Apparel

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Kmart, LF USA and Latin World Entertainment Licensing announced the launch of a new lifestyle collection by renowned actress Sofia Vergara. Sold exclusively through Kmart, the collection will embody the "Modern Family" star's signature style of glamour and sexiness with an air of approachability, according to a press release.

The collection, which will include sportswear, dresses, handbags, jewelry, and footwear will be available at over 800 Kmart stores nationwide and Kmart.com beginning this fall.

Youngstown, Ohio -- Cafaro Co. said Wednesday that teen retailer Justice is opening new stores at two of the company’s malls -- at Sundusky Mall, in Sandusky, Ohio, and at Kennedy Mall, in Dubuque, Iowa.

The new stores will open by early May. The Sandusky location will occupy over 4,000 sq. ft. of space, while the store at Kennedy Mall will be just over 3,300 sq. ft.

Topeka, Kan. -- Payless ShoeSource announced that Vincent DeSantis has been promoted to senior VP and chief marketing officer for Payless, reporting to LuAnn Via, CEO of Payless.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group said Wednesday that, effective Feb. 1, it will assume leasing, management and marketing duties at The Shops at Montebello, a Los Angeles-area shopping center.

The Shops at Montebello is a regional enclosed mall built in 1985 with approximately 758,000 sq. ft. The center is home to over 160 retailers and is anchored by Macy's, Macy's Home, J.C. Penney and Forever 21.

Honolulu, Hawaii -- Colliers Monroe Friedlander, an affiliate of Colliers International, said that BlackSand Capital, LLC, a Hawaii-based real estate investment firm, acquired Pearlridge Uptown II from Inspiration International, LLC.

Cleveland -- Forest City Commercial Management announced the appointment of Kym Espinosa as marketing director for Promenade Temecula, a regional lifestyle center in Temecula, Calif.

Espinosa, who has more than 20 years of experience in the shopping center industry, is responsible for marketing program strategy and implementation for the 1.1 million-sq.-ft. retail center.

The retail industry will grow by 5.1% in 2011, the strongest growth in four years, according to Customer Growth Partners 2011 Forecast and Outlook. The New Canaan, Conn.-based consulting and research firm projects that the industry will create over half a million new jobs in 2011, the most of any employment sector, and that retail sales will reach a record level of almost $2.9 trillion.

Chicago -- Lemont, Ill.-based Englewood Construction said Wednesday it has embarked on five new projects -- four in the Midwest and one in Washington, D.C.

In the Chicago area, Englewood has been tapped for three new retail projects, including the interior build-out for a new Trader Joe’s coming to the city’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Trader Joe’s will occupy 14,801 sq. ft. of first-floor retail space, topped by a two-story parking deck. The new store is slated to open in April.