Apparel

Burlington, Mass. -- Demandware said Tuesday that Crabtree & Evelyn has re-launched  its U.S. e-commerce site, Crabtree-evelyn.com, on the Demandware Commerce platform. In addition, Crabtree & Evelyn is leveraging Demandware’s web design capabilities to extend the online shopping experience to smartphones and tablets.

The 500+-store Crabtree & Evelyn also plans to use Demandware Commerce to support its global expansion strategy.

Los Angeles -- Bebe stores announced Wednesday the appointment of Michelle Landgrebe as EVP, general merchandising manager of its 2b division, effective immediately.

In her new role, Landgrebe will be responsible for merchandising, design, production, planning & allocation, and visual merchandising for the Bebe’s outlet division, b2.

She most recently served as VP, general merchandising manager at VF Corp.

NEW YORK — Global clothing retailer Uniqlo will become the exclusive, multi-year corporate sponsor of the Museum of Modern Art’s Friday night free admission program, beginning in May. 

The program provides free access to the museum and all exhibitions from 4 to 8 p.m., every Friday, throughout the year, a tremendous value considering the normal admission fee is $25.

It seems everywhere you turn there is yet another headline questioning whether traditional retail stands on the brink of extinction due to the rise of showrooming. And it’s not hard to see how the practice of visiting a brick-and-mortar store to try out a product before ultimately purchasing it through an online merchant got its start. As humans, we have an innate need to see, hear, smell, feel and manipulate objects in our physical world.

Dallas -- Venture Commercial said Monday that The Plaza at Preston Center, in Dallas, will see the Texas debuts of Sprinkles Ice Cream and True Food Kitchen this spring, and international retailers LUBLU Kira Plastinina and Aftershock London have selected The Plaza for their flagship U.S. stores.

Venture, which serves as the exclusive broker for the lifestyle center located in the heart of the Park City neighborhood, also said that Sprinkles Cupcakes and Calypso St. Barth are expanding and/or relocating their stores at The Plaza.

Cherry Hill, N.J. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) said that Crumbs Bake Shop recently opened its first area location at Cherry Hill Mall, in Cherry Hill, N.J.

The 200-sq.-ft. foot kiosk is a dessert supplement to major Cherry Hill Mall dining players such as Grand Lux Café, Bobby’s Burger Palace, California Pizza Kitchen, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Seasons 52, The Capital Grille, and Bahama Breeze.

Edgewater, N.J. -- North Plainfield, N.J.-based Levin Management Corp. said that Haven Riverfront Restaurant & Bar will open a 6,500-sq.-ft. location at Edgewater Harbor, in Edgewater, N.J.

The new restaurant, opening in June, becomes the latest eatery to join the dining component at the mixed-use development on Hudson County’s Gold Coast, according to Levin, the exclusive retail leasing agent for the property.

Essex, Vt. -- EWB Development announced the appointment of Daniel J. Cochran as a new partner and the head of the new Tenant Representation division at EWB.

Cochran’s 25-year retail and outlet background includes Phillips Van Heusen – where he was SVP of real estate and legal – and Coach, where he served as SVP of real estate and construction.

Corpus Christi, Texas -- Fort Worth, Texas-based Trademark Property Co. announced that TJX Cos. concepts T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods will open this fall at The Shops at La Palmera, a 200,000-sq.-ft. outdoor shopping center in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Construction has already begun on the 44,750-sq.-ft. space accommodating the two new stores, which will be located adjacent to one another, each with a separate store entrance. The Shops at La Palmera store marks T.J. Maxx’s first in Corpus Christi. HomeGoods is new to market also.

HUDSON, Ohio — Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores has added The Ohio State University to its assortment of exclusively licensed collegiate fabrics.

“We are thrilled to offer fans of The Ohio State University this exclusive-to-Jo-Ann line of fleece and cotton fabrics,” said Susan Starcher, buyer of fleece, warm and licensed fabric for Jo-Ann. “Our customers love to show their school spirit, and no other retailer offers a more diverse selection of college and university fabrics than Jo-Ann.”