Accessories

New York -- Italian eyewear maker Luxottica Group SpA has entered into an agreement to design, develop and distribute glasses based on Google's Internet-connected Glass eyewear.

Luxottica said that its two major brands, Ray-Ban and Oakley, would be part of the deal. No financial terms were discussed.

Virginia Beach, Va. — The Virginia Beach office of Divaris Real Estate has finalized leases for five retail spaces throughout Hampton Roads, Va.

 SunTrust Bank has signed a lease extension for 3,000 sq. ft. in Willow Oaks Village Square Shopping Center in Hampton, Va. Divaris handled lease negotiations on behalf of the landlord, Willow Oaks Associates.

Jessica Simpson’s plus-size swimwear line is now available at Swimsuitsforall, a leading online retailer for women's swimwear.

The collection features tankinis, swimdresses and plus-size bikinis, including high-waisted bottoms paired with bandeau/halter bikini tops.

Recently, Swimsuitsforall debuted their Designer Boutique swimwear collection, featuring MICHAEL Michael Kors, Anne Cole, Becca ETC, Kenneth Cole Reaction, La Blanca, Carmen Marc Valvo, Badgley Mischka and Jessica Simpson.

 

New York -- Plus-sized retailer Ashley Stewart has filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. As part of its restructuring plan, the company announced it will immediately close 27 underperforming locations. Ashley Stewart currently operates some 168 stores. The company previously filed Chapter 11 in 2010.

In a separate statement, the company said potential buyers have expressed interest in buying the chain.

New York -- Swatch Group SA is suing Target Corp. for illegally selling watches that copy Swatch watches.

Swatch, in a lawsuit made public on Monday, accused the retailer of infringing its designs for "multi-colored" and "zebra watches." The watchmaker said the quality of the Target watches is inferior compared to its own and that their sale is likely to confuse consumers and hurt Swatch's sales.

White House | Black Market creates a welcoming ambience at its store in Yorkdale Centre, Toronto, the company’s first location outside the United States. The 3,063-sq.-ft. space has the look and feel of an intimate boutique.

Nashville, Tenn. — Pottery Barn has leased 12,684 sq. ft. in Hill Center Green Hills, a 220,000-sq.-ft. mixed-use open-air lifestyle center in Nashville, Tenn. The lease is with Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn’s parent company.

Owner and developer H.G. Hill Realty Co. www.hghill.com, plans to begin redeveloping Hill Center Green Hills early in 2015. Pottery Bar expects to begin its build-out in the fall of 2015.

San Francisco – Gap Inc. had a disappointing February 2014 as net sales and same-store sales declined, compared to the same month in the prior year. Net sales fell 4% to $929 million from $966 million, while same-store sales dropped 7%.

New York -- L Brands Inc., parent of  Victoria's Secret, is bullish when it comes to foreign expansion. The company opened 160 international stores in 2013, for a total of 863 locations. It hopes to add more than 140 this year, according to Columbus Business First.

Victoria's Secret expects to open 100 stores in 2014, including six additional locations in the United Kingdom, the report said.

Glendale, Calif. — Throughout the spring and summer, Glendale Galleria will open nine new stores and eateries including Armani Jeans, Blaze Pizza, Brighton Collectibles, Chipotle, Coach, Earthbar, Lolli & Pops and Zumiez.

They will join La Baugette, another newcomer, which opened its Glendale Galleria location back in February.