Apparel

When the Supreme Court ruled that a sex discrimination case against Walmart wasn’t worth of class action status that was supposed to end things. Wrong.

WASHINGTON — NRF reported that total back-to-school spending on grades K to 12 is expected to reach $22.8 billion. According to NRF’s 2011 Back-to-School survey conducted by BIGresearch, families with children in grades K to 12 will spend an average of $603.63 on apparel, school supplies and electronics, within a few dollars of last year’s $606.40 average. 

Dallas -- A Wednesday report in the Dallas Business Journal said that Neiman Marcus has hired a new chief human resources officer.

Sandra Brooslin-Viviano joined the company on July 18 as senior VP human resources, succeeding the newly retired Maritea O’Dea.

Brooslin-Viviano, 55, was previously executive VP human resources for New York and Co.

NEW YORK — Macy’s announced that its Karl Lagerfeld capsule collection will arrive in about 235 Macy's stores and on Macys.com beginning Aug. 31.

“To me Macy’s is the perfect department store in the United States where everybody can find what they're looking for without ruining their budget,” said Karl Lagerfeld. “That’s why I am happy to make this limited collection just for Macy’s.”

NEW YORK — Reality TV star Audrina Patridge will continue her partnership with Iconix Brand Group and will appear in a television commercial for the company's Bongo brand, which is sold exclusively at Kmart and Sears.

Houston -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased 8,600 sq. ft. of retail space in Houston to four new tenants.

In The Woodlands, Zoës Kitchen leased 3,018 sq. ft. at Sterling Ridge Village Center, bringing the center to 100% occupancy.  The restaurant is slated to open in December. Optometry office Woodland’s Eye Center leased 2,019 sq. ft. for an October opening at Indian Springs Center, bringing the center to full occupancy.

PLANO, Texas  — JCPenney said Tuesday that its veteran marketing chief Mike Boylson has retired from the company. His successor will be selected by newly minted CEO Ron Johnson in what will be the former Apple executive’s first senior-level appointment at JCPenney.

Boylson was with the department store chain for more than three decades, the last eight years as chief marketing officer. He said in June he would retire from the company on July 1, according to a JCPenney spokeswoman.

Simpsonville, S.C. -- Centro Properties Group US announced two retailers will be joining Fairview Corners, located in Simpsonville, S.C.
 
Wild Oats Brewery will occupy a 4,556-sq.-ft. space; Upstate Gold Exchange will occupy a 1,500-sq.-ft. space.
 
Centro Properties Group, based in New York City, is the owner of Fairview Corners.