Footwear

Toronto - Loblaw Companies Ltd. and its affiliates, the owners of Joe Fresh, have signed three separate partnership agreements that bring the brand into 23 new countries. The agreements cover markets in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and South Korea.

Lexington, Mass. – Vertical footwear retailer Keds is launching an omni-channel marketing campaign called the “Keds Brave Life Project.” The campaign is aimed at encouraging positive development of girls and young women.

Dublin, Calif. - Ross Dress for Less will open four new locations in the greater Chicago area on March 8, 2014. These openings bring the total number of Chicago area stores to 35 for the retailer.

Engaged Capital, an investment firm specializing in small and mid-cap North American equities and stockholder of Abercrombie & Fitch Co., has named five nominees for the Abercrombie & Fitch board of directors.

The nominees are Alexander P. Brick, former CEO of Specialty Retail Group; Robert D. Huth, former CEO of David’s Bridal; Michael W. Kramer, former COO of J.C. Penney; Diane L. Neal, former CEO of Bath & Body Works; and Glenn W. Welling, CIO and managing member of Engaged Capital.

Vertical footwear retailer Keds is launching an omnichannel marketing campaign called the “Keds Brave Life Project.” The campaign is aimed at encouraging positive development of girls and young women.

New York – The board of directors of Foot Locker Inc. has elected Steven Oakland as a director of the company. Oakland is currently president -international, foodservice, and natural foods of The J.M. Smucker Company.

Oakland has spent the bulk of his career at The J.M. Smucker Company, serving in increasingly senior positions. He has extensive experience in domestic and international retail operations at the company, having also served as president of U.S. Retail for Smucker's, Jif, and Hungry Jack.

Foot Locker has elected Steven Oakland, president of international, foodservice and natural foods at the J.M. Smucker Company, as a director of the company.

Oakland has spent the bulk of his career at J.M. Smucker serving in increasingly senior positions. He has experience in domestic and international retail operations at the company, having also served as president of U.S. retail for Smucker's, Jif and Hungry Jack, and as GM of its Canadian operations.

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.

Sidney, Neb. — Cabela’s Inc. plans to enter three new markets in 2015 and 2016. The retailer will open new stores in Ammon, Idaho; Short Pump, Va.; and Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.

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.