Nike, Inc.

Los Angeles -- Guess Inc. has appointed Chet Kuchinad as chief people officer and Amber Tarshis as senior VP marketing.

Kuchinad joined Guess on Feb. 1. His experience also includes senior executive roles at Nike and Starbucks Coffee Co.

Tarshis joined the company on Feb. 13. She most recently served as chief marketing officer for The Hub TV Network, a joint venture between Discovery Communications and Hasbro.
 

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap Inc. has named Jill Stanton to the newly-created role as creative advisor for Old Navy and Liz Meltzer as SVP Gap international merchandising.

“Boosting our already-strong creative talent is a key focus in 2012,” said Glenn Murphy, chairman and CEO of Gap Inc. “On the heels of Tracy Gardner coming back to Gap, we are thrilled that Jill Stanton will bring her talent and proven business experience as creative advisor to Old Navy to help us deliver consistently great product.”

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. has named Jill Stanton to the newly-created role as creative advisor for Old Navy, and Liz Meltzer as senior VP of Gap International Merchandising.

Stanton will work with the Old Navy design and merchandising teams to provide a fresh perspective and insights to the brand. Her career spans more than 25 years in apparel retail, starting with global retailers Next and Marks and Spencer. She also has more than a decade of experience with Nike, ultimately serving as VP global apparel.

Vacated shells of circa-1985 outlet shopping centers still dot the nation’s highways, but that’s not the format version that is finding a foothold among consumers and retailers.

A new value-oriented center, anchored by top-tier designer names, has opened the eyes and pocketbooks of American shoppers. Mainstream amenities have created the expectation that, while the goods may be discounted, the experience most definitely isn’t.

LEXINGTON, Mass. — Collective Brands Performance and Lifestyle Group has announced the appointment of Rick Blackshaw as president of the Keds brand. Blackshaw has extensive footwear experience with brands including Converse, Timberland, and the former division of Reebok, Avia, and most recently served as VP and general manager for the Chuck Taylor All Star Division of Converse Inc. He will start in his new role Jan. 24 and succeeds Kristin Kohler Burrows who recently departed the position to pursue career opportunities closer to her home in New York. 

Woodstock, Ga. -- Chattanooga, Tenn.-based CBL & Associates Properties and Norton Shores, Mich.-based Horizon Group Properties announced a 75/25 joint venture to develop The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta in Atlanta (Woodstock), Ga.

Looking for a hit list of the hottest new stores outside of the United States? Check out of some of the contenders below. The information comes from the London-based retail consultancy echochamber.com.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group announced that, in 50/50 partnership with Genting Berhad, it has opened Johor Premium Outlets, its first Premium Outlet Center in Southeast Asia.

The center encompasses 173,000 sq. ft. of GLA featuring 80 stores and is strategically located in Johor Bahur, Malaysia. A grand opening celebration will take place on December 11.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group announced that, in 50/50 partnership with Genting Berhad, it has opened Johor Premium Outlets, its first Premium Outlet Center in Southeast Asia.

The center encompasses 173,000 sq. ft. of gross leasable area featuring 80 stores and is located in Johor Bahur, Malaysia. A grand opening celebration will take place on December 11, 2011.

Birmingham, Mich. -- Sachse Construction has been awarded two Nike store projects, in Louisville, Ky., and Des Moines, Iowa. Both projects expect to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification.

The Nike Factory Store in Louisville is a 14,971-sq.-ft. remodel. The project took roughly 16 weeks to complete and was finished in mid-October.

The Des Moines Nike store is a 14,000-sq-ft. remodel. The project will take about 14 weeks and will be finished near the end of November.