Apparel

Following disappointing fourth-quarter sales, the Bon-Ton Stores president and CEO Brendan L. Hoffman has notified the company’s board of directors that he will not renew his employment agreement with the company when it expires Feb. 7, 2015.

Hoffman also plans to resign as a director of the company.

A little more than a month ago, Robert Hanson resigned as CEO of American Eagle Outfitters, following disappointing holiday sales, and caused shares to drop 10%. Shares dropped again, nearly 7% this time, following what the company called “highly disappointing” fourth-quarter results.

Plano, Texas – Two major J.C. Penney Co. Inc. executives who left the company in April 2013 did so without receiving severance pay. According to a regulatory filing from Penney, neither former CEO Ron Johnson nor former chief talent officer Daniel Walker were paid any severance when they left the retailer.

Seattle – Amazon.com is reportedly planning to pilot the sale of goods created by 3-D printers. According to the Cincinnati Business Journal, Amazon is partnering with Cincinnati area-based startup 3DLT and four other companies to launch a pilot where Amazon would directly sell 3-D printed products through its website.

New Albany, Ohio – Abercrombie & Fitch Co. reportedly plans to shift its marketing and merchandising focus from teens to college students. According to Bloomberg, Abercrombie executives said they will shift marketing, assortments and pricing to appeal to the collegiate market.

New York — An ~exhale MINDBODYSPA has leased 3,027-sq.-ft. location in Manhattan’s Flatiron District, where Flatiron and Chelsea meet. It is a strong retail neighborhood with national fashion and specialty retailers along Fifth Avenue including Anthropologie, J.Crew, Club Monaco, kate spade, Nike, Intermix and Sephora. There are larger format retailers in the area, too: Bed Bath & Beyond, The Container Store, Sports Authority, Staples, Men’s Wearhouse, Trader Joe’s and Marshalls along Sixth Avenue.

Dublin, Calif. -- Ross Stores recently opened a total of 30 Ross Dress for Less and seven DD’s Discounts stores in 14 different states. These openings are part of the off-price retailer's 2014 expansion plans for about 95 new stores, which will include continuing to build presence in existing markets and grow in the newer markets initially entered in 2011.

Ross believes that long-term expansion opportunities include 2,000 Ross Dress for Less stores and 500 DD’s Discounts stores.

Dallas -- Michael West has joined Neiman Marcus Group Inc as senior VP, distribution, logistics and fulfillment. West joins Neiman Marcus from Ann Inc., where he was senior VP, global logistics and distribution. He spent more than 12 years with Target Corp., where he held various positions, including VP, global logistics.

Foothill Ranch, Calif. -- The Wet Seal Inc. has appointed Deena Varshavskaya, Nancy Lublin and Adam Rothstein as new independent members of the company’s board of directors. The appointments expand the size of the board from seven to nine members.

White House | Black Market creates a welcoming ambience at its store in Yorkdale Centre, Toronto, the company’s first location outside the United States. The 3,063-sq.-ft. space has the look and feel of an intimate boutique.