Apparel

Tenants revealed at Fremaux Town Center for Phase II of development
Slidell, La. -- Stirling Properties and CBL & Associates Properties announced new tenants and updates to Phase II of Fremaux Town Center in Slidell, Louisiana.

Newly signed tenants include: Books-A-Million, moving from its current location at Northshore Square Mall, will occupy 7,500 sq. ft. and is expected to open on March 3; Five Below will occupy a 8,024 sq. ft. space and is expected to open April 6; Allure Nail Spa, and LensCrafters are opening spring of 2016.
Vineyard Vines to open NYC flagship as part of ongoing retail expansion
A brand best known for its whimsical neckties and smiling pink whale logo is opening a flagship in the Big Apple.

Vineyard Vines will open a 6,000-sq.-st. store in Grand Central Station. The company is also slated to open stores at Somerset Collection, Troy, Michigan, in early May, at Hyde Park in Tampa, Florida, in August, and at Stanford Town Center in mid-March and The Village of Corte Madera in mid-June (with the latter two locations in California).

The Limited enjoys happy returns

Specialty retailer The Limited is attempting to build loyalty even when a customer isn’t satisfied with a purchase.

The Limited is deploying Narvar Returns, a solution from post-purchase experience platform provider Narvar. Narvar Returns provides customers with an intuitive digital experience where they can select eligible items from their order, share feedback and choose the most convenient return method.
There’s a new sheriff at specialty apparel retailer

Irvine, California-based specialty Western and workwear retailer Boot Barn is laying down the law.
Startups Spotlight: Brands on the Rise

January is a tech bonanza for retail, with interesting, innovative and sometimes downright out-there new technologies and brands on display at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and the National Retail Federation’s Big Show in New York City. It’s nearly impossible to keep track of every startup out there, but here’s a selection of the most promising ventures that should be on your radar.

Reemo
More change at American Apparel

American Apparel has lost one of its veteran executives. Martin Bailey, who headed up manufacturing for the company, has resigned, Fashionunited.com reported. Previously, he served as president and VP of operations for American Apparel, which recently emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. [Fashionunited.com]
Foot Locker names new leaders

Foot Locker named new CEOs to lead the athletic retailer’s North America and International divisions.

President and CEO Richard Johnson announced the promotion of Stephen D. (Jake) Jacobs to the position of executive vice president and CEO of North America and Lewis P. Kimble to the position of executive VP and CEO of International, effective Feb. 29.
Ollie’s offer size increased

Demand for shares of Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is such that the retailer has increased the size of a secondary offering.
Target and Under Armour at SPECS 2016

Two of the nation’s leading retail companies, Target and Under Armour, are on board to offer dynamic presentations at the upcoming SPECS conference in Dallas.

Go behind-the-scenes with Target as the retailer reviews its new Open House concept, and details how a decidedly non-conventional retail space has upped the innovation ante while also providing a testing ground for future in-store innovations on a broader scale.
Apparel supplier expanding retail footprint again

The combination of 80 new stores and a 20% increase in e-commerce is expected to drive double digit growth of VF corp.’s business in 2016.
Executive shake-ups, lay-offs at Bebe

Bebe stores has brought back its founder and former CEO to lead a turnaround effort that includes a 15% reduction in its corporate workforce.

The troubled retailer announced that founder Manny Mashouf has rejoined its management team as CEO, replacing Jim Wiggett, who was hired less than two years ago. Mashouf previously served as CEO from the company’s founding in 1976 to 2004, and then again from 2009 until the beginning of 2013, when he stepped down and became non-executive chairman.
Macy’s partners with Olympian Shaun White on clothing line

Macy’s and Shaun White have joined forces to create a new and exclusive menswear line that reflects White’s adrenaline-pumping, eclectic style.

The Gold Medal snowboarder and skateboarder has ended his eight-year partnership with Target and will launch a new collection, called WHT SPACE, at Macy's. The collection will consist of fashion-forward staples that are highly wearable and capture the faster sides of White’s style. The limited-time collection will be available in approximately 175 Macy’s stores and on macys.com in mid-June.