Casual

Rochelle Park, N.J. -- A Wednesday report by Bloomberg said that United Retail Group Inc., parent to plus-size retailer The Avenue, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The retailer cited disproportionately high leasing costs for the move and also announced plans to sell the company.

According to Bloomberg, an affiliate of Philadelphia-based private equity firm Versa Capital Management will serve as the stalking-horse bidder in a court-supervised auction.

Pittsburgh -- American Eagle Outfitters said Tuesday that its debut store in Israel will open on Thursday at Ramat Aviv Mall, in Tel Aviv.

Ten additional locations are planned over the next month, in locations such as The Big Mall in Petach Tikva, Kiryat Ono Mall, and Mall of Haifa. The franchise stores will be operated by Fox-Wizel Ltd., a leading retailer and wholesaler in the region.

New York City -- The Talbots is in buyout talks with the private-equity firm Sycamore Partners, according to the Boston Herald. The retailer signed a confidentiality agreement on Friday with the New York-based Sycamore, its second largest shareholder with 10% of the company, according to documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the report said.

PLANO, Texas and NEW YORK — JCPenney announced that it has partnered with fashion designer Nanette Lepore to bring her first teen-focused line to its stores. Inspired by her teenage daughter, the line "l'amour nanette lepore" will be available exclusively at JCPenney and will debut as its own distinct shop beginning February 2013.

Dallas -- HR solution-provider PeopleAnswers and Canada-based Town Shoes, which sells under Town Shoes and The Shoe Co., announced Tuesday that Town Shoes will use the PeopleAnswers pre-employment and employee selection solution in its 124 stores across Canada.

New York City -- Prudential Douglas Elliman's Retail Group said it has arranged a long-term lease at 1225 Madison Avenue for Poulet Rose, the recently launched tween division of young girl's fashion and accessories brand Pink Chicken.  

The current lease represents the brands' first standalone store in New York City, with only one other, a Pink Chicken, located in Amagansett. 
 

New York City -- As was previously announced, American Eagle Outfitters Inc. longtime chief executive James O'Donnell will step down Saturday and be replaced by former Levi's executive Robert Hanson.

O'Donnell, 70, said early last year he planned to retire. Hanson was named as his successor in November.

In addition, Jay Schottenstein, non-executive chairman, has become executive chairman.
 

Bensalem, Pa. -- Charming Shopped announced that Bryan Q. Eshelman has been promoted to executive VP -- chief supply chain officer, effective immediately.

Eshelman joined Charming Shoppes in 2010 as senior VP -- operations, with responsibility for technology, logistics, technical design and quality assurance. He has led a number of key initiatives relating to Charming Shoppes' IT systems transformation and multi-faceted supply chain strategies.