Apparel

Global retailer slowing down U.S. expansion
Did Japanese retailer Uniqlo miscalculate its appeal to American shoppers?

The company, a division of Fast Retailing, is moving into the slow lane with regards to its U.S. expansion. Uniqlo now plans to open only five U.S. locations in its current fiscal year, which began on September 1, 2015, after opening 17 in its most recently completed year.

Uniqlo, which has more than 1,600 stores worldwide, operates 43 stores across the United States.
A familiar face returns to Tilly's as CEO
Teen apparel and footwear retailer Tilly's has tapped an executive who previously led the company to fill the shoes of Daniel Griesemer who stepped down as president, CEO and a member of the board effective Oct. 7.

Ross Dress for Less opens new Virginia store Oct. 10

Ross Dress for Less will open a new store in Dulles Landing, Virginia on Oct. 10.

The 25,000-sq.-ft. store is located in the Dulles Landing Shopping Center, adjacent to the Washington-Dulles International Airport.

The opening is part of the retailer’s 2015 expansion program, totaling approximately 70 new locations during the year.
BIG USA, RED Development add five properties to recently launched joint venture

Phoenix -- BIG Shopping Centers USA and RED Development announced the addition of five retail assets totaling nearly 1.5 million sq. ft. in Arizona, Nebraska and Wisconsin to their recently launched joint venture BIG RED Portfolio.

The joint venture was launched in late 2014 with the acquisition of Camelback Colonnade in Phoenix. With the recent acquisition the portfolio now consists of nine retail assets totaling nearly three million sq. ft. in three states.
GGP launches first-ever marketplace in San Francisco

San Francisco -- General Growth Properties announced the launch of the first-ever marketplace at Stonestown Galleria’s in San Francisco. The marketplace is a partnership with SFMade, a California 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that promotes goods and services manufactured, designed and produced in the Bay Area.
Saks to debut new store concept

Saks Fifth Avenue is expanding further into the specialty store business.

The retailer announced plans to open a 21,000-sq.-ft. store devoted to jewelry and contemporary women’s ready-to-wear in Greenwich, Connecticut. Earlier this year, Saks announced plans to open a standalone shoe store concept, 10022-Shoe, also in Greenwich.

Saks already operates a women’s-only store in Greenwich, which it opened in 1997.

All three of the Saks stores will be in walking distance of one another.
Changing of the guard at Ann Inc.

Ascena Retail Group named a new executive to lead its recently acquired Ann Inc. division.
Tis the season for executive changes

The same day that TJX announced the retirement of its CEO, Ascena Retail Group named a new executive to lead its recently acquired Ann Inc. division.
Survey: Consumers like new ‘shoppable media’ trend

Not only is a picture worth 1,000 words, but it may be worth $1,000.

A new survey from Adobe shows that consumers have a very positive response to “shoppable media” – online images and videos that serve as direct transactional tools.
Ross Dress for Less opens new North Carolina store Oct. 10

Ross Dress for Less will open a new store in Elizabeth City, North Carolina on Oct. 10. The 18,000-sq.-ft.store is located in Tanglewood Pavilions.

The opening is part of the retailer’s 2015 expansion program, totaling approximately 70 new locations during the year.
Ross Dress for Less opens 274th California store Oct. 10

Ross Dress for Less will open a new store in Redlands, California on Oct. 10. The 24,000-sq.-ft. relocation is in Mountain Grove at Citrus Plaza, and is being moved from its previous location at Tri-City Center.

With this location, Ross will operate 274 stores in its largest state. The opening is part of the retailer’s 2015 expansion program, totaling approximately 70 new locations during the year.
Ross Dress for Less opens two Texas stores Oct. 10

Ross Dress for Less will open two new stores in Texas on Oct. 10. A 28,000-sq.-ft. North El Paso store is located in Sunland Park Mall, and a 25,000-sq-ft. North Tarrant store is located in Presidio Crossing.

These openings are part of the retailer’s 2015 expansion program, totaling approximately 70 new locations during the year.