Footwear

NEW YORK — Gap executives reaffirmed its commitment to reducing square footage at home, aggressive international expansion and online growth during a presentation at Gap Global Creative Center in New York City. Gap also revealed that its online-only Piperlime division will explore a store concept next year and is testing men’s apparel.

New York City -- Gap executives reaffirmed its commitment to reducing square footage at home, aggressive international expansion and online growth during a presentation at Gap Global Creative Center in New York City. Gap also revealed that its online-only Piperlime division will explore a store concept next year and is testing men’s apparel.

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap Inc. is continuing its expansion into Latin America with the opening of its first stores in South America in Chile this month. The company also announced plans to open Gap and Banana Republic stores in Panama and Colombia in 2012.

San Francisco -- Gap said Wednesday it will advance its expansion in Latin America with new store openings in Chile in October, and will introduce Gap and Banana Republic stores to Panama and Colombia in 2012.

“We believe substantial opportunity exists in Latin America and our first stores in Chile, Panama and Colombia will allow us to establish a foundation for further growth in this region,” said Stephen Sunnucks, president, International, Gap.

New York City -- Apparel manufacturer and retailer The Jones Group confirmed Tuesday that it is in discussions to divest its jeanswear division for between $350 million to $400 million.

The potential buyer is Israeli clothing maker Delta Galil Industries.

Jones Group, whose brands include Anne Klein and Nine West, said talks should conclude within a month, but cautioned that no deal has been reached. If the two were to reach a deal, Jones said it would use net proceeds for share repurchases.

Americans spent lots of money on apparel in September, and Target was among the beneficiaries, reporting that the category’s performance exceeded the total company same-store sales increase of 5.3%. Target didn’t elaborate on any key merchandising initiatives that may have influenced the results, such as the launch of the Missoni collection, but it was hardly alone in reporting strong apparel sales.

New York City -- Bloomingdale’s 520,000-sq.-ft. Manhattan flagship is undergoing a 100,000-sq.-ft. renovation, Women’s Wear Daily reported, with bridge, contemporary, home, shoes, fine jewelry and parts of the designer floor included in the remodel.

The project is estimated to cost $50 million, according to Women’s Wear Daily.
 

Florissant, Mo. -- Brixmor Property Group announced a 5,000-sq.-ft. lease has been executed with shoe retailer Prime Sole at Clocktower Place, located in Florissant, Mo.

Brixmor, based in New York City, is the owner of Clocktower Place.
 

Beachwood, Ohio -- DDR Corp. announced Friday plans to redevelop four shopping centers by adding two new Walmart stores in Florida and expanding two existing stores in Ohio and Puerto Rico.

"These projects will deliver desired growth opportunities to the world's most successful retailer and further strengthen DDR's relationship with its largest tenant," said Paul Freddo, senior executive VP leasing & development for DDR.

Sidney, Neb. -- Firethorn Mobile, Inc.! said Friday that outdoor retailer Cabela’s will use the Swagg Smartphone application, providing shoppers with mobile access to special retail offers and customer loyalty programs.

The app includes a GPS locater, providing customers with a localized merchant list and detailed description according to their current location. It will also feature user-generated cards, in which users can add their own cards such as AAA, American Red Cross, library, and local merchants.