Apparel

Hamilton, Bermuda - In a deal that would combine the two largest mid-tier jewelry chains in the United States, Signet Jewelers Ltd. has agreed to buy rival Zale Corp. for about $690 million dollars. Signet will offer $21 in cash for each Zale share, representing a 41% premium over Tuesday's closing price.

Hampstead, Md. - JoS. A. Bank Clothiers, Inc. has commenced a tender offer to purchase up to $300 million in value of shares of its common stock at a price of $65 per share. The closing price of the company's common stock on Feb. 18, 2014 was $54.20 per share.

New York — Xcel Brands has announced the opening of the Isaac Mizrahi New York store in Woodstock, Ga., a suburb of Atlanta. The 2,000-sq.-ft. shop will open on March 29.

Xcel Brands acquires, designs, licenses and markets consumer brands through an omnichannel sales strategy that includes interactive media, digital and brick-and-mortar retail. In 2011, the company acquired the Isaac Mizrahi New York designer apparel brand and an interest in Liz Claiborne

New York — Retail developer Edens has selected four finalists for its annual Retail Challenge, a nation-wide student competition for the most compelling new retail concept. The announcement of the winner kicks off this year’s smART: The Art of Retail conference.

Both the Edens Retail Challenge and smART aspire to incubate new ideas, share knowledge and identify the next generation of industry thought leaders.

Seattle -- Nordstrom announced plans to open a Nordstrom Rack at Redfield Promenade in Reno, Nev.

The store is scheduled to open in spring 2015. Redfield Promenade is owned and operated by Kimco Realty Corp.
 
"We're thrilled to bring a Nordstrom Rack to the Reno community," said Geevy Thomas, president of Nordstrom Rack. "This central retail location at Redfield Promenade is a good fit for us and we look forward to offering customers access to fashion at great prices when we open our doors next year."

A new concept from Jockey International, Jockey Bra offers shoppers an innovative shopping experience. The 1,170-sq.-ft. store, at Woodfield Mall, showcases Jockey’s revolutionary “volumetric” fitting system, which is designed to eliminate the frustrations associated with traditional bra shopping.  

In recent years, retailers have aggressively implemented in-store systems to track customers’ every move from the moment they enter till the moment they leave (hopefully including a trip through a checkout lane). Specific details such as how long customers spend in front of a display are also carefully monitored and analyzed. Technology now allows retailers to keep tabs on what customers do in the store almost as rigorously as they follow customer actions online.

Syracuse, N.Y. — Junior fashion retailer, Lexy, has expanded into a new 3,098-sq.-ft. store at Moreno Valley Mall in Moreno Valley, Calif. The new store opened on Feb. 14.

Managed by Spinoso Real Estate Group, the center is home to 130 stores and restaurants including a number of new arrivals. Crunch Fitness recently moved into a 20,000-sq.-ft space. Junior fashion retailer, Image, opened in December 2013.