Apparel

Basking Ridge, N.J. -- Eighty-five Verizon Wireless Communications Stores across the country have been awarded the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star certification, placing Verizon Wireless among the top third of retailers with certified buildings nationwide and the leading wireless retailer.

Additionally, 41 Verizon Wireless stores have received LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

Gap Inc. wants international and online sales to account for 30% of its revenues within two years and a restructuring announced this week is expected to play a role in facilitating that growth.

The company said it would consolidate four existing international business units into one under the leadership of Stephen Sunnucks, a 30-year retail veteran who joined Gap five years ago.

San Francisco -- Gap said Tuesday that it is establishing an international division, based in London, to ramp up overseas growth, and will open its first Old Navy stores abroad -- in Japan -- by 2012.

Gap said it has set a goal for international and online sales to make up 30% of its total by 2013, up from 22% in 2010 and 14% in 2006. The new international division will oversee stores across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Asia Pacific and South America.

Hot Topic has always strived to reflect the tastes, interests and attitudes of its customers and the newest evolution of its prototype is no exception. The store, in Santa Monica, Calif., and designed in collaboration with JGA, Southfield, Mich., is sleek and transparent. It mirrors the world of Hot Topic’s tech-savvy customers by seamlessly blending social and technological components into the shopping experience. The end result is a highly interactive environment; from access to online music-listening to stations where shoppers can co-create their own designs for t-shirts.

I’m not much of a follower of astrology and the signs of the zodiac, but I do know that 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit on the Chinese calendar.

It seems somehow fortuitous that speed and agility define a year that is all about economic recovery. And retail is moving forward at a rate that, while not exactly hare-like, is at least faster than the proverbial tortoise.

PITTSBURGH -- KidsVoice, an organization which advocates for abused, neglected and at-risk children, announced that American Eagle Outfitters will be the presenting sponsor for its events during Child Abuse Prevention Month, which include Kitetails & Cocktails on April 28 and Kites for Kids on April 30. Both events will take place at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium.

One creative child will win a $5,000 scholarship!

HOUSTON -- Douglas Ewert will become CEO of Men’s Wearhouse effective at the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting on June 15, when founder and current chairman and CEO George Zimmer steps down.

Atlanta -- A report released Monday by First Data Corp., which tracks year-over-year same-merchant activations, redemptions and reloads of merchant-branded prepaid cards in the United States, including spending, gift, incentive and promotional cards, revealed that delayed post-holiday redemptions and incentives drove activations in first quarter 2011.

Highland Village, Texas -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space in Highland Village, Texas, at The Shops at Highland Village to The Lash Lounge.

The Lash Lounge has leased 2,000 sq. ft. and is slated to open this summer.

The 352,000-sq.-ft. mixed-use lifestyle center is anchored by AMC 12 Theaters and Barnes & Noble Booksellers alongside national retailers such as Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Bath & Body Works and Potbelly Sandwich Works.

Oxnard, Calif. -- New York City-based Centro Properties Group announced that Wet Seal has opened a 6,000-sq.-ft. store at Esplanade Shopping Center, located in Oxnard, Calif. 

The new store celebrated its grand opening on April 16.

Centro Properties Group is the owner of Esplanade Shopping Center.