Apparel

Roswell, Ga. -- On the heels of announcing its PGA Tour Superstore opening in Schaumburg, Ill., the company announced that Downers Grove will be the site for the second PGA Tour Superstore in the Chicago area.

Bensalem, Pa. -- Charming Shoppes has promoted Bryan Eshelman to executive VP, chief supply chain officer. Eshelman started with the chain in 2010 as senior VP operations.

Eshelman retains his previous duties of overseeing technology, logistics, technical design and quality assurance. His new responsibilities include directing the retailer’s global direct sourcing from buying offices in such locations as Hong Kong and India, and ensuring supply chain compliance with trade and customs regulations.

NEW YORK — Hudson's Bay Company, the Canadian retail conglomerate, and one of the oldest department-store operators in the world, announced Tuesday that it has completed its acquisition of its affiliate, Lord & Taylor Holdings, LLC, the U.S. department-store company.

According to a company press release, Hudson's Bay will now operate the two leading retail banners in North America, The Bay and Lord & Taylor. Prior to the transaction, Hudson's Bay Company and Lord & Taylor were side-by-side affiliate entities.

LEXINGTON, Mass. — Collective Brands Performance and Lifestyle Group has announced the appointment of Rick Blackshaw as president of the Keds brand. Blackshaw has extensive footwear experience with brands including Converse, Timberland, and the former division of Reebok, Avia, and most recently served as VP and general manager for the Chuck Taylor All Star Division of Converse Inc. He will start in his new role Jan. 24 and succeeds Kristin Kohler Burrows who recently departed the position to pursue career opportunities closer to her home in New York. 

New York City -- Coach Inc. reported Tuesday that net earnings for the quarter ended Dec. 31 rose 15% to $347.5 million, compared with $303.4 million in the year-ago period.

Sales increased 15% to $1.45 billion, beating Wall Street’s expected $1.43 billion in revenue.

London -- A report released Tuesday by Bloomberg said that U.K. clothing chain Bonmarche will close as many as 160 out of 390 stores after its owner Peacock Group sold the chain to an affiliate of Sun European Partners.

KPMG administrated the transaction; the new buyer said that about 2,400 of 3,800 jobs will be retained.

The report said that KPMG had been seeking a buyer for Bonmarche since being appointed earlier this month as administrator to Peacock, which also owns Peacock’s Stores Ltd., a U.K. discount apparel chain.

Lexington, Mass. -- Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group announced on Tuesday the appointment of Rick Blackshaw as president of the Keds brand, effective immediately.

Blackshaw, who most recently served as VP and general manager for the Chuck Taylor All Star Division of Converse, succeeds Kristin Kohler Burrows, who left to pursue other opportunities. 
 

Dallas -- HR solution-provider PeopleAnswers and Canada-based Town Shoes, which sells under Town Shoes and The Shoe Co., announced Tuesday that Town Shoes will use the PeopleAnswers pre-employment and employee selection solution in its 124 stores across Canada.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Regency Centers announced it has closed on the acquisition of its first New York property, the 141,382-sq.-ft. Lake Grove Commons, for $72.5 million with its co-investment partner First Washington Realty.

Located on Long Island, Lake Grove Commons is a Class A property anchored by the only Whole Foods Market in Suffolk County along with LA Fitness and Petco. Built in 2008, the center is fully leased to six national tenants.

Naperville, Ill. -- Brixmor Property Group announced a 4,000-sq.-ft. Gymboree Play and Music recently opened at Westridge Court, located in Naperville, Ill.

Brixmor, based in New York City, is the owner of Westridge Court.