Jewelry

Cincinnati -- The Kroger Co. named  Michael L. Ellis, senior VP of retail divisions, as president COO effective January 1, 2014, completing the succession plan announced in September.

In September, Kroger announced that chairman and CEO David B. Dillon will retire as CEO on January 1, 2014, and will continue to serve as chairman through December 31, 2014. He will be succeeded by W. Rodney McMullen, Kroger's president and CO, effective January 1, 2014.

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. — Mid-America Asset Management has announced three new retail leases in Chicago’s northwestern suburbs. Mid-America represented the landlord in each transaction.

Charles Schwab signed a lease for 4,339 sq. ft. at Shops of Uptown in Park Ridge, a northwestern suburb of Chicago. The store is expected to open next spring. The 70,800-sq.-ft. center features Trader Joe’s, Houlihan’s and Jason’s Deli. Colliers International represented the tenant.

Kroger has named Michael L. Ellis as the company’s president and chief operating officer, effective Jan. 1, 2014, completing the succession plan announced in September. The company expects its board of directors to elect Ellis at the next board meeting in Dec.

Schurman Retail Group, owners of Papyrus North America, unveiled its newest concept, Niquea D., on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The store features women’s jewelry and accessories, clothing, scents, home décor, and paper and gift products.  

With a mix of antique furniture, one-of-a-kind chandeliers, and hand-painted rich blue damask walls, the 900-sq.-ft. space has the feel and look of a Parisian boutique. A second Manhattan location is scheduled to open later this fall, downtown on Hudson Street

Indianapolis — Simon Property Group has announced the grand re-opening of the redeveloped The Shops at Nanuet, a 750,000-sq.-ft. open-air main street center in Rockland County, N.Y.

With the re-opening, three new anchors are making a debut: Fairway Market, open now, Regal Cinemas, opening in November, and 24-Hour Fitness, opening in December. They will join existing anchors Macy’s and Sears at the property.

Sales trends at J.C. Penney are improving and year end liquidity is now expected to exceed $2 billion following a recent stock offering, the company said Tuesday morning during an uncharacteristic mid-quarter update on its operating performance.

Norwalk, Conn. – GE Capital, Corporate Retail Finance announced it is administrative agent and sole lender on a $100 million senior secured credit facility for Samuels Jewelers. The proceeds will be used to refinance existing debt and to support ongoing working capital needs. GE Capital Markets served as lead arranger.

BeachMint, parent company of JewelMint, StyleMint, ShoeMint and intiMINT, has expanded its partnership with Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen, designers of the Row, Elizabeth and James, Olsenboye and StyleMint. 

The agreement names Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen co-chairs of BeachMint's advisory board, a role that will be consultative and creative in nature across the four fashion Mint brands. Previously the celebrity twins were partners and designers solely in BeachMint's apparel brand, StyleMint.

Denton, Texas — Golden Triangle Mall has announced the addition of Charlotte Russe to a list of national and regional tenants that have recently committed to or renewed leases at the renovated mall. The specialty fashion retailer will occupy 4,475 sq. ft. and will open before the holiday shopping season.

In addition to Charlotte Russe, the list of new retailers includes Buckle, Body Central, Pro Image Sports and food court eateries Italia Express, Tobu Oriental Eatery and Smoothie Paradise.

New York -- Masayoshi Son, billionaire founder of tech/telecom company SoftBank Corp., has reportedly won bidding for the Tiffany Building in the Ginza shopping district of Tokyo. According to Forbes, Son paid about $36 million for the 10-story glass building.

The Tiffany Building houses the flagship Japanese store of Tiffany & Co. Son did not comment on why he bought the building.