Apparel

Strong third-quarter sales at footwear retailer Finish Line and elevated expectations for the full-year were attributed to the company’s approach to integrated commerce.

Sales for the third quarter ended November 30 increased 22.9% to $364.5 million and same store sales advanced 7.1%. Profits increased to $2.3 million from a prior year loss of $107,000 at the operator 658 athletic footwear stores and 198 branded footwear departments at Macy’s.

Moreno Valley, Calif. — Image, a junior fashion retailer, has re-opened at the Moreno Valley Mall in Moreno Valley, Calif., with a big brand new image. The new store has expanded to 10,000 sq. ft. and is located on the lower level between Crazy 8 and Sports Treasure, according to Spinoso Real Estate Group, the mall’s property manager.

New York -- The Jones Group has accepted a buyout offer of $15 per share in cash, or a total of approximately $1.2 billion, from private equity firm Sycamore Partners. Upon completion of the deal, Jones, whose brands include Nine West, Anne Klein and Easy Spirit, will become a privately held company.

Indianapolis -- Finish Line reported net earnings of $1.59 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, a return to profitability after reporting a net loss of $809,000 in the same period of the prior fiscal year.

Consolidated net sales were $364.5 million, up about 23% from $296.6 million and ahead of the $353 million projected by Wall Street.

A two-year product development process has come to an end at Bauer Hockey where the company has introduced a new line of equipment, including a futuristic full body suit, made of ultra light materials to be worn by the world’s best players in February.

Alameda, Calif. — Carter’s, a children’s clothing and accessories retailer, has signed a 10-year lease for a 4,178-sq.-ft. store at Alameda South Shore Center in Alameda, Calif., according to Jamestown, a real estate investment and management firm.

The new store, located close to Kohl’s, is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2014. SRS Real Estate Partners represented Carter’s in the transaction.

Bedminster, N.J. — Liberty Travel has leased a 1,853-sq.-ft. space at The Hills Village Center in Bedminster, N.J., according to Levin Management, the exclusive leasing and managing agent for the property.

Relocation Realty represented Liberty Travel in the transaction. Liberty’s neighbors in the 109,800-sq.-ft. center include Kings Supermarket, CVS, Starbucks, Great Clips, Cold Stone Creamery, The UPS Store, GNC and Subway.

Seattle – Nordstrom plans to open two new Nordstrom Rack stores in fall 2014. The approximately 35,000-sq.-ft. stores will be located at Tempe Marketplace in Tempe, Ariz. and Plaza at Jordan Creek in West Des Moines, Iowa.

The Tempe property is owned and managed by Vestar and the Plaza at Jordan Creek is being co-developed by Hurd Real Estate Services, Inc. and Signature Real Estate Services, Inc.