Footwear

Warrendale, Pa. -- Rue21 Inc. said Wednesday that the “go-shop” period that would have allowed it to be sold to an alternate buyer has expired, edging the specialty apparel and accessories chain closer to a deal with Apax Partners.
 
In May, Rue21 reached a deal to sell itself to Apax for nearly $1 billion; terms allowed the retailer to shop competing bids until July 2. Although 60 potential buyers were contacted, none submitted a competing bid to acquire the company.
 

LEXINGTON, Mass. — The Keds division of footwear manufacturer Wolverine Worldwide is back for an encore performance with superstar Taylor Swift.

This fall, Keds will launch its second footwear collaboration with seven-time Grammy award-winning, multi-platinum singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. The collection expands this season to 17 styles, offering a variety of prints, colors and finishes inspired by Swift.

The Von Maur department store chain was founded 140 years ago and less than a month from now the company will open its 27th store in Coralville, Iowa.
 
The 80,000-sq.-ft. freestanding store will be located at the Iowa River Landing retail development and feature the company’s signature exterior entrance and resident ambience.

FREMONT, Calif. — Men’s Wearhouse is looking to find new homes for used men’s and women's business attire, including suits, and in the process, looking to generate foot traffic to its stores. 

The company has launched its sixth annual National Suit Drive and has set a goal to collect 150,000 gently used professional clothing items through July 31, to donate to unemployed men and women who are trying to re-enter the workforce. 

Pittsburgh – GNC Holdings Inc. has elected Alan D. Feldman and Robert F. Moran to its board of directors. Feldman most recently served as chairman, president and CEO of Midas Inc. from May 2006 until its merger with TBC Corporation in May 2012 and as its president and CEO from January 2003 until May 2006.  Prior to that, Feldman held senior management posts at McDonald's Corporation and the Pizza Hut and Frito-Lay units of Pepsico. Feldman also currently serves on the board of directors of Foot Locker Inc.

PITTSBURGH — GNC Holdings has elected former PetSmart CEO Robert Moran and former Midas CEO Alan Feldman to its board of directors.

"We are pleased to welcome Messrs. Moran and Feldman to the GNC board," stated Joseph Fortunato, GNC chairman, president and CEO. "Their extensive experience leading global consumer brands and retail operations, both domestically and overseas, and past experience as CEOs of retail businesses should add significant strength to our board as we execute our future strategies."

Secaucus, N.J. – The Children’s Place is partnering with Israeli fashion chain Fox-Wizel Ltd. to open stores in Israel, starting in the first quarter of fiscal 2014. The two companies inked a 10-year franchise agreement.

Los Angeles -- Sports Chalet has unveiled a sleek, smaller format in downtown Los Angeles, opening a 27,000-sq.-ft. store at Brookfield Properties’ FIGat7th mall. The center, which opened in 1986, reopened last year after a $40 million renovation.

The modern layout, designed by Gensler, puts the emphasis on education and training, and features a dedicated central area, called the “Expert Center,” for classes and clinics. The new layout also includes flexible fixtures and modules that allow for the store to be transformed overnight.