Accessories

Los Angeles -- SPL Realty Partners announced that it has secured a retail space for footwear retailer Aerosoles in Citadel Outlets in Los Angeles.

The 2,059-sq.-ft. store is scheduled to open on May 19 in the new third phase of Citadel Outlets, the only outlet center in Los Angeles County. The space boasts almost 50 ft. of frontage and sits adjacent to Under Armour, across from adidas and converse and steps from a large parking field.

New York City -- Britain’s trendy fashion brand Superdry plans to open three stores in the United States by July.

New stores are slated to open at Valley Fair, Santa Clara, Calif., in late May; at the South Street Seaport in Manhattan in June; and at Mall of America, in Bloomington, Minn., in July.

The company, which hopes to open 10 to 12 stores a year over the next four years, would like to open additional stores in the Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago and Miami markets, according to Women’s Wear’s Daily.

YORK, Pa. — The Bon-Ton Stores and menswear designer John Bartlett unveiled on April 27 the inaugural collection from the partnership announced last fall. The collections will be available in all Bon-Ton stores in August. 

Wilkes-Barre, Pa. -- Metro Commercial announced that it has inked a new lease for Banana Republic Outlet at Arena Hub Plaza, located in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

The new, 7,380-sq.-ft. store is slated to open in fall 2011. Other tenants in the 524,000-sq.-ft. power center include Lowe’s, Best Buy and PetSmart.

Boston -- Clothing and accessories retailer Metro Park has filed for bankruptcy and is closing all 69 stores nationwide.

The store closings and liquidations begin on May 6. Gordon Bros. Group and Hilco Merchant Resources are running the going-out-of business sales for the retailer.

Based in Los Angeles, Metro Park was founded in 2000. Specializing in upscale trendy fashions, Metro Park has been feeling the heat of increased competition from such fast-fashion retailers as H&M.
 

Warrendale, Pa. -- Apparel retailer Rue21 announced the opening of its 500th etc! store, in Franklin Mills, Pa. The etc! format was introduced five years ago to highlight the company's expanded accessories category, and has since been incorporated into all new Rue21 stores and remodels.

The five categories of etc! -- footwear, fragrance/beauty, accessories, jewelry, and the area brand of intimate apparel and sleepwear -- are merchandised together in approximately 1,000 sq. ft. within Rue21 stores and have been important in driving incremental sales.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Sears announced the launch of new jewelry line from designer Zaven Ghanimian. Beginning today, the Zeghani bt Simon collection will be available for purchase at Sears stores nationwide as well as online at www.Sears.com/zeghani.

Ghanimian is the son of famed jeweler Simon G and trained at his father's jewelry business before designing his solo collection.

PASADENA, Calif. -- Disney Store has announced the launch of an exclusive collection from designer Kidada Jones. 

San Francisco -- Levi's announced that it has named Walker MacWilliam as its new global head of men's design. As VP design for the Levi's brand, MacWilliam will be responsible for the design and development of all Levi's men's product categories globally.

MacWilliam joins Levi Strauss & Co. from Coach where his responsibilities included the conceptualization, design and development for all categories of men's and women's including wearables, bags and accessories.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Corp. has added another exclusive label to its lineup with Rock & Republic Apparel. The company signed a long-term licensing agreement with R&R Apparel Co. LLC and its parent company, VF Corp.

Rock & Republic will launch in men’s and women’s apparel and footwear in spring 2012. It may expand into children’s accessories and home goods over time. Nearly half of Kohl’s sales in 2010 came from exclusive brands.