Apparel

Chad Kessler was named chief merchandising and design officer at American Eagle Outfitters after the company reported a big decline in third-quarter profits and said it expects fourth quarter same-store sales to decline.

Nashville, Tenn. – Genesco’s net earnings fell 34% to $27.7 million, from $42.1 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2013 for Genesco. The company also reported a slight increase in net sales, to $666.3 million from $664.4 million, during the same period.

Pittsburgh – American Eagle reported disappointing results for the third quarter of fiscal 2013. Net income plummeted 68% to $24.9 million from $78.6 million, missing Wall Street projections.

Total net revenue of $857 million decreased 6% compared to $910 million last year. Same-store sales fell 5%.

Houston — Simon Property Group has announced four new leases for The Galleria in Houston.

Rolex will open an 1,800-sq.-ft. store next summer in Galleria I. Taking 2,815 sq. ft. Tourbillon will open its first Houston store in Galleria II in the early summer of 2014. Tod’s will debut in Houston with a 2,000-sq.-ft. store opening in Galleria I in early summer 2015. Trina Turk will open a 1.400-sq.-ft. store in the fall of 2014 in Galleria I.

New York -- J. Crew Group Inc.'s third-quarter earnings rose 6.8% on improved sales.

For the period ended Nov. 2, J. Crew reported a profit of $35.4 million, up from $33.2 million, a year earlier.

Revenue increased 11% to $618.8 million. Same-store sales role 5%.

Retail store sales grew 7.3% to $420.2 million, while direct sales climbed 21% to $189.8 million.

Boulder, Colo. -- Nordstrom is North America’s overall favorite fashion retailer for the second consecutive time, according to a new study of more than 6,800 consumers conducted by Market Force Information (Market Force), a provider of customer intelligence solutions.

Kohl’s is the most visited for casual clothing, business attire and children’s clothing, while Dick’s Sporting Goods won out for sports apparel and DSW for footwear.

Cincinnati -- Macy’s announced an agreement for Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s stores to anchor the new Mall at Miami Worldcenter, to be built in downtown Miami. Current plans call for the stores to open in fall 2016.

Miami Worldcenter, a major mixed-use project with retail, hotel, residential and convention space, is being planned by The Forbes Company and Taubman Centers.

Dallas – Fifteen Dallas-area retailers are pilot testing Cartwheel Register, a free mobile checkout app that provides an intuitive and secure store system while creating a next-generation shopping experience for customers. Retailers in the pilot include gift shops, cafes, clothing boutiques, bakeries, caterers, food trucks and salons throughout the city and surrounding areas. Each business will use Cartwheel Register to perform credit, debit, cash and Skip Wallet transactions.