Footwear

ATLANTA — Foot Locker has rolled out retail technology provider RedPrairie's Enterprise Work force Management (EWFM) solution at approximately 2,700 retail stores throughout North America. Foot Locker, which operates retail brands Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Footaction, CCS, and Champs Sports, partnered with RedPrairie to help enable store associates to offer exceptional, highly interactive customer service.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Big 5 Sporting Goods is seeing the positive effects of its merchandising and marketing strategies, with its first positive quarterly comps increase since the third quarter of 2010. The company reported a same-store sales gain of 1% for its 2012 second quarter ended July 1.

Atlanta -- RedPrairie announced that Foot Locker has rolled out Red Prairie’s enterprise workforce management solution at approximately 2,700 stores throughout North America. Foot Locker’s deployment of the RedPrairie solution began as a 21-store pilot that was completed in April 2012, and then deployed at all remaining North American locations by July.

Hong Kong -- A Tuesday report by Bloomberg said that J. Crew will open its first Asia store – in Hong Kong – as early as 2013. CEO Millard “Mickey” Drexler told the news service that the retailer is also seeking sites in Beijing and Shanghai.

“We feel that we’re ready to go international,” said Drexler. “Going international is a strong learning curve and it could distract us from building our business in the United States, but we feel that the time is right now.”

Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-based Taubman Centers, Inc. has officially broken ground on its new Taubman Prestige Outlets Chesterfield project by hosting a groundbreaking ceremony on July 27.

As part of the ceremony, Taubman revealed a variety of store names that will make their debuts at the new outlet mall, among them Banana Republic Factory Store, Gap Outlet, J. Crew Factory, Brooks Brothers Factory Store, 2b Bebe, American Eagle Outfitters - Off Campus, and Sunglass Hut.

NEW YORK — Gap has launched its Shine On campaign, which features a ballerina, comedian, DJ, violinist and anti-bullying advocate alongside the winners of Gap’s sixth annual casting call contest.

NEW YORK — Macy's announced that Brazilian actress and model Camila Alves, will serve as the ambassador for it's exclusive I.N.C. International Concepts brand. Beginning this fall and continuing through 2013, Alves will highlight I.N.C.'s fall collection as she appears in a multi-platform campaign with a significant presence in print, digital and in store. Alves also takes on the role of media spokesperson, being at the forefront of all brand messaging such as new initiatives and product launches.

Wilmington, N.C. -- Madison Marquette Retail Services, which leases and manages Independence Mall – in Wilmington, N.C. – on behalf of owner Centro Properties Group, said that Gymboree Corp.’s Crazy 8 brand will open a new store at the mall this fall.

The 2,465-sq.-ft. store will join Aeropostale, The Children’s Place, Gymboree and Justice in catering to Independence Mall’s teen, tween and children’s clothing shoppers.