Apparel

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Vera Wang, famous for her sought-after wedding gowns, knows that many women dream of looking like a princess on that big day, so it makes sense that the designer would bring the "princess" concept to a younger set.

The designer has teamed up wth Kohl’s Department Stores to launch Princess Vera Wang, a juniors contemporary, premium lifestyle collection now available exclusively at Kohl’s stores nationwide and Kohls.com.

Foot Locker is debuting a new retail brand, The Locker Room, in the United Kingdom. The format was unveiled at the end of 2011, in Brent Cross Shopping Centre, North London. Two additional stores opened in spring 2012, in Birmingham’s Bullring shopping center, and in London’s Lakeside center.

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Larry Miller is rejoining Nike as president of the Jordan brand, the company announced Monday. Miller will be responsible for driving the global growth strategy for all aspects of the Jordan brand and will report directly to Trevor Edwards, VP global brand and category management for Nike.

Sandpoint, Idaho -- Private equity firm Golden Gate Capital has provided Coldwater Creek with a five-year, $65 million senior secured term loan. The retailer also announced the completion of an amendment to its $70 million revolving credit facility with Wells Fargo Capital Finance, which matures on May 16, 2016.

It may be back to basics in Walmart’s apparel department, but shoppers still crave discounted brands and fashion as evidenced by continued strength at some familiar retailers.

TJX and Ross Stores both posted same-store sales increases of 7% during June, and both companies used the occasion of the better-than-expected results to elevate their profits forecasts. TJX said June sales increase 9% to $2.3 billion, while Ross said its June sales increased 12% to $886 million.

Minneapolis -- Christopher & Banks Corp. has rejected Aria Partners’ unsolicited $64 million takeover offer, saying it was not in the best interest of stockholders. The private equity firm owns 4% of Christopher & Banks shares. The retailer also adopted a stockholder rights plan, or poison pill, with a trigger at 15%

Private equity firm Aria owns 4% of Christopher & Banks shares.

YONKERS, N.Y. — Retailers that cater to lower-income and higher-income consumers should be pleased with the most recent Consumer Reports Index, as those two groups showed the greatest improvement in consumer sentiment.

The Consumer Reports Index, an overall measure of Americans' personal financial health, saw a sharp improvement in its consumer sentiment measure, which jumped to its highest level since October 2008.

Moorestown, N.J. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said that video game retailer Play N Trade has opened a 1,712-sq.-ft. store at Moorestown Mall, located in Moorestown, N.J.

Moorestown Mall is a 1 million-sq.-ft. enclosed regional shopping mall anchored by Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, Sears and Boscov’s.