Apparel

SAN FRANCISCO — Bed, Bath & Beyond will test the fitness waters in April and offer Fitmark bags at select California locations to see how well the high-end travel bags fare with customers. 

Bed, Bath & Beyond customers can find the bags in an entirely new category for the store, aimed at fitness enthusiasts.

Corpus Christi, Texas -- Fort Worth, Texas-based Trademark Property Co. announced that TJX Cos. concepts T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods will open this fall at The Shops at La Palmera, a 200,000-sq.-ft. outdoor shopping center in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Construction has already begun on the 44,750-sq.-ft. space accommodating the two new stores, which will be located adjacent to one another, each with a separate store entrance. The Shops at La Palmera store marks T.J. Maxx’s first in Corpus Christi. HomeGoods is new to market also.

Cherry Hill, N.J. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) said that Crumbs Bake Shop recently opened its first area location at Cherry Hill Mall, in Cherry Hill, N.J.

The 200-sq.-ft. foot kiosk is a dessert supplement to major Cherry Hill Mall dining players such as Grand Lux Café, Bobby’s Burger Palace, California Pizza Kitchen, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Seasons 52, The Capital Grille, and Bahama Breeze.

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. — GS1 US has appointed two supply chain veterans to its industry engagement team. Melanie Nuce has been named VP of apparel and general merchandise and Michael Pheney has been named VP of healthcare.

HUDSON, Ohio — Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores has added The Ohio State University to its assortment of exclusively licensed collegiate fabrics.

“We are thrilled to offer fans of The Ohio State University this exclusive-to-Jo-Ann line of fleece and cotton fabrics,” said Susan Starcher, buyer of fleece, warm and licensed fabric for Jo-Ann. “Our customers love to show their school spirit, and no other retailer offers a more diverse selection of college and university fabrics than Jo-Ann.”

Tiffany & Co.’s dazzling jewel box in downtown Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood captures the retailer’s signature elegant feel and  heritage of craftsmanship. The interiors of the 7,000-sq.-ft. store, the jeweler's third outpost in New York City, were designed by select artisans who put their own spin on some traditional Tiffany design motifs.

LOS ANGELES — Guess has appointed Hillary Super as SVP, general merchandise manager for, reporting to Paul Marciano, co-founder and CEO.

"We are delighted to have a leader like Hillary at Guess.  She understands the Guess brand and values, and will lead a team of talented merchants," said Paul Marciano. "Her relentless focus on brand integrity, execution, and on the customers has allowed her to grow great businesses, and her accomplishments as a leader are exemplary."

New York -- A report by the Wall Street Journal on Friday said that hedge fund Barington Capital Group is pressing Jones Group Inc. to slim down by divesting parts of its portfolio.

Citing an unidentified source, WSJ said that Barington – in a meeting earlier this month – urged Jones to hire financial advisers to analyze many of the company’s 35-plus to pare down the portfolio and focus on its core and emerging brands.