Retail

New York -- Saks Fifth Avenue announced Monday that John Cruz has been named SVP and director of the New York City flagship store, effective April 29.

Cruz currently serves as VP and general manager of the company’s Beverly Hills store. He has worked at the NYC store before – as general manager 2005-2007 and VP and GM 2007-2010.

Cruz replaces Suzanne Stemper-Johnson, who is leaving Saks to pursue other interests.

Paducah, Ky. -- Youngstown, Ohio-based Cafaro Co. said that a new restaurant and two new stores will open at its Kentucky Oaks Mall property, located in Paducah, Ky.

Los Burritos Locos will open a 2,400-sq.-ft. restaurant on April 1 near the mall’s main entrance. Yankee Candle will open a 1,200-sq.-ft. store between Gymboree and Victoria’s Secret in June, and Shoe Carnival will occupy more than 16,300 sq. ft. next to David’s Bridal.

New York -- New York & Company reported net income for the fourth quarter of $10.5 million, compared with a net loss in the prior year fourth quarter of $10.9 million.

Net sales for the quarter were $291.8 million, up from $271.8 million in the year-ago period. Same-store sales increased 2.3%.

New York -- J.Crew Group Inc. expects to open 46 stores in 2013, company officials said during its quarterly conference call.
 
The specialty retailer will open 17 Madewell stores, 13 factory outlet units and 16 namesake locations, including its first-ever store in Europe, in London.
  
For the fourth quarter, J.Crew’s earnings were up 18% to $70.4 million. Same-store sales rose 11%.

By Kris Bjorson, [email protected]

Bossier City, La. -- Covington, La.-based Stirling Properties said that it has been retained to provide comprehensive property and construction management and office leasing services for Louisiana Boardwalk, a 562,250-sq.-ft. retail/mixed-use development on the waterfront of Bossier City, La.

Garrison Investment Group of New York City recently acquired Louisiana Boardwalk and will re-launch the retail center as The Outlets at Louisiana Boardwalk.

Huntsville, Ala. -- Birmingham, Ala.-based Bayer Properties said it has been engaged by Institutional Mall Investors to oversee management of Bridge Street Town Centre, a mixed-use outdoor fashion center in Huntsville, Ala. IMI’s assets now represent 2 million sq. ft. of Bayer’s 12 million-sq.-ft. owned and managed portfolio.

Bossier City, La. -- Garrison Investment Group of New York City announced it has acquired Louisiana Boardwalk, a 562,520-sq.-ft. open-air, mixed-use development on the waterfront of Bossier City, La.   

Garrison has retained outlet consultant EWB Development to lease and marketing the center as an outlet destination. The converted retail center will be relaunched as The Outlets at Louisiana Boardwalk.