Apparel

New York -- Forever 21 will open a five-level store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, taking over the space that formerly housed an H&M.  

The new Forever 21, which is located on Fifth between 51st and 52nd Streets, is scheduled to open on Feb. 7.

The Kroger Co. is getting more accolades from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this time for its efforts to reduce food waste.  

DSW Inc. is shifting titles and responsibilities within its executive ranks, with all changes effective Feb. 2.

Carrie McDermott, currently executive VP, sales and operations, will be appointed executive VP and COO.

In addition, Bill Jordan, currently executive VP and general counsel, will be appointed executive VP and chief administrative officer, adding IT to his portfolio of responsibilities.

Roger Rawlins, executive VP, omnichannel, will be appointed executive VP and chief innovation officer.

San Francisco – Sabrina Simmons has been elected to the board of directors of Williams-Sonoma Inc. Simmons has served as executive VP, CFO of Gap Inc. since January 2008.

Gap Inc. has implemented yet another management shake-up, this time eliminating its creative director.

Rebecca Bay, whom the apparel retailer brought in from Hennes & Mauritz in September 2012 to help revive its namesake brand, has left the company.

The retailer also said that it has named Gap Inc. veteran Scott Key as general manager of customer experience, overseeing a newly created e-commerce and marketing organization, as the company aims to sharpen its focus on customers.

Dublin, Calif. - Doug Baker, who served as president and chief merchandising officer of Ross Stores’ DD’s Discounts division since 2011, is leaving the company. A specific reason has not been given.

The senior merchandising executives at DD’s Discounts will report to Ross executive chairman Michael Balmuth while the company conducts a search to fill this position.

Jones New York is closing all of its stores, discontinuing its wholesale business and will look at strategic alternatives for its brand, the company said.

The women's clothing company said it is making the move after a review of its recent performance and outlook.

San Luis Obispo – In what could be a preview of Sunday’s Super Bowl performance, Patriots fans have been outselling Seahawks fans overall in the month of January by 258%. According to data from Shopatron, although in total Patriots fans have spent more, individually their Seahawks counterparts have been more zealous, spending an average of 15% more than Patriots fans on each individual order.