Apparel

Luxottica CEO resigns after 6 weeks
Milan, Italy -– Enrico Cavatorta, who accepted the role of CEO at global eyewear manufacturer/retailer Luxottica Group in September 2014, has resigned due to what the company termed disagreements with corporate governance structure. Board member Roger Abravanel also resigned for the same reason.
Maurices plans 16 new stores in time for holidays
Duluth, Minn. –- Maurices is ramping up its store openings in time for the holiday season with plans to open 16 new stores. These expansions will give the girls’ apparel retailer a total of 938 locations, advancing it toward its goal of having more than 1,300 stores in the United States and Canada.

FirstData: Spending slows in September
Smaller, More Agile Retailers are Winning Big and Here’s Why

By Gary Ambrosino, President and CEO of TimeTrade Hidden in the onslaught of negative headlines about former retail heavyweights, like JC Penney and Sears, is a slew of less-publicized, good news from smaller—many formerly online-only—retailers that are not only weathering the storm but are thriving.
Finish Line upgrades mobile capabilities

Finish Line and IBM have created a new mobile app to enable the operator of more than 1,000 athletic footwear and apparel stores to fulfill its omnichannel vision.

Finish Line said the new app is focused on providing services and conveniences that reward its Winners Circle loyalty program customers with points and perks, reinforce brand interactions, improve customer service and sales and also provide timely information about customers’ favorite product releases.
Maurices adds stores for holiday cheer

The Maurices division of Ascena Retail Group is rolling toward a footprint of more than 1,000 locations with a new round of stores opening in advance of the holidays.

Maurices plans to open sixteen locations before November 10 giving the Ascena subsidiary a total of 938 locations. The company contends the U.S. and Canada can support more than 1,300 locations.
About Penney’s CEO in waiting
Junction Solutions implements Microsoft Dynamics for sports retailer Fanzz

Denver -- Junction Solutions announced today that it completed the implementation of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 at 122 stores of Fanzz, a leading sports apparel and team gear retailer.
Downtown Summerlin opens in Las Vegas

Las Vegas -- The Howard Hughes Corp. on Oct. 9 officially opened Downtown Summerlin in Las Vegas, the largest retail development to open in the U.S. since the economic downturn. The destination features 125 stores, restaurants and entertainment venues located in a 106-acre expanse of prime real estate just off the 215 Beltway, between Sahara Avenue and Charleston Boulevard. The development also features a nine-story Class A office building - One Summerlin.
J.C. Penney names Home Depot VP of stores as president and next CEO

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney on Monday appointed Marvin Ellison president and CEO-designee, effective Nov. 1. Ellison, executive VP of stores for Home Depot, will also join the company’s board of directors.

Ellison, 49, will succeed Mike Ullman, III, as CEO of Penney on Aug. 1, 2015, when Ullman will become executive chairman of the board for one year.
Wolverine names Divol to board

Leading footwear manufacturer Wolverine Worldwide added an executive with an ideal background for a data insecure world to its board of directors.
Online urgency comes to Amazon Prime

Amazon has sweetened the value proposition for its Prime members this holiday season by offering a 30 minute head start on select Lightning Deals on Amazon.com and daily sales events at MyHabit.com.

The early access deals feature is the latest enhancement to Amazon’s Prime membership which is best known for providing free two day shipping to members who pay a $99 annual fee. The feature brings elements of the competitive shopping behavior to Amazon by creating a sense of urgency to make purchases before the goods are gone.