Apparel

New York -- Aeropostale Inc. will close approximately 125 of its mall-based P.S. from Aeropostale kids’ stores by the end of its fiscal year and cut about 100 corporate jobs as part of a larger turnaround effort.

Bauer Performance Sports, a leading designer and manufacturer of high performance sports equipment and apparel, has appointed Karyn O. Barsa as an independent director of the company.

Barsa has led numerous global premium brands and has been a member of the board of directors of Deckers Outdoor Corporation since 2008. Barsa served as the CEO at Coyuchi, from 2009-13 and has also served as the CEO of Investor's Circle and Smith & Hawken.

Dodgeville, Wis. -- Lands' End announced it has named Steven Rado as senior VP, chief marketing officer. Rado will lead all aspects of marketing for the brand, including the oversight of strategic development, direction, and implementation of all marketing activities.

Most recently, Rado was senior VP of marketing and customer strategy for Office Depot, and prior to that he was VP of marketing for Victoria's Secret Direct.

Framingham, Mass. -- T.J.Maxx partnered with developmental and fashion psychologist Prof. Karen Pine to conduct a live fashion experiment that shows how women use fashion to make themselves feel proud, empowered and happy.

Last year, T.J.Maxx conducted a study that found that women aren't fashion victims but rather use fashion as a tool to express their personalities (77%) and individuality (74%).

Sweaty Betty

There’s a new high-end fashion activewear brand in town, and this one speaks with a British accent. London-based Sweaty Betty opened its first two U.S outposts last year, one in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood, and one in Greenwich, Conn. A third is expected to open in 2014.

Devastating sourcing and supply chain disasters, including the Bangladesh factory collapse in April 2013, have increased the push for retailers and other businesses to implement sustainable and responsible practices across the global supply chain. Tamara Saucier, VP industry – retail solutions, GT Nexus, discussed the topic, and proactive measures retailers can take, with Chain Store Age.

What can retailers be doing to ensure ethical and sustainable supply chain practices?

Houston, Texas — Baker Katz has acquired four retail properties throughout the greater Houston area — in the neighboring cities of Port Arthur, Lake Jackson, Beaumont and Tomball.

The Port Arthur property is a 90,000-sq.-ft., single-tenant building purchased from the Sutherland Lumber Co. for an undisclosed amount. Baker Katz plans to renovate the building and convert it to a multi-tenant space. Hobby Lobby has signed a 58,000-sq.-ft. lease, and Party City has signed a lease for 13,000 sq. ft.

360pi, a leader in retail price and product intelligence, has unveiled the latest generation of its 360comparables solution targeted to address the unique challenges and opportunities presented by private label brands.