansas’ only outlet center.

The newest destination for shopping in the region is home to first-to-market fashion retailers: Under Armour, Asics, Bass Factory Store, Brooks Brothers Factory Store, Cole Haan, Levi's Outlet Store, Lindt Chocolate Shop, Restoration Hardware and Skechers.

New York – Same-store sales generally showed modest growth in May 2015, on the whole meeting Wall Street analyst expectations. The apparel vertical in particular generally outperformed analyst predictions, although Gap, Banana Republic and Zumiez all reported negative same-store sales growth.

Following is a review of May same-store sales by vertical:

Apparel
Banana Republic: – 5%
The Buckle: 2.4%
Gap: – 6%
L Brands: 5%
Old Navy: 6%
Stein Mart: 1.9%

New York - BFC Partners has broken ground on Empire Outlets, a 340,000-sq.-ft. retail complex that will create more than 1,800 jobs and bring $285 million in private investment to the New York City borough of Staten Island.  

Lakewood, Colorado - Colorado Mills, the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in the state, in conjunction with the full-priced Denver West Village located on the Colorado Mills campus, is introducing a Dine and Discover program, allowing restaurant goers to Colorado Mills or Denver West Village participating eateries to claim gift cards for continued shopping at some of Colorado Mills’ retail store.  

Mashantucket, Conn. -- Foxwoods Resort Casino announced that the grand opening of the new Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods will be held on May 21, 2015.   

Outdoor equipment and apparel company Black Diamond named former Sony and Gap executive Zeena Freeman as president and eventual CEO.

The Salt Lake City-based manufacturer of outdoor performance equipment and apparel said Freeman would join the company as president, reporting to co-founder and CEO Peter Metcalf, who she will succeed in that role next June.