Apparel

TJX in store expansion push
While other retailers make news by posting grim first quarter results and closing stores., the nation’s leading off-price retailer is making headlines by doing just the opposite. Amid strong first quarter results that included a 7% rise in same-store sales, TJX Cos. said it plans to open about 150 more stores during the rest of this year, on top of the 47 stores it opened in its first quarter.
L.A.'s Manhattan Village gets major makeover
The Manhattan Village Shopping Center in Los Angeles County serves some of the nation’s wealthiest zip codes which explains why JLL is leading a $150 million investment in a redesign and expansion of the mixed use center. The planned multi-phased renovation will bring new life to the 573,000-sq.-ft. shopping and dining destination that occupies 44 acres and serves the South Bay cities and Silicon Beach areas of Los Angeles County, according to JLL.

Target sales stall in Q1

Target Corp.’s ongoing recovery stalled a bit in the first quarter as the chain joined the list of retailers posting disappointing Q1 sales amid cool, unspring like weather and sluggish retail spending. But it was not all gloom and doom for the discounter, whose online sales continued their upward course and whose profit topped estimates.
Momentum 2016: The supply chain goes digital

The Momentum 2016 conference held by Manhattan Associates May 15-17 in Orlando, Florida offered attendees plenty of insightful sessions and interesting information about how omnichannel commerce is affecting the supply chain. First, let’s review some data points shared by Brendan Witcher, principal analyst, e-business and channel strategy, Forrester Research:
Help wanted: Francescas seeks CEO

Francesca’s Holdings is looking for a new CEO after the abrupt departure of former Chairman, President and CEO Michael Barnes and weaker than expected first quarter guidance caused the company’s shares to plummet.
Art of the deal: TJX wins again with 7% Q1 comp

Shoppers love a deal – the perception of one anyway – which explains how TJX Companies continues to defy gravity by posting another quarter of strong same store sales growth and improved profitability.
Target names new top merchant, creates chief digital officer role

Target on Tuesday announced the hire of Mark Tritton as EVP and chief merchandising officer. In this role, Tritton will oversee enterprise buying, product design and development, sourcing, visual merchandising strategy and merchandising transformation and operations for the retailer.
Robert Redford’s newest Sundance store opens in Oregon

The lifestyle retailer named after the famous film festival started by Robert Redford continues to grow its retail footprint and has added a store in the Northwest. The Bridgeport Village shopping center in the Portland, OR., suburb of Tigard is the location of the newest Sundance store which offers women’s and men’s apparel, footwear, jewelrey, accessories, art, and home décor.
C-Suite: Steve Tanger on the outlook for outlet centers

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers operates, owns or has an ownership interest in 42 shopping centers nationwide that encompass 14.3 million square feet. The company’s centers are home to more than 3,000 stores operated by 470 different retailers, which affords Tanger President and CEO Steve Tanger a unique vantage point on the retail industry. He spoke recently with Chain Store Age about the outlet shopping industry his father pioneered 35 years ago.
UGG celebrates 10th anniversary with trip to Disney

The Disney Springs collection of retail and entertainment offerings in Lake Buena Vista, FL is home to the newest UGG brand flagship store.
Gordmans grabs Bon Ton ops exec

Veteran Bon-Ton Stores executive Michael Ricart has joined value-priced department store chain Gordman’s Stores as senior vice president of stores.
Tiffany on hunt for new CFO

The chief financial officer of Tiffany & Co. is stepping down. The high-end jeweler disclosed in a regulatary filing that CFO Ralph Nicolette is resigning, effective May 20, 2016. Nicolette, who was appointed to the position In April 2014, is leaving to become CFO of consumer products company Newell Brands Inc. (Newell was formerly known as Newell Rubbermaid.) Prior to Tiffany, Nicolette was CFO of Cigna Corp., and Alberto Culver.