Apparel

New York –- Brooks Brothers is currently one-third of the way through an IT transformation based on SAP technology. In a presentation and also in an exclusive one-on-one interview with Chain Store Age at the recent SAP Retail Forum in New York, Sahal S. Laher, executive VP/global CIO of Brooks Brothers, explained how the retailer is becoming a more customer-focused organization.  

The Maurices division of Ascena Retail Group is rolling toward a footprint of more than 1,000 locations with a new round of stores opening in advance of the holidays.

Maurices plans to open sixteen locations before November 10 giving the Ascena subsidiary a total of 938 locations. The company contends the U.S. and Canada can support more than 1,300 locations.

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. plans to hire more than 63,000 seasonal associates—more than Walmart—at its stores, call centers and distribution centers nationwide for the 2014 holiday season. (Walmart previously announced it was hiring 60,000 seasonal associates.)  

By Gary Ambrosino, President and CEO of TimeTrade   Hidden in the onslaught of negative headlines about former retail heavyweights, like JC Penney and Sears, is a slew of less-publicized, good news from smaller—many formerly online-only—retailers that are not only weathering the storm but are thriving.   

Milan, Italy -– Enrico Cavatorta, who accepted the role of CEO at global eyewear manufacturer/retailer Luxottica Group in September 2014, has resigned due to what the company termed disagreements with corporate governance structure. Board member Roger Abravanel also resigned for the same reason.  

Miami -- A visionary downtown Miami project has launched construction, promising to deliver a mix of uses and a true urban community.  

Huntington Beach, Calif. -- Quiksilver announced that Bob McKnight will retire as a senior executive of the company on Oct. 31, 2014. He will remain a director. The teen retailer also said CEO Andy Mooney has been elected chairman and Pierre Agnes has been promoted to president of Quiksilver, effective Nov. 1, 2014.  

New York -- Ann Inc., parent of Ann Taylor and Loft, said Tuesday it has entered into a non-disclosure agreement with Golden Gate Capital to provide certain non-public information with the private equity firm.    Golden Gate disclosed in a filing in March it bought a 9.5% stake in the women's clothing retailer. Ann said it has been engaged in a "collaborative, constructive" dialogue with Golden Gate since March.