Accessories

The minimalist Japanese lifestyle brand Muji has opened its largest U.S. location yet, a two-level, 12,000-sq.-ft. flagship on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. It’s the company’s fifth location in the Big Apple.

The store, designated as Muji’s U.S. flagship, includes such extras as an embroidering station where customers can have their items customized, choosing from more than 100 designs, and an Aroma Lab, where shoppers can create custom scents choosing from some 48 essential oils.

Strong same-store sales in the third quarter did not keep Genesco Inc. from lowering its guidance, as the company takes steps to reduce inventory through promotions and discounts.

The specialty retailer of hats and accessories said that for the third quarter ended Oct. 31, same-store sales increased 7%. Income was $32.9 million, or $1.43 per diluted share, compared to earnings from continuing operations of $28.8 million, or $1.21 per diluted share, for the prior year quarter. Revenue was $774 million from $723 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015.

San Juan, Puerto Rico -- Taubman announced eight new shopping and dining options will debut at The Mall of San Juan located in San Juan, Puerto Rico, before the end of 2015, seven of which are exclusive to the market. Additional more than 20 stores and restaurants are scheduled to open in 2016.

“We’re bringing a taste of New York, Tuscany and Florence to the island with the addition of three new dining experiences,” said Marnie Marquina, marketing and sponsorship director for The Mall of San Juan.

Sam Edelman continues to expand its West Coast retail presence.

The footwear brand turned lifestyle retailer opened a 2,896- sq.-ft. store Westfield Valley Fair Mall in Santa Clara, Calif. The new location is the second in California, and the largest of all Sam Edelman stores, including those planned to open in the next year.

Designed by Dagnell Folger of Architecture + Information, the store stays true to the Sam Edelman aesthetic with a mix of materials that includes reclaimed wood and raw concrete with rose-colored brass and black leather.

Saks Fifth Avenue is pulling out all the stops to make its two upcoming stores in Canada true destinations whose attractions extend beyond buying the latest fashions.

The company will open a163,000-sq.-ft. store at Toronto’s Eaton Centre at Queen Street on February 18, 2016, and a 150,000-sq.-ft. location at Sherway Gardens, also in Toronto, on February 25, 2016.

The influx of new retail into New York City, from brands both familiar and ones new to our shores, continued unabated in 2015. Everyone has their favorites. Here are mine:

Flying Tiger

Home goods and Sephora helped J.C. Penney turn a page on the ongoing story of its story of transformation by exceeding top-line growth expectations in the third quarter.

For its third quarter ended Oct. 31, the company cut its loss by 27% to $137 million, or 45 cents a share. It reported net sales of $2.90 billion, compared to $2.76 billion in the year-ago period. Same-store sales increased 6.4%.

Germantown, Tenn. -- Trademark Property Co. announced Lily Rain will open a 1,600 sq. ft. store at Saddle Creek, in Germantown, Tennessee. The store will be Lily Rain’s first Tennessee location and will open in spring 2016 next to Michael Kors.

American Eagle Outfitters has entered into an acquisition that could eventually see it open hundreds of new stores, and also enter a more upscale market. The teen apparel retailer has acquired upscale menswear brand Todd Synder, along with Snyder’s Tailgate Clothing Co., a vintage sports-inspired brand that operates a college-town store concept. American Eagle sees the potential to open as many as 200 Tailgate stores at universities nationwide, starting with Southeastern Conference and Big Ten colleges, according to the New York Times.

Genesco is expanding its reach geographically and generationally with its latest acquisition.

The company has entered into an agreement with the Aldo Group Inc. to acquire the 37-store Little Burgundy retail footwear chain in Canada.