Apparel

Boulder, Col. -- More consumers are trying new fashion retailers this year compared to last year – and most are buying when they do. H&M is the retailer that consumers reported visiting for the first time most often, followed by Kohl’s, Macy’s, Abercrombie & Fitch and Forever 21.

New York -- Saks Fifth Avenue announced Monday that John Cruz has been named SVP and director of the New York City flagship store, effective April 29.

Cruz currently serves as VP and general manager of the company’s Beverly Hills store. He has worked at the NYC store before – as general manager 2005-2007 and VP and GM 2007-2010.

Cruz replaces Suzanne Stemper-Johnson, who is leaving Saks to pursue other interests.

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. -- Mid-America Asset Management said it has signed three furniture/home décor stores to retail locations in Chicago’s suburbs of Oak Brook and McHenry as well as downstate in Bloomington, Ill.

Ashley Furniture signed a lease for 31,573 sq. ft. at Colonial Plaza in Bloomington, Ill., with plans to open in spring 2013. Ashley Furniture will co-anchor the 236,460-sq.-ft. center along with Kmart and OfficeMax.

BOULDER, Col. — H&M is the fashion retailer that consumers reported visiting for the first time most often, followed by Kohl’s, Macy’s, Abercrombie & Fitch and Forever 21.

That’s according to a survey of 4,000 consumers by Market Force Information, a global customer intelligence solutions company, which found that 39% had tried a new retailer in the past three months, an increase from 32% in 2011 and 14% in 2010.  

New York -- A Monday report by Reuters said that Limited Brands has temporarily changed its name to L Brands Inc. The report cited a Friday regulatory filing.

The operator of Victoria's Secret and Henri Bendel is implementing a pre-planned transition process that was required after the 2010 sale of Limited Stores, LLC.

The company is expected to announce a new permanent name in the coming months.

WARRENDALE, Pa. — Teen apparel retailer Rue21, opened its 900th store on March 21 in the Southern Hills Shopping Center of West Plains, Mo. The 5,000 sq. ft. store is the company's 21st location in that state.

New York -- Tiffany & Co.’s fourth-quarter net income inched up 0.7%, but its results still topped analysts’ predictions as strong demand in Asia helped to offset domestic weakness. The company also offered an annual sales outlook that topped analysts' estimates, citing its strong prospects in most Asian markets.
    
For the quarter ended Jan. 31, Tiffany earned $179.6 million, compared with $178.4 million in the year-ago period. Revenue increased 4% to $1.24 billion.
     

Camp Hill, Pa. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust announced that DSW has opened a 17,500-sq.-ft. store at PREIT’s Capital City Mall property, located in Camp Hill, Pa.

The mall completed the space for DSW — the retailer’s first in the area — by building on an additional 5,000 sq. ft.