Accessories

Value priced teen retailer Five Below is making a big splash in the Sunshine State this month with the opening of nine stores there as the company continues to expand across the country.

Cincinnati -- Macy’s on Monday announced two more pilot store locations in metro New York City for its new off-price format, Macy’s Backstage. The additional stores brings to six the total number of Macy’s Backstage for launch. All are expected to open in fall 2015 and average about 30,000 sq. ft.

The added locations are at Fordham Place in The Bronx, and Essex Green Shopping Center, West Orange, New Jersey, where an existing Macy’s store will be converted to Macy’s Backstage.

Framingham, Mass. -- X Team International, an international alliance of retail real estate advisors with expertise in more than 45 major markets throughout the U.S. and Canada, announced that partner, Strategic Retail Advisors (SRA), a retail real estate consulting and brokerage firm focused on tenant representation throughout the Northeast, has successfully negotiated a lease on behalf of accessories retailer Charming Charlie.
   

Jewelry and accessories retailer Charming Charlie has opened its largest store yet, a three-level, 16,000-sq.-ft. flagship on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue. Designed in partnership with Callison Architects, Seattle, the store features a two-story, 30-foot tall glass façade and 20-ft. tall double doors in the brand's signature vibrant pink lacquer.

New York - Charming Charlie has unveiled its first New York City flagship store. Situated on Fifth Avenue, the flagship is a showcase for the brand's new store concept, and was designed in partnership with Callison Architects.  

Vernon, Calif. - True Religion Apparel Inc. has named John Ermatinger CEO, effective immediately. Current CEO David Conn is stepping down.

Ermatinger has been serving as True Religion’s interim senior VP of global sourcing and production will build on the strategic initiatives that have been implemented since TowerBrook’s acquisition in July 2013 and will guide the company into its next phase of development.

Irvine, Calif.  -- Boot Barn Holdings announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Sheplers, a 116-year old western lifestyle company with 25 stores across the United States. The purchase price was put at $147 million in cash.

By rebranding the Sheplers stores to the Boot Barn banner, consistent with the strategies of its prior two acquisitions, Boot Barn will enhance its store footprint by adding eight new retail markets and build its position in Texas and Colorado.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- CBL & Associates Properties announced the opening of the redevelopment at CoolSprings Galleria in Nashville (Franklin), Tenn. Designed to significantly enhance the offerings at the shopping center, the redevelopment of the former Sears location includes adding a mix of new fashion stores and fine dining options as well as a new mall entrance to improve mall circulation.

Footwear and accessories retailer DSW Inc., successfully navigated the west coast port challenges that plagued other retailers first quarter performance to deliver strong results while furthering an endless aisle agenda.

The company said its sales for the period ended May 2, increased 9.4% to $655 million and same store sales accelerated to 5.1% when compared to a 3.7% increase during the first quarter the prior year. Net income increased 22.6% to $47.4 million while earnings per share increased 26.2% to 53 cents.

New York -- Swedish fast-fashion giant Hennes & Maurtiz AB (H&M) on Wednesday unwrapped its largest store in the world, in New York City’s Herald Square. The 63,000-sq.- store, which is located across from Macy’s, has a custom illuminated store front that wraps around 33rd Street, 34th Street and 6th Avenue. It is the retailer’s 13th store in New York City.