Apparel

MINNEAPOLIS — Target report a moderately better than expected 5.3% same-store sales increase for September that was driven by broad-based gains in all categories and geographic regions, the company reported Thursday. The increase was almost entirely due to larger average transaction sizes and came on top of a prior year increase of 1.3%. The company also noted that customer traffic as measured by comparable-store transaction increase a little more than 1%.

Brisbane, Calif. -- Bebe Stores reported Thursday that revenue for the quarter ended Oct. 1 rose 7.1% to $116 million, missing Wall Street’s expected $124.1 million in sales.

Same-store sales for the quarter rose 7%.

The apparel retailer said it is focused on international growth and expects its international licensees will grow by up to 30 freestanding stores and 30 shops inside department stores in the fiscal year.

NEW YORK — American Eagle Outfitters announced that it has teamed up with Cotton Incorporated to launch a denim recycling program at more than 850 American Eagle Outfitters stores and 47 college campuses across the United States.

New York City -- Marimekk, the Finnish textile and clothing design company, will open a flagship in New York City, on Oct. 6. Located on Fifth Avenue in the Flatiron District, the store will act as a showcase for new products.

The NYC store is based on the same concept as the Marimekko flagship opened in Helsinki earlier this year. Both locations were designed by the Japanese architectural firm IMA in cooperation with Marimekko's own shop design team.

NEW YORK — Gilt Groupe has announced that Andrew Page has been promoted to the role of president from CFO, effective immediately. Page will report directly to Kevin Ryan, Founder and CEO. In his new position, Page will have operational responsibilities for Gilt's various business units, including Women's, Gilt MAN, Gilt Children, Gilt Home, Gilt Taste, Park & Bond, and Gilt City.

New York City -- Saks Fifth Avenue will close its store in downtown Pittsburgh in 2012, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported. The news follows negotiations between the retailer, the store’s landlord and city officials over funding for renovations to the building.

New York City -- Prudential Douglas Elliman's Retail Group said it has successfully orchestrated a buy-out/lease disposition at 46 East 57th Street for jewelry house Buccellati, and simultaneously arranged its move to 810 Madison Avenue.

The Milan, Italy-based company has closed the East 57th Street store after more than four decades and will open in a new location on the "Jewel Mile" between 67th and 68th Streets.

Buccellati will take immediate possession of the former Bonpoint store at 810 Madison Avenue.
 

Madison, Wis. -- Lee & Associates’ Madison office said it has completed $2.8 million of leases at The Shoppes at Hartford; a 24,000-sq.-ft. retail center in Hartford, Wis. 

Located next to a new Wal-Mart Super Center, Lee Madison had the center 75% pre-leased before construction commenced and 100% leased before construction was finalized. Construction commenced April 1, and all tenants are expected to open before Christmas 2011.