Casual

Brisbane, Calif. – Bebe Stores Inc. has named Jim Wiggett, who has been serving as interim CEO since June 2014, as permanent CEO and member of the board of directors. Wiggett is a 40-year retail and business veteran.  

A sharper focus on merchandising and marketing netted positive results for Gymboree, as the company reported an increase in same store sales for the third quarter.

But the company did report a steep loss of $522.1 million, compared with a loss of $24 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2013. Same store sales increased 1%. Net sales were $316.8 million, compared with $309.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013.

Kearney, Neb. – The Buckle Inc. has made a number of reappointments to its executive staff. Kelli D. Molczyk has been appointed to the position of VP of women’s merchandising, Diane L. Applegate has been appointed to the position of VP of supply chain and merchandising operations, and Thomas B. Heacock has been appointed to the position of VP of finance, treasurer, and corporate controller and has been appointed as a member of the company’s executive committee.   

New York - In an abrupt move, Michael Jefferies, the longtime and often controversial chief of Abercrombie & Fitch, has retired as CEO and stepped down from the company’s board, effective immediately. His retirement caught the industry by surprise, particularly since it comes in the middle of the crucial holiday selling season.    

Plenty of retailers talk about returning cash to shareholders, but none does so as aggressively as The Buckle which just announced a whopper of a special dividend.

The Kearney, Neb.-based operator of 463 stores said it would pay a $2.77 special dividend in addition to its regular quarterly dividend of 23 cents on Jan. 27 to shareholders of record on Jan. 15. It is the seventh consecutive year the debt-free specialty retailer of young men’s and women’s apparel has paid a special dividend on top of its quarterly payout.

New York — Swedish fashion giant H&M’s higher-end brand COS will make its New York debut on Friday, in the SoHo section of Manhattan. It’s the brand’s second U.S. store—the first, in Los Angles, opened in October. 
  COS,  known for its clean lines and minimalist look, targets a more sophisticated customer than the more value-priced H&M.  The SoHo store has a upmarket feel and gallery-like look, enhanced by the use of glass and white-washed wood.
 

Teen retailer Delia’s Inc. plans to liquidate operations and file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection "in the very near term."

The company has struggled with weak sales for years and has not reported an annual profit since 2007.

Several teen apparel retailers have been losing market share to fast-fashion brands such as H&M, Forever 21 and Zara.

Anaheim, Calif. – Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. reported a $469,000 net loss in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to net earnings of $17.7 million the same period the prior year. The loss, which included a charge stemming from a $60 million term loan with Golden Gate Capital, was smaller than expected by Wall Street and driven by one-time charges.   Net sales were $212.3 million, up 4.4% from $202.8 million.    Same-store sales rose 4%.   

New York City - Brixmor Property Group announced the hiring of Chardell Steves and Jerry Teitelbaum as VPs of Strategic Leasing for the West and North regions, respectively. Both seasoned mall leasing professionals, Steves joins Brixmor from General Growth Properties and Teitelbaum joins from Taubman Centers.

New York - Lululemon on Thursday will open  a 5,766-sq.-ft. flagship at Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, Calif..  The visual centerpiece of the store is an intricately-laid domed mosaic ceiling—in a vibrant blue hue—that reads, "Breath deep & appreciate the moment."   The storefront boasts a colorful, two-story, illuminated glass corner.