Footwear

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. — The Wet Seal has named four new members to its board of directors and Lynda Davey as chairman of the board.

The new members, who joined effective Oct. 4, include: Dorrit Bern, Lynda Davey, Mindy Meads and John Mills.

TOPEKA, Kan. — Payless Holdings has named Paul Jones as CEO. Jones was most recently chairman, president and CEO of Shopko Stores, a $2.7 billion mass merchandiser providing quality products and health services at great values in small to mid-sized markets. Jones will be based in Topeka and will join the company in an official capacity on Oct. 22.
 

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap Inc. is expanding its e-commerce service to Japan. Japaese customers can now shop Gap and Banana Republic products online through its new Japanese e-commerce sites (gap.co.jp and bananarepublic.co.jp).  The sites offer Gap, GapKids, babyGap and Banana Republic products.

Topeka, Kan. -- Following earlier reports on Wednesday that Shopko CEO Paul Jones had departed the company to pursue another opportunity, Payless Holdings has announced that Jones has stepped in as chief executive for the shoe chain.

Jones, whose appointment is effective Oct. 22 and whose retail history includes executive positions with Sears and Kohl’s, will be based in Topeka.

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. announced Wednesday that customers in Japan can now shop Gap and Banana Republic products online through its new Japanese e-commerce sites (gap.co.jp and bananarepublic.co.jp). The sites offer Gap, GapKids, babyGap and Banana Republic products.

Burlington, Mass. -- KeyPoint Partners said Tuesday it has negotiated a lease with Sun & Ski Sports to occupy a 14,393-sq.-ft. space at 406 Washington Street in Woburn, Mass.

The store will be situated on the upper level of the building which houses Hogan Tire & Auto Service Center.

According to Sun & Ski parent Retail Concepts, a November 2012 opening is planned for this newest store, which is the chain’s thirtieth.

Rockford, Mich. -- Wolverine Worldwide said Tuesday it will complete its previously announced acquisition of Collective Brands' Performance + Lifestyle Group, which consists of the Sperry Top-Sider, Saucony, Stride Rite and Keds brands, for $1.24 billion.

The banners will become Wolverine’s largest operating group, adding more than $1 billion in revenue to Wolverine’s existing stable of brands such as Merrell and Hush Puppies.

Li Ning, one of China’s largest marketers of sports apparel, footwear and equipment, has opened a flagship in Beijing with a bold design that  uses the theme of motion to attract and engage shoppers. A strong angular grid pattern is present throughout the store—in the ceilings, lighting and floor pattern — that creates an impression of non-stop movement. The theme is most visible on the sweeping lines of the four-story façade, which features a massive banner with changeable imagery.

Denver -- Regional chain The Running Specialty Group announced Wednesday it has acquired five Dallas-based Run On! stores, bring the total number of stores to 24.

RSG is a joint venture between The Finish Line and private-equity firm Gart Capital Partners.

Plans call for RSG to begin expanding in Texas and surrounding areas over the next five years.