Apparel

Columbus, Ohio – Lane Bryant opened four new stores on Nov. 1. The stores are located at University Mall in Carbondale, Ill., and Bey Lea Plaza in Toms River, N.J.

The retailer also opens two refreshed stores on Nov. 1, at Pavilion Center in Dallas and Las Palmas Marketplace Shopping Center location in El Paso, Texas.

Chicago — Athletic shoe and apparel retailer ASICS has signed a 5,254-sq.-ft. lease in Chicago’s Bucktown area. According to RKF, who represented the landlord, 1630 Damen LLC c/o Jenel Management Corporation in negotiations for the long-term lease, this will be Asics’ first store in the Midwest and third in the United States when it opens early next year.  

Blatteis & Schnur represented Windsor Financial Group, an independent licensee of AsicsAmerica in negotiations.

Hampstead, Md. -- Jos. A. Bank Clothiers said that it will consider increasing its $2.3 billion buyout offer for Men's Wearhouse. The retailer also said that it would drop its proposal in two week if Men's Wearhouse did not enter into discussions.

 In a letter sent to Men's Wearhouse CEO Douglas Ewert, Jos. A. Bank chairman Robert Wildrick said that if the talks are not held by that date it will pull its offer so that it can consider other strategic options that it has been investigating.

Redwood Shores, Calif. – Toms — the company that gives a pair of its shoes or provides eye care to a person in need for every corresponding purchase — has deployed the Oracle Commerce platform to support its rapid business growth and international expansion.

Quincy, Mass. -- J.Jill is debuting a new store prototype in four locations across the country: Short Hills, N.J.; Huntington Station, N.Y.; King of Prussia, Pa.; and San Diego, Calif.

“The new approach to store design is based on our understanding of what is important to our customers,” said Paula Bennett, CEO and president, J.Jill. “We want to delight her with our beautiful, versatile collections and inspire her confidence with our guiding service. The new stores offer her a very warm welcome."

Century 21 has enlisted retail concierge service Hobson to offer same-day delivery to hotels and homes in Manhattan from their downtown flagship location.

For “a small fee,” customers will be able to drop off their purchases at the Century 21 Hobson booth on the ground floor of the newly renovated store for guaranteed same-day delivery.

By Craig Johnson, president, Customer Growth Partners

Alameda, Calif. -- MBH Architects appointed team members Eddie Hall and Joanna Wong to associates and has hired Paula DeLiso as its new business development representative.

As an associate, Eddie Hall will be taking on more of a leadership role within the internal operations of the company while maintaining his position in MBH’s retail studio, where he recently worked on Portland CityTarget.