Footwear

Crocs has appointed Claire Fahie-Conley, former VP of U.S. retail for Reebok, as its VP of retail for North America. Fahie-Conley will report directly to Greg Sullivan, GM for the Americas.

Fahie-Conley will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the retail footprint in North America, including the entire fleet of full-price and outlet stores. She will be based out of the new Global Commercial Center in Boston, scheduled to open in late 2014.

Global fitness brand Reebok is expanding its retail footprint in New York with a new 3,070-sq.-ft. FitHub in Union Square.

Reebok first unveiled the new retail store concept at a pilot location in New York’s 5th Ave., in 2012, and has since expanded throughout the city with locations in the Upper East Side; Paramus, N.J.; and White Plains, N.Y.

Niwot, Colo. -- Claire Fahie-Conley, VP of U.S. retail for Reebok, has been appointed Crocs' VP of retail for North America. In this role, Fahie-Conley will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the retail footprint in North America, including the entire fleet of full-price and outlet stores.

New York - Households with school-aged children (pre-school through 12th grade) plan to spend more this year on back-to-school necessities with a predicted increase of 9 % for an average spend of $655, according to the 15th annual survey conducted by Brand Keys.

Average anticipated spending in all major back-to-school categories reflect higher levels from 2013:

Clothing: $348 (+16%)
Shoes (athletic & dress) $127 (+15%)
Supplies $ 89 (+13%)
Computers/Electronics/
Tablets/Smartphones: $213 (+12%)

Chicago - Regency Centers Corporation is starting construction on a new 40,000-sq.-ft.Whole Foods Market. The new store, located 25 miles from downtown Chicago in Schererville, Ind., is projected to open in the fall of 2015, joining existing tenants Homegoods, Gordmans, Ross Dress for Less, DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse and many others.

Fremont, Calif. – The Men’s Wearhouse reported same-store sales growth of 3.6% for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 as of July 19. The retailer’s second quarter ends Aug. 2.

In addition, as of July 19 same-stores sales in Men’s Wearhouse’s Jos. A. Bank division, which was purchased in June 2014, were up 2.4%. Same-store sales at the Moore’s division were up 8.3%.

Katy, Texas - Academy Sports + Outdoors will open four stores in the Orlando, Florida, area in 2015. The four stores will be located in Kissimmee, Lake Mary, Waterford Lakes and Melbourne.

Academy Sports + Outdoors plans to open four new stores next year in Kissimmee, Lake Mary, Waterford Lakes and Melbourne. Although the sports, outdoor and lifestyle retailer is no stranger to Florida — with an established presence in Jacksonville, Pensacola and Tallahassee — these four new stores are the first in the Orlando area.

In addition, Academy has entered into a multi-year agreement with the Univ. of Central Florida.

Grand Rapids. Mich. – Meijer is reportedly focusing on making its apparel, footwear and accessories assortment more appealing to fashion-conscious customers. According to the Detroit News, Meijer is taking steps including redesigning its stores, hiring outside consultants and launching a multimedia marketing campaign to improve the appeal of apparel and related categories.

The Children's Place has announced that Lou Lipschitz, a member of its board of directors and chair of the audit committee, has died.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend, colleague and trusted advisor Lou Lipschitz. Lou's financial leadership, and passion for our business, enriched our company and our board, and we will dearly miss his dedication, grace and wonderful sense of humor," Norman Matthews, The Children's Place chairman of the board, said.