Apparel

ST. LOUIS — Brown Shoe Company announced that it has made four strategic additions to the leadership team within its American Sporting Goods division, appointing James Hoff as VP sales across all ASG brands, Alan Vickers as VP international, Brad Little as VP and brand manager Avia and Nevados, and Jorge Cabrera as VP athletic product development.

San Francisco -- Gap will open two Athleta store this week in Manhattan’s Upper East and Upper West side neighborhoods. The openings mark the women’s active wear brand’s entry into the East Coast market, and support Athleta’s plan to open up to 50 stores by 2013.

“Entering New York is a significant milestone for us as we aim to grow our share of the $31 billion women’s active wear market,” said Scott Key, senior vice president and general manager of Athleta.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Children will be returning to school in a matter of weeks, and many of them will be joining or returning to some sort of sporting activity. Enter Sports Authority, which is answering the need for sporting goods by opening six news stores on Aug. 13. The six new stores will open in five states nationwide, in the major markets of Miami, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Chicago and Milwaukee, the company reported.

The store locations will be as follows:

• Miami Beach, Fla. at 3401 N. Miami Ave.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — After exceeding more than $2 million in food and donations, Meijer announced that it once again has launched the Simply Give campaign throughout its stores.

SECAUCUS, N.J. — Ashley Stewart, manufacturer of plus size apparel, announced that its board of directors has appointed Celia Clancy as president and CEO. 

The outlet mall industry has undergone a major transition during the past decade and has never been better positioned for future success. This is a significant change from 10 years ago when a stale product mix targeted to a transient shopper base had raised serious questions about the viability of the outlet mall.

Englewood, Colo. -- Sports Authority said Tuesday it will open six new stores on Aug. 13.

The new stores will open in five states, and include the major markets of Miami, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Chicago and Milwaukee.
 

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Regency Centers said Monday it has acquired Rockridge Center, a 125,213-sq.-ft. grocery-anchored neighborhood center in Plymouth, Minn.

The property was purchased in an off-market transaction for $20.5 million from private real estate development company Hempel Properties.

This is the second grocery-anchored shopping center acquisition by Regency within 45 days.

Philadelphia -- Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust announced that almost half-a-million sq. ft. of leasable space was signed or opened across its mall portfolio since the end of April.

According to PREIT, leases have been executed with J.C. Penney, Nordstrom Rack, Bravo Cucina Italiana and Forever 21 at Willow Grove (Pa.) Park, in the reconfigured space formerly occupied by Strawbridge’s.

Cincinnati -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space to two tenants at Hyde Park Plaza, located in Cincinnati.
 
Primary healthcare clinic Doctors Express has leased 3,474 sq. ft. and Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt has leased 2,406 sq. ft., bringing the center to 96% leased.

Both tenants are slated to open this fall.
 
The 396,861-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by Kroger and Biggs, alongside national retailers such as Michaels, Massage Envy, Panera Bread, Starbucks and Staples.