Apparel

Greensboro, N.C. -- RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust and Tanger Factory Outlet Centers announced Tuesday they will acquire two outlet centers in the Montreal area.

The pair will co-purchase Les Factoreries St. Sauveur and Bromont Outlet Mall for about $94.7 million Canadian dollars.

RioCan will provide development and property management services and Tanger will provide leasing and marketing services.  The properties will be rebranded as Tanger Outlets.

Both transactions are slated to close in November 2012.

Bolingbrook, Ill. -- Ulta Beauty said Monday that it has named DSW Inc. president and CEO Michael MacDonald to its board of directors, effective Oct. 24.

Prior to joining DSW in 2009, MacDonald served for three years as chairman and CEO of ShopKo Stores. Prior to that, he spent 16 years with Carson Pirie Scott and with Saks Inc. after it acquired Carson Pirie Scott in 1998.

Katy, Texas -- After placing some restricted Houston Astros merchandise on the sales floors of several of its Houston stores, Academy Sports + Outdoors issued a formal apology to the Major League Baseball team and its fans.

"We express our apologies to Houston Astros fans, our partners at the Houston Astros ball club, along with Major League Baseball for inadvertently releasing the new Astros t-shirts in limited quantity," said Rodney Faldyn, Academy Sports + Outdoors president and CEO.

Minneapolis -- Christopher & Banks Corp. said Monday it has named LuAnn Via president and CEO, effective Nov. 26.

Via, also named to the retailer’s board of directors, succeeds Joel Waller, who will remain in a consultative capacity through June 30, 2013.

Since July 2008, Via has served as president and CEO of Payless ShoeSource, a subsidiary of Collective Brands, which recently was acquired.

Dallas -- Jewelry wholesaler and retailer DGSE Cos. said Friday it has named James J. Vierling as president, CEO and chairman of the board.

Vierling, previously president of Southern Bullion Coin & Jewelry which was recently acquired by DGSE, succeeds William Oyster in all three positions.

Toronto -- Canadian luxury fashion retailer Holt Renfrew & Co. said Monday it will launch a new discount chain called hr2, with a first store in March in Quebec, followed by planned locations across the country by 2015.

It said the stores will range in size from 25,000 sq. ft. to 35,000 sq. ft., smaller than Holt Renfrew’s nine department stores, and targeting women age 25 and up.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced the completion of its increased investment in Yihaodian, a fast-growing Chinese e-commerce company. The chain now holds an approximate 51% stake in the Yihaodian holding company.

"This investment demonstrates we are committed to the development of e-commerce in China and bringing the best possible shopping experience to Chinese customers," said Neil Ashe, president and CEO of Wal-Mart's Global e-commerce division in a statement.

Value fashion retailer Primark’s new flagship on Oxford St. (at Tottenham Court Rd.) spans some 82,300 sq. ft. over four floors. Designed by Dalziel & Pow, London, the store has a bold, modern look,  complete with a faux tube station, a massive LED screen and colorful graphics. Digital integration is a key element, with specially commissioned brand films playing on the exterior wall of the elevator lifts. An animated store map is featured on the elevator walls and throughout the store to help with customer navigation.