Casual

Syracuse, N.Y. — Junior fashion retailer, Lexy, has expanded into a new 3,098-sq.-ft. store at Moreno Valley Mall in Moreno Valley, Calif. The new store opened on Feb. 14.

Managed by Spinoso Real Estate Group, the center is home to 130 stores and restaurants including a number of new arrivals. Crunch Fitness recently moved into a 20,000-sq.-ft space. Junior fashion retailer, Image, opened in December 2013.

Hampstead, Md. — Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc. is buying the parent company of Eddie Bauer in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $825 million. The deal is the latest chapter in Jos A. Bank’s ongoing takeover battle with Men’s Wearhouse. Last fall, Jos. B. Bank tried and failed to buy rival Men’s Wearhouse for $2.3 billion. Men’s Wearhouse then began pursuing Jos. A. Bank.

Kearney, Neb. — The Buckle, Inc. has named Kari G. Smith to the newly created position of executive VP of stores effective immediately. In her new role, Smith will continue to provide leadership related to all aspects of the in-store shopping experience for Buckle’s customers; including the education and development of Buckle’s sales team.

The Buckle has promoted Kari G. Smith to the newly created position of EVP of stores. In her new role, Smith will continue to provide leadership related to all aspects of the in-store shopping experience, including the education and development of the company’s sales team.

New York — Crunch Fitness has opened a 20,000-sq.-ft. location at the Moreno Valley Mall in Moreno Valley, Calif. Crunch Fitness’s neighbors include Harkins Theatres, Round 1, Victoria’s Secret, Zales, Aeropostale, Express, Footlocker, Forever 21, Hollister, The Children’s Place and New York & Co.

Macy’s, J.C. Penney and Sears anchor the center.

New York – Aeropostale Inc. is reportedly considering trying to raise private equity capital. According to Reuters, four anonymous sources said Aeropostale is working with the investment bank Barclays plc to consider options including private equity capital as well as a sale of the company.

To launch a new big and tall menswear line Macy’s drafted the biggest and tallest person it could find — Shaquille O’Neal.

West Bloomfield, Mich. -- Mid-America Real Estate — Michigan has announced two new leases. DXL Men’s Apparel has taken a 10,514-sq.-ft. store on Miller Road in Flint, Mich. Mid-America represented DXL in the transaction

Jersey Mike’s has leased a 1,400-sq.-ft. location in the Canton Corners Shopping Center in Canton, Mich. Mid-America represented the landlord, Canton Corners Co., in the negotiations.

New York – The Jones Group Inc. reported mixed results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2013, with net loss and net sales falling in both periods compared to the same periods a year earlier. Net loss fell to $47.1 million from $80.1 million during the fourth quarter, and to $19.7 million from $55 million during the full year.

However, net sales declined 8.5% to $876.5 million from $958.3 million during the quarter, and fractionally to $3.72 billion from $3.75 billion during the full year.

New York – Ann Inc., parent company of Ann Taylor and The Loft, expects net sales and same-store sales to increase for the fourth quarter and full year fiscal 2013, on a year-over-year basis. For the full year, Ann Inc. issued guidance for total net sales of $2.49 billion, reflecting a total net sales increase of 5% and a same-store sales increase of 2%.