Footwear

New York City -- Brooks Bros. said Thursday that it has implemented a mobile optimized website to create a unique mobile shopping experience for its customers, powered by Digby’s Mobile Software Commerce Platform.

With the new mobile presence, customers can now search, review and buy products from Brooks Bros. directly from their mobile devices.

Kearney, Neb. -- The Buckle announced Thursday that its CFO will step down by February 2012.

Giving no reason for the planned departure, the teen retailer said that CFO Karen Rhoads will continue in her position through the completion of the fiscal year, which ends Jan. 28, 2012, unless a new CFO is found before then.

The company said Rhoads plans to continue to serve on the board of directors.

New York City -- Showing that luxury is experiencing measurable bounce in the recovering economy, the higher-end department stores led the same-store sales pack in March.

Saks outperformed the rest of the category, recording an 11.1% same-store sales increase during the month. Total sales rose 9.2% to $260.2 million, compared with $238.2 million in the year-ago period.

Ramsey, N.J. -- Welco Realty, an X Team partner, announced that it has signed a lease with Modell’s Sporting Goods for its new smaller-concept store, the retailer’s first in New Jersey.

The store is approximately 8,551 sq. ft., about half its standard size. Modell’s first small-format store opened on Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan.
 

Los Angeles -- Citadel Outlets, Los Angeles's only outlet shopping mall, announced that Tilly's, The Children's Place and U.S. Polo Assn opened in March.

The Children's Place (4,994 sq. ft.) opened on March 29 next to Nautica. Tilly's (5,162 sq. ft.) opened March 21, and the new U.S. Polo Assn. store (3,258 sq. ft.) opened March 9 next to Justice. 

In other center news, Rockport opened up its doors in February, Sprockets Kids relocated within the center, and Hurley, Van's and Bass remodeled and expanded their existing stores.

Sidney, Neb. -- Cabela’s will open a store Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, in spring 2012. The 50,000-sq.-ft. store will be Cabela’s third store in Canada, joining locations in Winnipeg, Manitoba, a former S.I.R. Warehouse Sports Store acquired and converted in 2008, and Edmonton, Alberta, to open late this summer.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- DSW Inc. has announced the appointment of Roger Rawlins to SVP and GM DSW.com, and Jennie Wilson as SVP finance and controller.

Columbus, Ohio -- DSW announced Tuesday that it has named Roger Rawlins senior VP and general manager of DSW.com, and has named Jennie Wilson to the position of senior VP of finance and controller of the company.

According to the shoe retailer, both appointments are designed to support long-term strategic growth initiatives for the company.

Wheaton, Ill. -- Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.-based Mid-America Asset Management said that Yoga By Degrees and Smashburger recently signed leases at Rice Lake Square in Wheaton, Ill., a western suburb of Chicago.

The independently owned yoga studio is slated to open this spring in 4,598 sq. ft. of space. Denver-based Smashburger, a privately held gourmet burger chain, leased 2,200 sq. ft. of space, with plans to open this summer.

Rice Lake Square is a 251,313-sq.-ft. shopping center anchored by Whole Foods, Stein Mart, Borders and PetSmart.

Charlotte, N.C. -- Lincoln Harris, which handles the leasing and management for luxury retail center Phillips Place, said that Brooks Bros. has moved from its current location in SouthPark Mall, in Charlotte, N.C., and opened a new store in Phillips Place.

The new 8,800-sq.-ft. store is located in the courtyard area of Phillips Place in space previously occupied by Modern Salon.