Apparel

Seattle -- Online jewelry retailer Blue Nile announced that CEO Diane Irvine has resigned from the company, effective Nov. 11.

Vijay Talwar, senior VP and general manager of international, has been appointed interim CEO. During the transition period, chairman Mark Vadon will take an active role in the leadership of the company, working closely with Talwar. Vadon will also lead the search for a permanent CEO.
 

Philadelphia -- Urban Outfitters Inc. announced a series of management changes across all its brands, including naming David W. McCreight to the new position of CEO, Anthropologie Group, effective Nov. 15.

McCreight, 48, most recently served as president of Under Armour, from 2008 until 2010. Prior to that, he was president of Lands' End from 2005 to 2008.

Secaucus, N.J. -- Syms Corp. said that its stock will be delisted as of November 15, 2011 and that Nasdaq will file a Form 25-NSE with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which will remove the company’s securities from listing and registration on the Nasdaq.

This decision by Nasdaq comes following Syms announcement on November 2, 2011 that it and its subsidiaries filed petitions for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.
 

BOULDER, Colo.— Kohl’s is the nation’s favorite fashion retail chain, according to an annual consumer survey conducted by Market Force Information, a worldwide leader in customer intelligence solutions. This is the third year in a row that Kohl’s has earned the top spot. Nordstrom ranked as consumers’ second favorite, followed by Macy’s, Dillard’s and JCPenney. Rounding out the top ten were Coldwater Creek (6), Ann Taylor Loft (7), T.J. Maxx (8), Old Navy (9) and Marshalls (10).

The low single-digit apparel-and-accessories comps increase Target reported in October put the company squarely in the middle of the pack with department store and specialty apparel competitors.

Suffern, N.Y. -- Ascena Retail Group announced that John Sullivan has been appointed executive VP and COO.

In this newly created position, Sullivan will be responsible for information technology, distribution, and human resources information systems across all brands. Prior to joining the company, he served as executive VP and CIO for QVC.
 

Central Ohio’s largest mall opened 10 years ago, and has continued to improve and evolve over a sometimes tumultuous decade, thanks to a hands-on management approach by its owner Glimcher Realty Trust, based in Columbus, Ohio.  Chain Store Age talked with Michael Glimcher, president and CEO of Glimcher Realty Trust, about Polaris Fashion Place and how it has stood the test of time.

In its 10-year history, how has Polaris Fashion Place changed/evolved over the decade, especially during the more recent recessionary climate?

When a major mall wants to create a stir, adding a premier department store retailer such as Bloomingdale’s will usually do the trick.

In early November, Chicago-based General Growth Properties announced that it will add Bloomies as an anchor to its Glendale Galleria property, in Glendale, Calif. As well, said GGP, the center will undergo an expansive renovation, incorporating aesthetic updates to both the interior and exterior of the property.

New York City -- Brixmor Property Group said Friday that four national tenants – Books-A-Million, Big Lots, Dick’s Sporting Goods and REI – will occupy former Borders locations in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Michigan and North Carolina.

Bethesda, Md. -- Retail brokerage Streetsense said Monday that Tucson, Ariz.-based fashion re-seller Buffalo Exchange will open its first store in Washington, D.C., in the first quarter of 2012.

Buffalo Exchange leased a two-level, 4,245-sq.-ft. store in the heart of the city’s 14th Street corridor. Streetsense also has been engaged to do the design and interior architecture for the store, which will be its 42nd U.S. location.