Apparel

Katy, Texas – Academy Ltd., parent company of the Academy Sports + Outdoors chain, will open a 1.6.-million-plus-sq.-ft. distribution center on a 200-plus-acre site in Cookeville, Tennessee to support its continued expansion. The retailer will begin construction on the facility later in August 2014 with plans to become operational in early 2016.

Seattle – Online specialty jewelry and diamond retailer Blue Nile Inc. reported net income of $2.17 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2014, a 1% drop from $2.2 million in the second quarter of the previous fiscal year. Net sales also decreased 1%, to $1.06.6 million from $108 million.

Blue Nile cited falling diamond prices as having an adverse effect on its financial performance during the quarter.

Miami Beach, Fla. -- Terranova Corp. and Acadia Realty Trust have reportedly agreed to sell six retail buildings on Lincoln Road in Miami for $342 million. According to the Miami Herald, the buildings were purchased for a combined $191 million in 2011 and 2012, marking a $151 million profit in a few years.

Tenants include Starbucks, Fossil, and A/X Armani Jeans. The deal is with an unnamed institutional investor and is not yet completed. It ranks as the most expensive retail real estate transaction in Miami history.

Yonkers, N.Y. -- Forest City Ratner Companies (FCRC), the developer and owner of the Westchester’s Ridge Hill shopping center, has announced some new tenants that will open at the regional center. They include 5 Napkin, a family-friendly bar and grill; Wine Zetta, a regional wine store; and Hand and Stone, a spa franchise.

Conway, Ark. -- The Central Landing retail development now underway in Conway, Arkansas, has added Dillard’s as a key anchor for its first phase, according Jim Wilson & Associates and partner the Conway Development Corp.

Richardson, Texas -- Commercial real estate development and investment firm KDC announced that Regency Centers will build a 40,000-sq.-ft. store for Whole Foods Market in its CityLine Market development at KDC’s 186-acre mixed-use CityLine project in Richardson, Texas.

New York -- Faith Hope Consolo, chairman, and Joseph Aquino, executive VP, along with Arthur Maglio of Douglas Elliman's Retail Group are bringing fashion designer Victor de Souza to a pop up boutique at 2312 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. as he prepares for his New York Fashion Week debut on Sept. 3.

Redmond, Wash. – Microsoft Corp. is reportedly negotiating to open a new store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. According to the New York Daily News, the site is only a few blocks from Apple’s large “glass cube” store in New York.

Columbus, Ohio -- DSW’s Affiliated Business Group division and Yellow Box Corporation have opened the first-ever Yellow Box Footwear store in California, at the Westfield Topanga Mall, in Canoga Park.

Founded in 1998, Yellow Box is a footwear wholesaler best known for its jeweled sandals for women. The Yellow Box retail concept made its debut in June, with a store in Miami.

Los Angeles – American Apparel has relocated its Aix-en-Provence store in France. Set in a former private hotel, the new location features an open, single floor layout and flower garden.

The shop maintains much of the building's early architecture including stone walls, a fireplace (transformed into a shoe display) and double front doors depicting the city's emblem of two lion faces. With history dating back to the 16th century, it marks the company's oldest interior in Europe.