Apparel

Chico's FAS’ expansion plans are taking it outside U.S. borders, to Canada. The women's apparel retailer is opening a White House Black Market store at Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto on Oct. 24, and will follow it up with an opening at Square One, Mississauga on Oct. 29, as well as an opening at Upper Canada Mall, Newmarket on November 12.

Saks Fifth Avenue will unveil its renovated men’s store in its Chicago flagship on Michigan Avenue in January of the new year. The renovation will encompass a total redesign of floors six and seven, creating an open environment that will be easily accessed by a new express elevator that will take passengers directly to the men’s floors.  

Scovill Fasteners, a developer and manufacturer of a diverse range of fasteners for apparel and industrial partners and part of the Gores Group portfolio of companies, has elected Gores executive James I. Pinto to its board.

“I’m pleased to have someone of Jim’s caliber and experience join our board, and am excited for our team’s opportunity to work with him,” said CEO Craig Stoudt.

The Internet and mobile have transformed consumer shopping behaviors, but the in-store shopping still remains important to many consumers, especially when buying cosmetics, apparel, grocery and office supplies, according to a new study from global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney. It is important, however, that retailers strategically assess and recast the role of stores.

Management consulting firm Kurt Salmon has named Deanna Emsley as a partner in the firm’s Retail and Consumer Products Group.

Emsley has nearly 25 years of experience in retail, specializing in planning, forecasting, distribution and omnichannel. She has worked as a consultant and in-house for top-tier brands, including Williams-Sonoma and Abercrombie & Fitch.

According to an internal memo from Family Dollar president and COO Mike Bloom, Jason Reiser has been elevated to the role of SVP/lead merchandising officer at the company.

Pittsburgh -- Dick’s Sporting Goods grand-opened three new stores on Friday, bringing the total store count to 541 in the U.S.

The chain opened a store in Redding, Wash., at the Redding Hilltop Center, its 30th store in the state of Washington. A new opening in Victorville, Calif., at The Mall of Victor Valley, marks the 31st Dick’s store in California.

And in Kansas, at the Midstate Plaza in Salina, Dick’s opened its eighth store in the state.

New York -- Charming Charlie has signed a lease for a 15,500-sq.-ft. store at 445 Fifth Avenue in the heart of midtown Manhattan. The fashion accessories retailer will open its first-ever Manhattan flagship store in early 2015.

Thor Equities owns and manages the building, which is located at the northeast corner of 39th street and Fifth Avenue, across from the New York Public Library. RKF and Strategic Retail Advisors represented Charming Charlie in the transaction. Thor Equities represented itself.

New York — RKF has arranged three long-term leases, totaling 13,055 sq. ft., in Manhattan for Carlo Pazolini, the European shoe and accessories brand. RKF represented Carlo Pazolini in each transaction.

The first store is in the Meatpacking District at 410 West 14th Street and spans 5,000 sq. ft., with 2,500 sq. ft. on the ground floor and another 2,500 sq. ft. in the basement. The location has opened for business. RKF represented the landlord Amcojor Realty Corp.

Richmond, Va. — Divaris Real Estate has announced the renewal of three retail leases totaling approximately 9.000 sq. ft. in the Richmond metropolitan area.

Legacy School of Dance signed a lease for 3,813 sq. ft. of retail space in Colony Plaza in Midlothian, Va. This is the second Richmond area location for the dance studio. Divaris represented the landlord, Colony Crossing. Legacy joins Dolce Vita Restaurant, Best Cleaners, Colony Coffee, Native Sun Tanning, Padows Deli, Fortune Bowl Restaurant and Nail Envy.