Apparel

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. — Wet Seal has terminated the employment of its CEO, Susan McGalla, and has begun a search for a new executive to head the struggling young women's apparel retailer.

Until such a person is found, Wet Seal president and COO and Steve Benrubi, CFO, will serve as co-principal execuitve officers and members of the office of the chairman, led by Hal Kahn, until a new CEO is elected by the board of directors.

For the month-to-date, Wet Seal's comps have declined between 13% and 14%.

Woodbridge, N.J. -- Fameco Real Estate said it has leased retail space at Plaza Square in Wayne, N.J., bringing the center to full occupancy.
 
The 104,000-sq.-ft. center, owned by Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers, is anchored by ShopRite with Bank of America, Dollar Power, Bensi Italian Restaurant and Wendy’s. Recent lease signings include Great Clips, Hand & Stone, C2 Education and GNC.
 

Bedford, Ind. -- Beachwood, Ohio-based Chase Properties said it has acquired Williams Crossing in Bedford, Ind., from Horne Properties.

Williams Crossing is a 50,000-sq.-ft. shopping center that is shadow-anchored by a Super Walmart. Other tenants in the center include Dollar Tree, Maurices, Shoe Show and Hibbett Sports. Marcus & Millichap brokered the sale.
 

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif. — Teen retailer Hot Topic has named Kate Horton as VP, general merchandise manager for itsTorrid division, which retails fashion apparel, lingerie and accessories for young women who wear sizes 12 and up.

Reporting to Hot Topic Inc. chairman and CEO Lisa Harper, Horton will drive the merchandising strategy for Torrid, leading a team of merchants to develop an assortment of fashion apparel that is reflective of the brand’s position, is enticing to consumers, and drives sales and profit margins.

Niles, Ohio -- Kearney, Neb.-based teen retailer The Buckle said it has opened a new location at Eastwood Mall in Niles, Ohio.

The store, the company’s 21st in the state, celebrated its grand opening on July 16.
 

ARMONK, N.Y. — In-store sales of women’s clothing are expected to see a 9.2% increase in the third quarter of 2012 versus the year-ago period, according to a just-released IBM analytics-based forecast of U.S. retail sales data. The report predicts a 6.2% increase in sales of children’s clothing and a 5.2% increase in footwear. Men’s clothing, however, is forecast to lag, dropping 6.7%.

Katy, Texas -- Soma Intimates said it will open a new boutique at LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch, located in Katy, Texas.

The new store is slated to open July 23.

A joint venture of Houston-based Vista Equities Group and Denver-based Amstar Group, LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch is a mixed-use town center development located within the 7,600-acre master planned community of Cinco Ranch.

Phase I of LaCenterra opened March 1, 2007 with approximately 170,000 sq. ft.
 

NEW YORK — The Estée Lauder Cos, whose brand portfolio includes Bumble and Bumble, American Beauty, Aveda and La Mer, has appointed Tracey Travis as EVP and CFO.

She will jointly report to executive chairman William Lauder and Fabrizio Freda, president and CEO. Travis will assume her new position on Aug. 20.