Saks Fifth Avenue

Sarasota, Fla. – Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-based Taubman Centers and Sarasota, Fla.-based Benderson Development Co. announced the ground breaking on a $315-million, 880,000-sq.-ft. shopping center in Sarasota, Fla.

The Mall at University Town Center will be a two-level enclosed mall anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue, Dillard’s and Macy’s, and featuring more than 100 specialty stores and restaurants.

The Mall at University Town Center is scheduled to open in Oct. 2014.

Bloomfield Hills, Mich. -- Taubman Centers announced it has hired Colleen O’Neill as the general manager of Taubman Prestige Outlets Chesterfield, effective Nov. 5. She will be responsible for overseeing center operations as well as retailer and community relations, marketing and sponsorship.

O’Neill was the former marketing director of Saks Fifth Avenue at Plaza Frontenac in St. Louis. The announcement of her hiring follows Taubman’s decision to move up the opening date of the high-end outlet shopping center to August 2, 2013.

NEW YORK — Saks Inc. has opened its first Saks Fifth Avenue store in Kazakhstan, in the city of Almaty.

New York -- Saks Inc. has opened its first Saks Fifth Avenue store in Kazakhstan, in the city of Almaty.

San Juan -- Taubman Centers and New Century Development announced Friday the groundbreaking on the 650,000-sq.-ft. Mall of San Juan, the island's first luxury retail development. The $405 million, two-level mall will feature the first Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom in the Caribbean.  

Of the approximately 100 stores and restaurants, it is expected that 60% will be new to the island.

Tempe, Ariz. -- Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group said that Arizona Mills will continue to expand its retail mix this October with the opening of Crazy 8.

Crazy 8, a concept from The Gymboree Corp., will be located across from J.C. Penney. Other retail offerings include Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, H&M, Forever 21, Kenneth Cole Company Store, American Eagle Outfitters, G by Guess, 2b Bebe and more.

New York -- Saks Inc. said Monday it has launched AT&T Wi-Fi at all 44 retail locations nationwide.

The AT&T Wi-Fi network connects shoppers with mobile tools such as the new Saks Fifth Avenue app, which offers features such as shareable wish lists, fashion look books, event calendars and more. AT&T customers with select Wi-Fi enabled devices will auto-authenticate to the in-store Wi-Fi service, so frequent shoppers will be automatically connected to Saks Fifth Avenue’s Wi-Fi each time they re-visit the store.

New York -- The Jones Group Inc. said Wednesday it has appointed Kathy Nedorostek to the newly created position of group president, global footwear and accessories, effective mid-October.  

In her new position, Nedorostek will oversee footwear, handbags and jewelry for Jones Group.

Nedorostek arrives at Jones Group from Coach, where she was president of North America Wholesale and Global Licensing.