Apparel

New York – The fast-growing Francesca’s Holdings Corp. plans to open 76 stores in 2012.

The Houston-based women’s apparel and accessories retailer, which targets young women, has opened 21 new stores so far in 2012, with plans to open 55 additional locations by year-end.

Currently, Francesca’s operates 304 locations nationwide.

By Seth Broman, [email protected]

Despite news of a slowly recovering economy, small businesses are still being overwhelmingly turned down for bank loans. Tight credit restrictions and high loan eligibility requirements are leaving retailers with a lack of access to credit, stunting their ability to prosper and contribute to economic growth.

BENSALEM, Pa. — Charming Shoppes has announced that Jeffrey Liss has been promoted to SVP general manager of Charming Direct, the company's direct-to-consumer business.

Bensalem, Pa. -- Charming Shoppes announced that Jeffrey H. Liss has been promoted to senior VP - general manager of Charming Direct, the company's direct-to-consumer business.

Liss, who previously served as senior VP and COO of Charming Direct, will have full responsibility for Charming Shoppes’ direct-to-consumer and e-commerce businesses, including the company's retail brands' related e-commerce businesses and Figi's, its food and gift business.
 

Columbus, Ohio -- The Limited on Friday will open a 4,300-sq.-ft. store in Westfield Galleria Mall, Roseville, Calif., one of four new locations the chain will open this year in California. The women’s apparel retailer is also completely remodeling a fifth, representing 21,000 gross sq. ft. of new retail space in the Golden State.

Voorhees, N.J. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust announced that The Sporting Club fitness center has opened a 13,000-sq.-ft. satellite location at Voorhees Town Center, located in Voorhees, N.J.

Located on the Boulevard, Sporting Club joins Firecreek Restaurant + Bar, Doghouse Gourmet Burgers, Coffee Works Café, Rizzieri Studio Salon, Rizzieri Aveda School for Beauty & Wellness, Rizzieri School for the Healing Arts, and It’s A Doggie Dog World, which just opened in early March.

CINCINNATI — Paul Varga, chairman and CEO of Brown-Forman Corp., has been elected to the Macys Inc. board of directors.

New York -- Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th announced that it plans to reopen its Nashville, Tenn., store on March 29.

Located next to the Grand Ole Opry House, the approximate 27,500-sq.-ft. store will be located in the Opry Mills Shopping Center. Operated by Simon Malls, upon completion, the center will be the largest shopping outlet in Tennessee, with over 200 stores, multiple restaurants and an in-house movie theater.

The reopening marks Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th’s return to Opry Mills after it was closed by floods in May 2010.