J.Crew

By Tricia Downing, VP, FRCH Design Worldwide

New York — Faith Hop Consolo, chairman of Douglas Elliman’s Retail Group has taken her seat as a member of the 2014 board of directors of the Commercial Real Estate Women’s (CREW) Network on Oct. 9, at CREW Network’s annual Convention and Fall Council Meeting in Dallas. Her term begins January 1, 2014.

CREW Network is the largest commercial real estate association for women and represents approximately 8,200 women leaders in 74 markets throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Urbi et Orbi (The City and The World): The phrase is not just the theme of an annual speech from the Pope, but also summarizes what’s taking place in retail across North America: urbanization and globalization.  

Philadelphia -- Madewell, a J. Crew concept, has signed its first lease in Center City Philadelphia, according to broker Fameco Real Estate. The 4,000 sq.-ft. store will be located near Rittenhouse Square. Neighboring retailers include Intermixx, Burberry, Athleta and Blue Mercury. Fameco and Open Realty Advisors both represented Madewell in the transaction.

Both brokers are also representing searching for a 2,500-sq.-ft. location for J. Crew Men on Walnut Street in Philadelphia.

New York -- A Wednesday report by Women’s Wear Daily said Libby Wadle been named president of the J. Crew brand, charged with overseeing both the retail and direct businesses of J. Crew, Crewcuts and J. Crew factory outlets. She was previously EVP.

Former chief administrative officer James Scully has been promoted to COO.

Sixty percent of retailers with at least two years of negative comps turn them positive.

Here’s how. 

Two years of deep same-store sales declines can easily feel like a death sentence for most retailers. However, the data suggests it is indeed far from that. 

We analyzed all specialty retailers with sufficient public data over the last 20 years—nearly 70 retailers—and found that the majority of retailers who substantially underperformed the market ended up turning their comps positive in relatively short order. 

Chicago -- Claire’s Stores announced Tuesday that Sam’s Club EVP and chief merchandising officer Linda Hefner Filler has been named president of Claire’s North America, effective March 1.

Filler will report to CEO Jim Fielding and will be charged with implementing operational and strategic initiatives for Claire's in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

New York -- J. Crew CEO Milliard “Mickey” Drexler is the subject of a CNBC documentary that will premier Thursday, May 24 at 10 p.m., ET, with a re-air at 1 a.m., ET.