Apparel

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney has been named the No. 1 retailer on Diversity's annual ranking of "Top 50 Companies for Diversity," which recognizes leading organizations for best practices in diversity management.

It is the second consecutive year that the company has earned its place on the list, moving up 11 spots to No. 35 overall.

Chicago -- Accertify, a provider of software, tools and strategies for preventing fraud and a subsidiary of American Express, announced that Abercrombie & Fitch has implemented its Interceptas fraud prevention platform to enhance the retailer's ability to protect against credit card fraud in its direct-to-consumer business.

Greenwood Springs, Ind. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space in Greenwood Springs, Ind., to two new tenants at Greenwood Springs shopping center.

Cannoli Queen has leased 1,400 sq. ft. of restaurant space and Superior Discount Liquors has leased 2,800 sq. ft. of retail space. The businesses are slated to open in the spring.

The 292,827-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by Walmart and Gander Mountain alongside national retailers such as Sport Clips and Buffalo Wild Wings.

Cherry Hill, N.J. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said that its Cherry Hill Mall property, located in Cherry Hill, N.J., will welcome three new retailers this spring and summer.

Lids Locker Room opened in March, and two shoe retailers, Traffic and Clarks, are slated to open this summer.

New York City -- Robert K. Futterman & Associates said that it represented buyer The Georgetown Co. in the acquisition of 35 North State Street, a 60,000-sq.-ft. building in Chicago, for $23 million.

The building is currently net-leased to Old Navy and serves as the retailers’ Chicago flagship. 

Columbus, Ohio -- Tarrytown, N.Y.-based DLC Management Corp. said that Shoppers World has signed a lease at Northern Lights Shopping Center in Columbus, Ohio. The 40,805-sq.-ft. apparel/variety merchandise retailer signed an eleven year lease and will join a dominant tenant lineup at this 361,000-sq.-ft. shopping center including Kroger, Marshall’s, Sears Outlet, and Citi Trends.

Shoppers World is expected to open in the summer.

New York City -- Prudential Douglas Eilliman’s Retail Group announced that in less than two weeks after arranging the sale of a multi-level retail condominium at 1086 Madison Avenue, the retail sales and leasing team of Faith Hope Consolo, chairman, and Joseph Aquino, executive VP, have leased the boutique space to luxury handbag and accessories importer Muska Milano. 

Cincinnati -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space in Cincinnati, at Hyde Park Plaza to The Snooty Fox.

An upscale consignment shop, The Snooty Fox has leased 5,000 sq. ft., bringing the center to 96% leased. It is slated to open for business this summer.

The 396,861-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by a 99,675-sq.-ft. Kroger and a 69,592-sq.-ft. Biggs alongside national retailers such as Michaels, Massage Envy, Panera Bread, Starbucks and Staples.

Olympia Sports announced that, effective Sept. 1, Dick Coffey, president, will be retiring.  Coffey has served Olympia Sports for more than 35 years, and for the last 12 years he has served as president. He will continue to be involved after his retirement as a member of the company’s board of directors and will consult on new store growth.

The company has named Ed Manganello, general merchandise manager, as our new president effective Sept. 1.  Manganello started his career with Olympia in 1992.

SEATTLE, Wash.  -- MOGO Design, a Seattle-based company that has developed a new and patented magnetic accessory line for tween girls, announced that it has signed a national distribution deal with Nordstrom. The deal will bring the MOGO charm line with more than 200 charms to all Nordstrom full-line store locations throughout the United States and is MOGO Design's large-scale debut into the fashion specialty retailer channel. MOGO is available in select locations now with the full roll-out to be complete by April 2011.