Apparel

A Japanese lifestyle brand with a devoted following has opened an outpost in one of New York City's most hip neighborhoods that will serve as a model for future expansion.    Muji has opened a 7,300-sq.-ft. store in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. It is the retailer’s seventh store in the greater New York City area. In addition to New York, Muji has six locations in California, one in New Jersey and one in Boston. It plans to add more U.S. stores next year.  

Aptos has tapped an industry veteran to assist retailers on their transformation journeys.   The retail technology solution provider has named Vicki Cantrell as its retail transformation officer. In this newly created position, she will oversee Aptos functions for business consulting and strategy, value engineering, and strategic account management. Cantrell will also leverage her retail background to advise and support Aptos customers as they reinvent their businesses for omnichannel growth, profitability and customer loyalty.

Two experienced retail executives have joined the management team of the parent company of such brands as Men's Wearhouse and Jos.A. Bank.   

Destination Maternity is looking for a new chief executive.   The struggling maternity apparel retailer said that Anthony M. Romano is stepping down as president, CEO and board member as part of a mutual agreement, effective Sept. 7. Romano has served in the role since 2014, and, prior to that, was president and CEO of Charming Shoppes. His departure follows the recent termination of an agreement for Destination Maternity to be acquired by France's Orchestra-Prémaman.  

A board sports apparel retailer is taking steps to blend its physical and digital retail channels.   Billabong is leveraging the Aptos Singular Commerce platform to support omnichannel retailing across its global enterprise. The cloud-based solution will merge the retailers’ physical and digital retail channels, and create a single view of customers, inventory and orders, among other operations.   

Gap Inc. is shifting its emphasis to its two best-performing brands — and realigning its store portfolio to reflect its new emphasis.   

David Yurman has opened his first boutique on Michigan Avenue in Chicago.    Conceived by the Yurmans, the 3,250-sq.-ft. space reflects the brand's aesthetic and the family's unique artistic expression, and has a two-story historical façade that was maintained and restored to its original condition. The entrance lobby features a heritage wall that visually narrates the Yurmans' journey from art to jewelry with examples of David's early sculptures and wearable art pieces alongside more current designs.

It's a homecoming for Abercrombie & Fitch Co.'s next finance head.   The teen apparel retailer appointed Scott D. Lipesky as senior VP and CFO, effective October 2, 2017. Lipesky most recently served as CFO of American Signature Inc., a privately-held home furnishings company. Prior to that, he spent nine years with Abercrombie in a variety of finance roles, most recently as CFO of Hollister Co.  

The nation's largest retailer is gearing up for the holidays with the early return of its popular layaway program and stocking up on exclusive toys.    The program went into effect on Sept. 1. Again this year, there is no opening fee for customers to start a layaway account, and they only need to put down 10% (or $10, whichever is greater).   

Genesco Inc. announced that Mario Gallione has been named president of the company's Journeys retail division. He most recently served as chief merchandising officer of The Journeys Group.   Gallione will report to James C. Estepa, who will continue to serve as CEO of The Journeys Group. Estepa also remains a senior VP of Genesco. Gallione's appointment is intended as the first step in a succession plan to prepare for Estepa's eventual retirement.