Footwear

Footwear and accessories company Aldo puts its best foot forward at its new concept store in IFC Mall, Hong Kong. The format complements the luxurious aesthetic of the center while maintaining the chain’s roots with its fashion-forward and youthful ambience. 

Suffern, N.Y. -- Ascena Retail Group Inc. announced it has successfully completed its tender offer for Charming Shoppes Inc.'s outstanding shares.

Ascena announced in May it that was buying Charming Shoppes, whose banners include Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug,  and Catherines Plus Sizes, for about $890 million.

Charming Shoppes will become an Ascena subsidiary and will stop trading on the Nasdaq and Chicago Stock Exchange once the transaction is complete. Ascena’s retail subsidiaries include Dressbarn, Maurices and Justice.

New York -- J.Crew Group is expanding into Asia through a partnership with Hong Kong- based specialty store operator Lane Crawford.

Beginning in October, a curated selection of the J.Crew autumn/winter 2012 women's ready-to-wear and shoes, men's apparel and accessory collections will be available at select Lane Crawford stores in Hong Kong and China. It is the first time J.Crew goods will be featured in a retail environment outside of North America.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Hibbett Sports announced that Scott J. Bowman has joined the company as senior VP and CFO effective July 9. He will replace Gary Smith, whose retirement is effective July 8, 2012.

Bowman was most recently division chief financial officer – Northern Division for The Home Depot, a position he has held since 2006.
 

New York -- The Fisher family, the founders of Gap Inc. have acquired a stake in high-end riding-gear and apparel company Ariat International Inc.

The Fisher family, along with Ariat management, purchased the firm from LNK Partners and Brentwood Associates. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.
 

Topeka, Kan. -- Collective Brands said Thursday that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has granted early termination of the waiting periods under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act in connection with Collective’s impending $2 billion acquisition by Wolverine World Wide, Blum Capital Partners and Golden Gate Capital.

As announced on May 1, investment firms Blum Capital and Golden Gate will jointly acquire the operations of Payless ShoeSource and Collective Licensing International.

Seattle -- Tommy Bahama Group said Wednesday that Joel Gardner has been promoted to senior VP retail, and Bornie Del Priore has been named VP of Tommy Bahama Footwear, a new division for the company.

Gardner has been with Tommy Bahama since 2006, most recently as VP retail planning and merchandising. Before joining Tommy Bahama, he was VP retail at The Orvis Co.

Del Priore has spent the last four years at Tommy Hilfiger USA, most recently as executive VP accessories. She also spent 15 years at Ralph Lauren Footwear.

San Francisco -- Gymboree Corp. reported Thursday net income of $4.2 million for the quarter ended April 28, compared with a loss of $10.4 million in the same period last year.

Sales rose 10.2% to $297.8 million, and same-store sales edged up 1%.

The retailer said it is on track to open 105 stores in fiscal 2012, which include 80 Crazy 8 locations. Crazy 8 is Gymboree’s discount concept.

New York -- Kenneth Cole Productions said its board has approved founder Kenneth Cole's offer to buy up the remaining part of the company that he doesn't already own in a deal worth $245 million.

Cole, currently the chairman and CEO of Kenneth Cole, holds about 46% of its outstanding common stock and controls 89% of its voting power. He will pay $15.25 for each share of the company that he doesn't already own.

Seattle -- Eddie Bauer announced Tuesday that Michael R. Egeck has been named its president and CEO, replacing interim CEO David Chamberlain who will remain a member of the board.

Egeck was most recently CEO of Hurley International, a division of Nike. He has also served as president of True Religion.