Accessories

FORT MEYERS, Fla. — Chico's FAS announced Tuesday that it has appointed Kent Kleeberger to the position of EVP and COO.

Kleeberger will replace Jeffrey Jones, who is retiring from the company, effective March 7. Jones will serve as part-time consultant to the company during a transition period.

Kleeberger, 58, has served as EVP finance and CFO of Chico's FAS since joining the company in November 2007. Previously, he was SVP and CFO for Dollar Tree Stores.

New York City -- Liz Claiborne narrowed its fourth-quarter loss as the company trimmed expenses. But it issued a lackluster outlook for its coming fiscal year.

The company said Thursday that it lost $30.1 million, compared with a loss of $41.7 million in the prior-year period.

Revenue dropped 7% to $703.7 million from $756.5 million, down mostly because of a transition in the licensing model under its J.C. Penney Co. and QVC deals.

Still, the results topped Wall Street's $684.6 million

New York City -- J. Crew Group said Wednesday that it did not receive any alternative takeover bids during an 85-day "go shop" period, in which the company sought alternatives to an offer from its former owner.

J. Crew agreed in November to be taken private in a $3 billion deal with two investment firms, TPG Capital and Leonard Green & Partners. It originally had until Jan. 15 to vet other prospects, and that period was extended by a month.

New York City -- Italian eyewear maker and retailer Luxottica Group SpA said Thursday it will acquire two specialty sunglass retailers in a deal worth about $23 million in a move to gain entry to the Mexican market.

Luxottica’s deal to buy Stanza and High Tech includes more than 70 stores that will eventually be rebranded as Sunglass Hut locations.

Paducah, Ky. -- Youngstown, Ohio-based Cafaro Co. announced that Charming Charlie will open a new fashion accessories store at Kentucky Oaks Mall, in Paducah, Ky.

The Houston-based retailer will open a 7,000-sq.-ft. store in late spring 2011. This will be the second Charming Charlie store in Kentucky, the first being located in the Lexington area.

New York City -- Robert K. Futterman & Associates announced it has secured a long-term, 2,725-sq. ft. lease with high-end apparel and accessories retailer Intermix in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District. 

This completes the first of three phases of leasing at the building, which is situated on the southwest corner at the intersection of Washington and Gansevoort Streets, where Intermix will have two entrances. 

Ocala, Fla. -- RMC Property Management Group announced that it has executed a new lease for a movie theater on behalf of the owner of Marion Shopping Center in Ocala, Fla.

Ocala Center 6, a six-screen theater, will occupy a 16,500-sq.-ft. space and is slated to open in May. Marion Shopping Center is anchored by Bealls Outlet and Rainbow Apparel.

NEW YORK -- Liz Claiborne said Friday that Edgar Huber, CEO of Juicy Couture, will be assuming a new position as executive VP global business development for Liz Claiborne, effective Feb. 14.

The company said Huber will continue to report to William L. McComb, CEO, Liz Claiborne.

LeAnn Nealz, president and chief creative officer, and John DeFalco, CFO and COO, will jointly manage the Juicy Couture business while the leadership structure for the brand going forward is determined, according to McComb.

Orlando, Fla. -- The Wilder Cos. and CNL Commercial Real Estate said Friday that three new retailers and a new eatery will open at Rialto, located in Orlando, Fla.

Wilder, the developer and owner of RIALTO, said iStudio Salon, The Spectacle Shop, You Nails and Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches will open this spring through early summer.

Rialto is a 350,000-sq.-ft. mixed-use project that is slated to include more than 75,000 sq. ft. of retail and restaurants, 50,000 sq. ft. of Class A office space and 200 luxury residential units.

New York City -- Dillard’s was the clear winner in the department store category in January, posting a same-store sales increase of 6%, which edged results from both Macy’s and Saks.

J.C. Penney Co. was the big disappointment, as same-store sales dropped an unexpected 1.2%. A survey of analysts by Thomson Reuters produced a consensus estimate of same-store sales up 1.8%.

The retailer said January sales were impacted by lower levels of clearance inventory as well as by adverse weather conditions.