Apparel

Philadelphia -- Century 21 Department Store is opening an approximately 95,000-sq.-ft. anchor store at The Gallery shopping center in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Oct. 28. This will be New York-based Century 21’s first location outside the New York market.   

Construction is currently underway at Jefferson Commons, a regional shopping center in a booming area of Louisville, Ky. Developed by GBT Realty Corp., based in Brentwood, Tenn., the 230,000-sq.-ft. Jefferson Commons will feature Academy Sports + Outdoors, Five Below, Mattress Firm, Mens Wearhouse, Hancock Fabrics and Avalon Nails.  

New York – Fast-fashion retailer H&M is reportedly opening a new 21,000-sq.-ft. store at the Dayton Mall in Dayton, Ohio on Thursday, Oct. 30. According to the Dayton Business Journal, H&M has hired 30 employees to staff the location.  

Milan, Italy –- Leonardo Del Vecchio, 79, the chairman and founder of global eyewear manufacturer/retailer Luxottica Group who assumed the role of interim CEO on Oct. 14, has reportedly sent a letter to employees reassuring them his return as CEO is temporary. According to Reuters, in the letter, Del Vecchio said he would step down and turn management over to new co-CEOs once the company’s new governance structure is consolidated.  

New York -- Harvard Business Review released its annual list of the 100 best-performing CEOs in the world, and heading up the list is Amazon chief Jeff Bezos.    

New York -- Woolrich John Rich & Bros. announced the opening of its first Tokyo flagship, in the fashionable Omotesando neighborhood. Following the opening of the brand’s first U.S. flagship this September, Woolrich John Rich & Bros. continues its global expansion plan with the new addition in Japan.  

Sunrise, Fla. - The Sawgrass Mills outlet and value retail shopping center has begun construction on the next expansion of its open-air luxury promenade, The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills. The planned project will include an additional 80,000 sq. ft. to comprise 30 additional luxury outlet stores and full-service restaurants, which will join a roster of existing brands like Prada, Gucci, Tory Burch, Burberry and more.  

Cincinnati -- The Kroger Co. was named Employer of the Year by the Ohio Governor's Council on People with Disabilities for significantly contributing to employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.   Kroger was nominated for this recognition by the Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities. The company received the award at a ceremony at the Ohio Statehouse on Oct. 16.