Apparel

The VF Corp. is adding some heavy duty retail expertise to its board of directors.

Oklahoma City -- GBT Realty Corp. announced the acquisition of 30 acres in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The site was purchased in January for $2.95 million. The company broke ground on development of the first phase of the $50 million The Market at Czech Hall, a 450,000-sq. ft. regional neighborhood center last week.

Phase one includes the construction of 180,000-sq. ft. of retail, along with seven outparcels. The first tenant expected to open fall 2016.

The nation’s gambling capital is getting another high-end retail center, this one with Paris accents.

Wynn Las Vegas announced the development of Wynn Plaza, a 75,518-sq.-ft. luxury retail center. Debuting fall 2017, the complex will support the existing luxury retail collection at Wynn Las Vegas and Encore, as well as bring the shopping experience to the high traffic area bordering Las Vegas Boulevard.

A cloud computing/e-commerce giant heads up Fast Company’s annual ranking of the 10 most innovative companies in retail.   Amazon not only topped the retail sector category, it also came in number one in the overall World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies listing. (Rounding out the top five: Google, Uber, Apple and Snap.)      

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores has added some human resources heft to its executive ranks.

Saks Fifth Avenue revealed additional details about its entry into the Canadian market.

The company will open its first-ever store up north, at CF Toronto Eaton Centre, on February 18, 2016, followed by a second location, at CF Sherway Gardens, on February 25. Both centers are in Toronto.

A Nordic lifestyle store has made its London debut.

Inspired by the hybrid café and retail concepts commonly found in Scandinavia, Blåbär features homeware and accessories from up and coming designers, vintage furniture and its own branded products all in a café environment serving Swedish foods and drinks.

DSW is expanding its e-commerce capabilities with a deal to acquire Ebuys Inc., an online off-price footwear retailer with a presence in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.

DSW announced that the purchase price includes an upfront payment of $62.5 million as well as future payments contingent on the performance of Ebuys, Inc. The deal is expected to close within the next 30 days.

National Harbor, Md. -- JLL announced that it has been retained by MGM Resorts International to lease the luxury retail promenade in its newest development, MGM National Harbor located in Prince George’s County, Maryland. MGM National Harbor will encompass 308 hotel rooms, a 125,000-sq.-ft. casino, 12 world-class food and beverage venues, a 27,000-sq.-ft. spa, a 3,000-seat theater and 18,000 sq. ft. of high-end luxury retail space expected to open in fourth quarter 2016.

Tailored Brands, formerly Men’s Wearhouse, vowed more changes after its Jos. A Bank division logged a 31.9% decline in same store sales.