Apparel

New York -- J.C. Penney announced Thursday that its COO Michael Kramer has resigned, along with chief talent officer Daniel Walker – bringing Penney’s April executive casualty number to five. Both resignations had been previously reported.

Kramer’s resignation was disclosed via a Securities and Exchange filing. He walked away with a $2+ million cash payment.

The two latest resignations follow CEO Ron Johnson’s departure last week, along with product development lead Nick Wooster and marketing VP Sissie Twiggs.

Houston -- Francesca's Holdings Corp. said Friday it has appointed Laurie Ann Goldman and Joseph O'Leary to its board of directors, effective April 17.

Goldman is CEO of shapewear brand Spanx. Earlier in her career, she held marketing positions at R.H. Macy and Maison Blanche Stores.    

O'Leary is EVP merchandising, marketing, supply chain and strategic planning for PetSmart.

NEW YORK — The revolving door continues to turn at Penney with the news that Ron Johnson-appointee Nick Wooster, SVP of product and design is out while company veteran Ken Mangone has returned to the fold. 

Mangone, who left Penney last December after 35 years with the company, is returning to his previous post as EVP of product development, design and sourcing. His return is one of new CEO Myron Ullman’s first major moves in personnel.

Chairman, president and CEO of Fast Retailing Tadashi Yanai is among the 2013 Time 100, the magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. 

Yanai was the only retail and CPG company executive to make the list. Other notables with a connection to the retail industry included Samsung CEO Oh-Hyun Kwon, Paypal co-founder Elon Musk and fashion designer Michael Kors. The complete list will appear in the April 29 issue of Time, available now.

HOUSTON — Specialty retailer Francesca's has appointed Laurie Ann Goldman and Joseph O'Leary to its board of directors.

Goldman has been CEO of rapidly growing Spanx, makers of slimming intimates and body shapers, since 2002. Prior to joining privately held Spanx, she spent 10 years at the Coca-Cola Company in a number of leading marketing roles. Earlier in her career, she held marketing positions at R.H. Macy and Maison Blanche Stores. Goldman currently serves on the advisory board for Suntrust Banks.

Strong sales of new products and fleece allowed athletic performance brand Under Armour to grow sales 23% to $472 million during its first quarter ended March 31.

Despite the solid increase in sales, the 12th consecutive quarter of revenue growth in excess of 20%, net income tumbled 47% to $8 million, or 7 cents a share, due largely to the timing of marketing expenses associated with the company’s largest ever global marketing campaign.

New York -- Uniqlo will be the exclusive, multi-year, corporate sponsor of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Museum’s Friday night free admission program, which provides free access to the public to the Museum and all exhibitions from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., every Friday, throughout the year.
 
“Uniqlo Free Friday Nights” will launch on May 3. That evening, the first 1,000 visitors will receive a special Uniqlo tote bag. Also in May, the Museum will begin extending its public schedule to seven days per week.

Cranston, R.I. -- Boston-based The Wilder Cos. said Thursday that the second phase of the multi-phased strategy to expand, reconfigure and redevelop Garden City Center, in Cranston, R.I., is officially underway.

The project involves turning vacant former large-format retail spaces into a mix of mid-sized and smaller specialty retailers, including the state’s first Corner Bakery Café which signed a multi-year lease.

Knoxville, Tenn. -- CHM said that its Northshore Town Center mixed-use property will add First Tennessee Bank and ORNL Federal Credit Union to its tenant roster.

The two financial institutions will join fast-casual pizza restaurant Uncle Maddio’s, scheduled to open its first Tennessee location at Northshore Town Center later this spring.

Fredericksburg, Va. -- Youngstown, Ohio-based Cafaro Co. said that J. Jill will open a new store at Spotsylvania Towne Centre. The 3,700-sq.-ft. location is slated to open in July at The Village at Towne Centre, between Firebirds Wood Fired Grill and Cache.  

J. Jill will join The Buckle, opening April 25, and Chico’s, which is expected to open May 1.