Footwear

Evansville, Ind. -- Shoe Carnival said Thursday it has named Kent Zimmerman as VP e-commerce, effective June 3.

Zimmerman, who comes to the footwear retailer from global systems integration and solutions provider Optaros, is charged with overseeing Shoe Carvinal’s e-commerce and omni-channel strategies.

“We believe Shoe Carnival has a tremendous opportunity to grow our e-commerce and overall omni-channel presence in the family footwear industry,” said Cliff Sifford, president and CEO. “

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Shoe Carnival has appointed Kent Zimmerman as VP of e-commerce. Zimmerman will oversee the company’s e-commerce and omnichannel strategies.

FREMONT — Net sales at Men's Wearhouse's flagship brand stores got off to a slow start, but clothing and tuxedo revenues picked up, allowing the company to see total net sales of $617 million for the first quarter ended May 4, an increase of 5% from $587 million for the quarter last year.  

Toronto -- Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) had an overall successful first quarter of fiscal 2013 despite some sluggish performance at its Lord & Taylor banner.

The company reported gross profit of $356 million for the quarter ended May 4, up 4% from $341 million a year earlier. Retail sales also grew 4%, from $848 million to $884 million. Consolidated same-store sales increased 4% as well.

Sycamore Partners has acquired mall- and Web-based specialty retailer Hot Topic and its Hot Topic, Torrid and Blackheart concepts for approximately $600 million.

"Hot Topic and Torrid are both leaders in their categories, and we are excited to have both brands as part of our portfolio," said Stefan Kaluzny, managing director of Sycamore Partners. "Sycamore Partners is very pleased to have the opportunity to partner with Lisa Harper and her team to invest in the continued development of both the Hot Topic and Torrid retail brands."

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Kathy Ireland has been named chief designer for Royal Footwear & Accessories, and is launching her own line of footwear with the company in spring 2015.

Key elements in the collection will include soft footbeds and flex insoles with lightweight outsoles that will incorporate traction technology throughout the footwear brand.

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. — The Wet Seal has appointed retail veteran Lesli Gilbert to the position of EVP, stores and operations. She replaces Barbara Cook, who resigned as the company's SVP of store operations in February.

Atlanta -- Jones Lang LaSalle has announced that it has closed the sale of Tifton Corners in Tifton, Ga., to Tifton Retail. JLL represented RCG Ventures in the transaction.

Anchors at the 186,629-sq.-ft. Tifton Corners include Big Lots, Save A Lot, Tractor Supply Co., Dollar Tree, Citi Trends and Hibbett Sports. The property is currently 84% leased.

JLL noted that Tifton is near I-75, a major north-south interstate, in south central Ga., two hours north of Tallahassee and three hours south of Atlanta.

Dallas -- CBRE’s National Retail Investment Group arranged the sale of Bryan Towne Center to Lamar Cos. for an undisclosed amount. The 52,268-sq.-ft. retail center serves the Bryan-College Station metropolitan area in Texas.

Shadow-anchored by an adjacent Target store, the five-year-old center includes six acres of undeveloped land that can accommodate an additional 230,225-sq.-ft. of retail space, said CBRE.

The center is 66% occupied. Key tenants include Dollar Tree, Rack Room Shoes, Maurice’s and rue21.

Sidney, Neb. -- Cabela’s Inc. continues to expand East with plans to open its stores in the states of New York and Massachusetts.

The hunting, fishing, camping and related outdoor merchandise retailer will open an 88,000-sq.-ft. store in the Buffalo suburb of Cheektowaga, N.Y., in fall 2014, and a similarly sized one in the Boston suburb of Berlin, in spring 2015. The exteriors of both locations will reflect Cabela’s signature log construction, stonework, wood siding, metal roofing and a large glass storefront.