Footwear

Indianapolis -- The Finish Line announced that Harvey Bierman has joined the company as VP digital technology.

Bierman comes to Finish Line after seven years with Demandware, where he most recently served as senior director, global strategic solutions.

“Harvey’s appointment is an important step toward driving long-term growth for Finish Line through aggressive expansion of our digital business,” said Chris Ladd, executive VP chief digital officer for Finish Line.
 

Anaheim, Calif. -- Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. reported Wednesday a loss of $17.5 million for the second quarter, narrowed from a loss of $19.3 million in the year-ago period.

Results were boosted by a 5% sales in the quarter ended July 28 – to $210.3 million, from $200.9 million last year. Wall Street expected $203.1 million in revenue.

Same-store sales climbed 5%, which included a 7% rise in PacSun’s men’s division and a 2% rise on the women’s side.
 

LOS ANGELES — Reality TV personality, Kristin Cavallari has partnered with Chinese Laundry for a capsule footwear collection composed of pumps, platforms, booties and flats available at retail this December.

"My love for shoes is no secret.  To have been able to work with Chinese laundry as a web ambassador and now as a designer has truly been a dream come true," said Cavallari.  "It was important to me to create a collection of shoes that is not only fun and versatile, but also price friendly and comfortable."

TOPEKA, Kan. — Collective Brands stockholders voted at a special meeting on Tuesday to approve the sale of the company for about $1.32 billion.

Collective, which owns the Payless and Stride Rite shoe store banners, had announced in May that it accepted a purchase offer from a group that includes Wolverine Worldwide Inc., Blum Capital Partners and Golden Gate Capital.

Columbus, Ohio -- Express Inc. reported a 25% increase in net income for the second quarter. But the retailer slashed its profit outlook for the year and said that same-store sales barely rose last quarter and that it expects about the same for the rest of the year.

Express earned $15.8 million for the quarter ended July 28, better than analysts expected, compared with $12.6 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue increased 2% to $454.9 million, short of the $467 million analysts had expected. Same-store sales inched up 1%.

Sidney, Neb. -- Cabela’s Inc. announced today plans for two new stores, including its first-ever locations in Virginia and Delaware. Construction is expected to begin on the new locations in 2013, with the stores expected to open in 2014.

Cabela’s said it will build an 85,000-sq.-ft. store in The Falls, a new retail development in Bristol, Va., that will accommodate about 1.5 million sq. ft. of retail space.

In Delaware, the company will open a 100,000-sq.-ft. store adjacent to Christiana Mall, in Christiana. 

NEW YORK — Nine West has launched a new YouTube network called Channel 9 that will feature premium programming and user-generated content.

New York -- Casual Male is shifting its focus to its Destination XL (DXL) format. By the end of 2015, the company expects to have closed all 400 Casual Male stores and have 225 to 250 DXL units, according to Women’s Wear Daily.

The DXL stores feature a wide array of merchandise, including both private label and name brands, and price points that range from the lower-end to the more upscale. By the end of 2012, the company expects to have 51 DXL stores in operation, the report said.

Topeka, Kan. -- Collective Brands stockholders voted at a special meeting on Tuesday to approve the sale of the company for about $1.32 billion.

Collective, which owns the Payless and Stride Rite shoe store banners, had announced in May that it accepted a purchase offer from a group that includes Wolverine Worldwide Inc., Blum Capital Partners and Golden Gate Capital.

New York -- Reebok has opened its first Reebok Fit Hub in the United States, on Fifth Avenue at 37th Street in Manhattan.

The 2,500-sq.-ft. store is located on the top of a Reebok CrossFit Box gym, which is on the street level. It sells a wide range of fitness apparel and footwear for men and women. Customers can also get fitness advice from in-store experts.

Designed by Reebok’s global environmental design division and Ziba, Portland, Ore., Fit Hut has a raw, industrial look, with an exposed ceiling.