Retail

The recent announcement from Coldwater Creek that the women’s apparel brand will seek Chapter 11 protection and plans to start liquidating its inventory didn’t exactly come as a surprise. It has been years since the company posted a quarterly profit, and industry analysts and observers have been pointing to Coldwater’s worrying inability to compete stylistically in an increasingly competitive and youth-oriented women’s fashion market.

Columbus, Ohio — First Interstate Properties has named Steiner + Associates as the exclusive retail leasing agent for its 610,000-sq.-ft. mixed-use Legacy Village in Lyndhurst, Ohio.

New York -- Sunglass Hut has debuted a new retail brand, Shaded, in the form of a freestanding, open-air kiosk. Targeted at Millenials, the format puts an emphasis on interactivity, with a built-it photo booth that allows for on-the-spot photo taking and photo sharing. (See photos here.)

Dallas – Tuesday Morning Corp. has named Melissa Phillips as executive VP and general merchandise manager, effective immediately. She brings 15 years of buying and retail experience to Tuesday Morning. Since 2009, she has served as general manager for The Home Decorators Collection (HDC) at The Home Depot.
 

Grand Forks, N.D. -- Acme Tools, an authorized online retailer of tools and equipment, is launching a new mobile version of AcmeTools.com for online customers using smartphones. Developed by BlueSky Technology Partners, the new mobile platform leverages Acme Tools' ongoing investment in IBM WebSphere Commerce to deliver a seamless online shopping experience.

Arlington, Va. — Simon Property Group has announced details of a multi-phase renovation and expansion at The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City in Arlington, Va. Anchored by Nordstrom and Macy’s, The Fashion Centre is home to more than 170 stores.

Woonsocket, R.I. - CVS/pharmacy is launching a new service called Bill Pay at CVS/pharmacy in spring 2014 to help customers manage their monthly health insurance premiums. Members of participating health plans can bring their insurance bills to any CVS/pharmacy store in the U.S. to pay their premiums at no additional cost.

Greenwich, Conn. — Newmark Grubb Knight Frank Retail Services has appointed Jessica Curtis as senior managing director in the Greenwich, Conn., office. Curtis will represent national clients in their expansion plans and work with local entrepreneurial retailers and restaurants ready to grow beyond their current locations.