Apparel

Clifton, N.J. — Blink Fitness has leased a 15,000-sq.-ft. location at the 80,000-sq.-ft. Clifton Plaza shopping center in Clifton, N.J., according to Levin Management (www.levinmgt.com), the property’s managing and leasing agent.

Co-anchored by a 24,000-sq.-ft. Big Lots and a 14,000-sq.-ft. Dollar Tree, Clifton Plaza’s tenant roster includes GameStop, Radio Shack, Angel Tip Nails & Spa, Bruno’s Pizza, Sally Beauty Supply and Valley National Bank.

Dodgeville, Wis. — Lands' End is launching its "Set Sail" omnichannel sweepstakes. The contest allows customers to play a virtual tic-tac-toe game on Lands’ End’s e-commerce and Facebook pages, with the chance to win gift cards.

One random winner will receive then grand prize getaway, which includes round-trip airfare for four people to Miami and five nights' accommodations. The contest runs June 12-July 12.

It looks like Sycamore Partners, which owns approximately 9.9% of Express’ outstanding shares, is interested in acquiring the retailer.

Express confirmed that it has received a letter from Sycamore and has established a special committee of the board to determine a course of action that serves the best interest of all stockholders. The retailer has also engaged Perella Weinberg Partners LP and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP as advisers to itself and the special committee.

Neiman Marcus may have reported total revenues of $1.16 billion for the third quarter, compared to $1.10 billion in the prior year, and a comparable-store sales increase of 5.9%, but the company’s profits took a hit, as traffic to brick-and-mortar stores decreased compared to last year.

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. — Mid-America Asset Management Inc. has secured four new retail leases on behalf of three lifestyle shopping centers in the Chicago metropolitan area. Mid-America represented the landlord in each transaction.

In Algonquin, Ill., Pure Mountain Company has taken 8,824 sq. ft. at Algonquin Commons in Algonquin, Ill. Premier Commercial Realty represented the tenant. Dick’s Sporting Goods, DSW, Old Navy, PetSmart and Trader Joe’s anchor the 578,825-sq.-ft. Algonquin Commons lifestyle center.

Brisbane, California — bebe stores CEO Steve Birkhold has left the company, effectively immediately, and an interim chief has been named to lead while a search for a permanent replacement is underway, said bebe stores on Thursday.

Following the sudden departure of Birkhold, the board appointed Jim Wiggett, currently CEO of Jackson Hole Group, as bebe’s interim CEO.

Washington, D.C. — Consumer spending rose 0.3% in May, marking four consecutive months of rising U.S. retail sales.

The Commerce Department reported Thursday that May results were boosted by strength from the auto sector, which recorded a 1.4% sales increase during the month. U.S. retail sales rose 0.5% in April and 1.5% in March.

San Francisco — Lower gross profits and higher pretax losses helped drive The Gymboree Corp.’s net loss to $15 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, up from $2.85 million a year earlier. The retailer plans to open 50 new stores and close 25-30 existing stores during the fiscal year.

Net sales shrank 7% to $272 million from $292.78 million. Same-store sales dropped 10%. Gymboree plans to open new stores fairly evenly across its brands, and will spend $35-$40 million in capital expenditures during fiscal 2014.