Apparel

Southlake, Texas -- Retail Properties of America, Inc. announced that Columbia Sportswear's Performance Fishing Gear concept store, plus several additional retailers including Altar'd State (5,162 sq. ft.), Elaine Turner (2,066 sq. ft.), ME SPA – which replaces Coldwater Creek Spa – and J.Jill, have recently opened, or will be opening, at Southlake Town Square in Southlake, Texas.
 
Columbia Sportswear's PFG store, the first of its kind in Texas, will measure 3,456 sq. ft. and is slated to open in late November 2014.

New York -- The Mall at Bay Plaza, New York City’s first enclosed fashion mall in over 40 years, officially opens on Aug. 14.

New York -- Barneys New York has settled its profiling and racial discrimination case, agreeing to pay $525,000 and implement measures to address potential future profiling chances.

The retailer’s Madison Avenue store has been under investigation by the New York State Attorney General’s office for the past nine months.

Destination Maternity Corporation’s Ed Krell is stepping down as the company's CEO and as a member of its board of directors. Anthony M. Romano has been tapped as new executive chief and will be appointed to the board, effective immediately.

Philadelphia -- Capping a turbulent summer for maternity apparel retailers, Destination Maternity CEO Ed Krell has resigned effective immediately, and will be replaced by Anthony Romano, former CEO of Charming Shoppes, Inc.

New York -- The latest SpendingPulse report from MasterCard showed that U.S. retail sales rose 4.6% year-over-year in July, the largest year-over-year gain since October 2012.

Lodging, Airlines and Restaurants were among the top categories for U.S. retail sales last month, while Automotive, Grocery and Luxury items (excluding Jewelry) were less sought after by consumers.

Yonkers, N.Y. -- Forest City Ratner Companies (FCRC), the developer and owner of the Westchester’s Ridge Hill shopping center, has announced some new tenants that will open at the regional center. They include 5 Napkin, a family-friendly bar and grill; Wine Zetta, a regional wine store; and Hand and Stone, a spa franchise.

Katy, Texas – Academy Ltd., parent company of the Academy Sports + Outdoors chain, will open a 1.6.-million-plus-sq.-ft. distribution center on a 200-plus-acre site in Cookeville, Tennessee to support its continued expansion. The retailer will begin construction on the facility later in August 2014 with plans to become operational in early 2016.