Apparel

Houston -- Men's Wearhouse said its president and COO, Douglas Ewert, will replace company founder George Zimmer as CEO in mid-2011.

Zimmer, 62, who founded Men's Wearhouse in 1973, will remain executive chairman of the board. The company said he would help Ewert with "strategic direction" for Men's Wearhouse and keep a hand in marketing decisions.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Kmart, LF USA and Latin World Entertainment Licensing announced the launch of a new lifestyle collection by renowned actress Sofia Vergara. Sold exclusively through Kmart, the collection will embody the "Modern Family" star's signature style of glamour and sexiness with an air of approachability, according to a press release.

The collection, which will include sportswear, dresses, handbags, jewelry, and footwear will be available at over 800 Kmart stores nationwide and Kmart.com beginning this fall.

Topeka, Kan. -- Payless ShoeSource announced that Vincent DeSantis has been promoted to senior VP and chief marketing officer for Payless, reporting to LuAnn Via, CEO of Payless.

Honolulu, Hawaii -- Colliers Monroe Friedlander, an affiliate of Colliers International, said that BlackSand Capital, LLC, a Hawaii-based real estate investment firm, acquired Pearlridge Uptown II from Inspiration International, LLC.

Cleveland -- Forest City Commercial Management announced the appointment of Kym Espinosa as marketing director for Promenade Temecula, a regional lifestyle center in Temecula, Calif.

Espinosa, who has more than 20 years of experience in the shopping center industry, is responsible for marketing program strategy and implementation for the 1.1 million-sq.-ft. retail center.

Youngstown, Ohio -- Cafaro Co. said Wednesday that teen retailer Justice is opening new stores at two of the company’s malls -- at Sundusky Mall, in Sandusky, Ohio, and at Kennedy Mall, in Dubuque, Iowa.

The new stores will open by early May. The Sandusky location will occupy over 4,000 sq. ft. of space, while the store at Kennedy Mall will be just over 3,300 sq. ft.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group said Wednesday that, effective Feb. 1, it will assume leasing, management and marketing duties at The Shops at Montebello, a Los Angeles-area shopping center.

The Shops at Montebello is a regional enclosed mall built in 1985 with approximately 758,000 sq. ft. The center is home to over 160 retailers and is anchored by Macy's, Macy's Home, J.C. Penney and Forever 21.

NEW YORK -- Iconix Brand Group has unveiled its spring 2011 multi-media advertising and marketing campaign featuring actress Vanessa Hudgens for its junior brand, Candie's.  Candie's is sold exclusively at Kohl's Department Stores nationwide and Kohls.com.  

Pearl River, N.J. -- Katz & Associates, the exclusive broker for Eastern Mountain Sports, announced that the retailer has executed a lease for a 3,000-sq.-ft. flagship on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

The two-level store, EMS’ second to date in Manhattan, will be located on the southeast corner of Broadway and West 76th Street. It is scheduled to open this fall.

The retail industry will grow by 5.1% in 2011, the strongest growth in four years, according to Customer Growth Partners 2011 Forecast and Outlook. The New Canaan, Conn.-based consulting and research firm projects that the industry will create over half a million new jobs in 2011, the most of any employment sector, and that retail sales will reach a record level of almost $2.9 trillion.