Apparel

NEW YORK --Liz Claiborne said Friday that Edgar Huber, CEO of Juicy Couture, will be assuming a new position as executive VP global business development for Liz Claiborne, effective Feb. 14.

The company said Huber will continue to report to William L. McComb, CEO, Liz Claiborne.

LeAnn Nealz, president and chief creative officer, and John DeFalco, CFO and COO, will jointly manage the Juicy Couture business while the leadership structure for the brand going forward is determined, according to McComb.

New York City -- Barneys New York CEO Mark Lee said Monday that he has plans to launch a renovation program for existing stores as well as an overhaul to the retailer’s website.

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Lee said at a Monday morning breakfast that changes will be substantial, as the retailer has the largest renovation budget for existing stores that Barneys has seen in at least seven years.

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney Co. said Monday it is expanding its in-store digital presence by rolling out the Findmore smart fixture to more than 120 stores across the United States.

The kiosk fixtures feature 42-inch touch screens that link store customers to J.C. Penney’s website. They also provide inventory information and scan bar codes on in-store items to give shoppers additional product information and features,

New York City -- Crate and Barrel, along with Finnish textile and design company Marimekko, said Friday they are extending their longtime collaboration to roll out more than 20 shop-in-shops in Crate and Barrel stores across the United States and Canada over the next three years.

The launch kicks off this spring with four new shop-in-shop locations: New York (Madison Avenue), Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. In addition, a Marimekko e-commerce 'shop' will be added to the Crate and Barrel website later this season, according to both companies.

Los Angeles -- American Apparel announced Friday that it has named John J. Luttrell as executive VP and CFO, and moved its current CFO Adrian Kowlewski into the position of executive VP corporate strategy, effective Feb. 7.

Luttrell was previously CFO of Gap’s Old Navy brand.

NEW YORK -- Liz Claiborne said Friday that Edgar Huber, CEO of Juicy Couture, will be assuming a new position as executive VP global business development for Liz Claiborne, effective Feb. 14.

The company said Huber will continue to report to William L. McComb, CEO, Liz Claiborne.

LeAnn Nealz, president and chief creative officer, and John DeFalco, CFO and COO, will jointly manage the Juicy Couture business while the leadership structure for the brand going forward is determined, according to McComb.

Orlando, Fla. -- The Wilder Cos. and CNL Commercial Real Estate said Friday that three new retailers and a new eatery will open at Rialto, located in Orlando, Fla.

Wilder, the developer and owner of RIALTO, said iStudio Salon, The Spectacle Shop, You Nails and Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches will open this spring through early summer.

Rialto is a 350,000-sq.-ft. mixed-use project that is slated to include more than 75,000 sq. ft. of retail and restaurants, 50,000 sq. ft. of Class A office space and 200 luxury residential units.

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney Company has launched a new exclusive concept, Modern Bride, in its stores and online.

The concept, a collaboration with Conde Nast, is designed to cater to today's bridal customer. Located in the rear of the fine jewelry department to provide an intimate customer experience, the Modern Bride in-store shops are detailed with their signage, distinctive fixtures, in-case lighting, displays and packaging, along with specially trained associates.

Brisbane, Calif. -- Bebe Stores reported a loss for its second quarter as bad weather cut into sales and it closed some stores.

The clothing company posted a loss of $2.7 million for the quarter compared with a profit of $2.4 million in the same period last year.

Revenue fell 2% to $132.7 million for the period that ended Jan. 1.

Same-store sales were flat for the quarter, compared with a drop of 22.5% a year earlier.

New York City -- January saw strong growth across most retail categories, continuing the positive performance from fourth quarter 2010, albeit at a slightly slower pace, according to MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse, a report on national retail and services sales that is based on aggregate sales activity in the MasterCard payments network and survey-based estimates for other payment forms, such as cash and check.