Apparel

New York -- Saks Fifth Avenue has launched a talent acquisition page on Facebook. The new “Careers at Saks” Facebook page will allow prospective job applicants to interact directly with Saks Fifth Avenue’s talent acquisition team, search available positions and keep up with Saks Fifth Avenue. The Facebook newsfeed will include “Jobs of the Day,” career and interview tips, and other pertinent updates weekly.

LOS ANGELES — Nearly half of U.S. shoppers plan to spend more this back-to-school shopping season than in 2011, according to the latest PriceGrabber survey.

Pooling responses from 4,450 U.S. online shopping consumers, with 1,509 of the respondents planning to shop this back-to-school season, 46% said they plan to spend more this year that in 2011, while 35% said they plan to spend the same amount (compared with 52% that expressed this sentiment in 2011) and 19% are looking to spend less this year (compared with 35% in 2011).

Plano, Texas -- In an announcement that caught the retail industry by surprise, J.C. Penney Co. said that Michael Francis will be leaving the company, effective June 18. Chief executive Ron Johnson will assume direct responsibility and oversight of the company's marketing and merchandising functions.

Greensboro, N.C. -- Tanger Factory Outlet Centers and Gordon Group Holdings have entered into an agreement to develop an upscale outlet center at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn., on the Mashantucket Pequot Indian Reservation.

Foxwoods Resort Casino is the largest casino complex in the United States by gaming square footage. Foxwoods attracts approximately 16 million annual visitors, an average of more than 40,000 people per day. 

Tarrytown, N.Y. -- DLC Management Corp., which owns Stone Mountain Square in Stone Mountain, Ga., said Friday that Big Lots has opened a 26,355-sq.-ft. store at the shopping center.

Big Lots co-anchors the center with Ross Dress for Less, T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, Dot’s and Anna’s Linens.
 

Suffern, N.Y. -- Ascena Retail Group on Friday said that it has completed its acquisition of Charming Shoppes. The company also announced that it plans to cease operating and close down Charming Shoppes’ Fashion Bug business by early 2013, and is exploring a potential sale of Charming Shoppes’ Figi’s business, which markets food and specialty gift products.

In 2011, Charming Shoppes closed 124 Fashion Bug stores. The chain had previously announced its intention to continue to close certain Fashion Bug stores.

HONG KONG — Esprit Holdings' chairman has unexpectedly resigned, just one day after the sudden departure of CEO Ronald van der Vis.

Chairman Hans-Joachim Korber said he is leaving for personal reasons, while van der Vis’s reasons were described as “personal and family.” CFO Chew Fook Aun left the company on June 1.

London -- A report issued by C.B. Richard Ellis on Friday said that global shopping center development has reached unprecedented levels of construction and new openings, fueled by growing middle classes and retailer expansion.

According to the most recent research by CBRE, which measured shopping center development activity in 180 of the world’s major cities – including 2011 completions and space currently under construction – 318.6 million sq. ft. is currently under construction and about 84 million sq. ft. opened in 2011.