Apparel

Hampstead, Md. -- Jos. A. Bank Clothiers said that it will consider increasing its $2.3 billion buyout offer for Men's Wearhouse. The retailer also said that it would drop its proposal in two week if Men's Wearhouse did not enter into discussions.

 In a letter sent to Men's Wearhouse CEO Douglas Ewert, Jos. A. Bank chairman Robert Wildrick said that if the talks are not held by that date it will pull its offer so that it can consider other strategic options that it has been investigating.

Quincy, Mass. -- J.Jill is debuting a new store prototype in four locations across the country: Short Hills, N.J.; Huntington Station, N.Y.; King of Prussia, Pa.; and San Diego, Calif.

“The new approach to store design is based on our understanding of what is important to our customers,” said Paula Bennett, CEO and president, J.Jill. “We want to delight her with our beautiful, versatile collections and inspire her confidence with our guiding service. The new stores offer her a very warm welcome."

Alameda, Calif. -- MBH Architects appointed team members Eddie Hall and Joanna Wong to associates and has hired Paula DeLiso as its new business development representative.

As an associate, Eddie Hall will be taking on more of a leadership role within the internal operations of the company while maintaining his position in MBH’s retail studio, where he recently worked on Portland CityTarget.

Chicago — Athletic shoe and apparel retailer ASICS has signed a 5,254-sq.-ft. lease in Chicago’s Bucktown area. According to RKF, who represented the landlord, 1630 Damen LLC c/o Jenel Management Corporation in negotiations for the long-term lease, this will be Asics’ first store in the Midwest and third in the United States when it opens early next year.  

Blatteis & Schnur represented Windsor Financial Group, an independent licensee of AsicsAmerica in negotiations.

Redwood Shores, Calif. – Toms — the company that gives a pair of its shoes or provides eye care to a person in need for every corresponding purchase — has deployed the Oracle Commerce platform to support its rapid business growth and international expansion.

By Craig Johnson, president, Customer Growth Partners

Century 21 has enlisted retail concierge service Hobson to offer same-day delivery to hotels and homes in Manhattan from their downtown flagship location.

For “a small fee,” customers will be able to drop off their purchases at the Century 21 Hobson booth on the ground floor of the newly renovated store for guaranteed same-day delivery.

Specialty retailer J.Jill is preparing to roll out a redesigned store concept in four markets across the United States.

"The new approach to store design is based on our understanding of what is important to our customers. We want to delight her with our beautiful, versatile collections and inspire her confidence with our guiding service," said CEO and president Paula Bennett. "The new stores offer her a very warm welcome."

Oakland, Calif. -- GT Nexus announced that The Children's Place, the largest pure-play children’s specialty apparel retailer in North America, has selected its technology platform and services to enable its global supply chain and support business growth. The cloud-based platform will help Children’s Place, which operates 1,116 stores and an online store, automate and streamline ordering, manufacturing and transportation processes.

Seattle -- Nordstrom announced that it plans to open a Nordstrom Rack at Gateway Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The approximately 33,000-sq.-ft. store is scheduled to open in fall 2014. Gateway Center is owned and managed by Related Companies.  

When it opens, the Gateway Center Nordstrom Rack will be the company's second Brooklyn location. The first Brooklyn Rack is set to open on Fulton Street in spring 2014.