Apparel

QVC has named a Procter & Gamble veteran as its next business planning and analysis chief, as the company looks tomaximize efficiencies and organizational synergy.

Dublin, Calif. -- dd’s Discounts, a division of Ross Stores, Inc., opened a new store in Lafayette, Louisiana, on June 27.  

The 21,000-sq.-ft. store is located in the Karam Shopping Center, a 100,238-sq.-ft. site at Evangeline Throughway and Willow Street.  
 

Dublin, Calif. -- Ross Dress for Less will open two new stores in the Raleigh, North Carolina, area on July 18.  The stores are located in the Wake Forest Crossing in Wake Forest, 15 miles northeast of downtown Raleigh, and the Shops at Cameron in Sanford, 50 miles southwest of Raleigh.  

These openings are part of the retailer’s 2015 expansion program, totaling approximately 70 new locations during the year.  
 

San Clemente, Calif. – The Outlets at San Clemente announces its grand opening coming in October. The lifestyle center will be designed in the style of a Spanish village and offer up to 70 retailers at opening.

The Men's Wearhouse is bringing in a PetSmart executive to serve as chief operating officer.

Men's Wearhouse said that Bruce K. Thorn, 48, has been named executive vice president, chief operating officer, effective immediately.

Saks Fifth Avenue reduces energy costs with LED retrofit

It’s often said that companies must spend money to make money, and this is true of investments in energy efficiency.

Academy Sports is marking a company milestone this week when it opens a store in Tupelo, Miss.

"I want to thank all of our corporate, store, and distribution center associates for their tremendous efforts in supporting us as we achieve this milestone in our strategic five-year growth plan," said Rodney Faldyn, president and CEO of Academy Sports + Outdoors. "We have no intention of stopping our growth at 200 as we're committed to bringing our stores to active communities throughout the Midwest, South, and Southeast U.S."

Fremont, Calif. - The Men's Wearhouse has named Bruce K. Thorn, 48, executive VP and COO. Prior to joining Men's Wearhouse, Thorn served as executive VP, store operations, services and supply chain at PetSmart Inc.

Thorn had been employed by PetSmart since 2007 in various positions, assuming his most recent post in April 2014.  Prior to joining PetSmart, Thorn served in various leadership roles with Gap, Cintas Corp., LESCO, Inc. and the U.S. Army.