Apparel

DALLAS — Zale Corp. announced that Brad Furry has been named SVP, CIO. Furry will have responsibility for all information technology strategy and operations functions throughout the company. He will report to Matt Appel, chief administrative officer and CFO.

“We are pleased to welcome Brad to the Zale team. Brad has a demonstrated track record of leveraging information technology in a retail environment,” said Matt Appel. “I am confident he will elevate the impact of technology on our efforts to return the company to profitability.”

Chelmsford, Mass. -- Kronos said Tuesday that its latest Kronos Retail Labor Index, which characterized the current state of the demand and supply sides of the labor market within the U.S. retail sector for the month of August, was unchanged from the month prior. The index, which defines the ratio of hires to applicants within a given month, expressed as a percentage, was unchanged at 3.5% in August 2011, as both hires and applications increased slightly, all on a seasonally adjusted basis.

San Jose, Calif. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space in San Jose, Calif., to a new concept by Petco at Snell & Branham Plaza.

Specializing as a smaller neighborhood Petco store with pet supplies, products and pet food, Unleashed by Petco has leased 4,467 sq. ft. of space. The business is slated to open in fall 2011, bringing the center to 97% leased.

Dickson City, Pa. -- Conshohocken, Pa.-based Metro Commercial announced Tuesday that it has brokered a 52,450-sq.-ft. lease for Hobby Lobby Stores at Kohl’s Plaza in Dickson City (Lackawanna County), Pa., about eight miles northeast of Scranton.

Construction on the space is currently underway and the new location is expected to open in February 2012.

The new location is Hobby Lobby’s fifth in Pennsylvania.
 

Riverside, Calif. -- Chicago-based General Growth Properties said that its Galleria at Tyler mall property, located in Riverside, Calif., has named Christina Riojas as its marketing manager.

Riojas' marketing duties will include the coordination and implementation of strategic advertising, public relations, budgeting, retailer relations and special events.  She most recently comes from Lake Elsinore Outlets (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) as marketing director.

New York City -- Robert K. Futterman & Associates said Tuesday it has secured the first U.S. location for upscale designer footwear brand Nicholas Kirkwood at 807 Washington St. in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District.

Located between Gansevoort and Horatio Streets, the 1,572-sq.-ft. ground-floor boutique is scheduled to open in the winter of 2012.

Redwood City, Calif. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space to Pier 1 Imports at Sequoia Station, located in Redwood, Calif., bringing the shopping center to 100% leased.

Pier 1 leased 11,898 sq. Ft. and is slated to open in February 2012.

The 102,848-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by Safeway alongside national retailers such as Old Navy, CVS/pharmacy, Barnes & Noble Booksellers and Johnny Rockets.
 

Armonk, N.Y. -- Apparel sales are expected to post year-over-year gains during the fall shopping season (August, September and October), with especially big increases in children's apparel, according to an analytics-based forecast by IBM.

Sales in children's apparel this fall are expected to total $2.6 billion, an 11.1% increase over the prior-year period. Women's apparel sales are projected to total $9.2 billion, up 3.1% over last year.

In Fall 2001, Steiner + Associates and Georgetown Co. completed the second phase of mixed-use trendsetter in Easton Town Center, Columbus, Ohio -- and a decade later, the 1.7-million-sq.-ft. development stands as testament that the right project in the right location with the right uses can survive even the most trying economic conditions.

Chain Store Age talked with Yaromir Steiner, CEO of Columbus-based Steiner + Associates, about Easton’s staying power during a recession, and its continued evolution as it strives to remain relevant.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us annonced that in honor of Halloween it is opening dedicated in-store "spook"tiques offering a broad assortment of costumes and accessories, safety gear, candy and more. The retailer said it will also host a special trick-or-treat event in its stores nationwide on Saturday, Oct. 29.