Apparel

The Woodmont Company has hired Pendleton Mills real estate executive John Geddis to handle leasing at the firm’s growing outlet center portfolio. His title will be senior VP of brokerage services.   Geddis gained extensive experience on both the owner and tenant sides of the business in a 20-year career, with stints at Simon Property Group and General Growth Properties, as well as Samsonite. At Pendeton, he oversaw development for the company’s 50 owned retail and outlet locations.  

Saks Fifth Avenue is transforming its stores into a candy wonderland for the holidays.   The retailer’s holiday theme this year is called “Land of 1000 Delights” and it will appear in all 41 Saks’ full-priced stores in the U.S. and Canada. Jumbo swirl lollipops, whipped cotton candy and mounds of rock candy are just some of the colorful décor that will make up each store’s visual displays.    

L.L. Bean has opened its first store in Cincinnati, at The Kenwood Collection mixed-use center.   The 15,000-sq.-ft. store includes an outpost of the Freeport, Maine-based retailer’s Outdoor Discovery School, which offer demonstrations, clinics and introductory hands-on activities like snowshoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, archery and fly casting.  

J. Crew Group is exiting the bridal business, which it entered back in 2004.   The company has marked down its entire collection of wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses by up to 70% online and in stores, reported Business Insider.    Once the merchandise sells out, the retailer will no longer offer a wedding line, according to the report.  

On Nov. 16, the Mall of America will open the doors on a revolving collection of pop-up shops that will come and go throughout the year.   Branded as Debut, the 2,500-sq.-ft. space will be kicked off by an eclectic selection of nine brands including Askov Finlayson, West Elm Local, Woolrich, Pomegranate, and Laurel Way by Pam Mondale.  

The watch and fashion accessories brand Fossil Group is planning to reorganize its business.   The company, which operates 610 stores across the globe (including 284 U.S. locations) will close some stores, although it did not say how many, the Dallas News reported, as part of a multi-year business overhaul that also includes a focus on fewer products.    

Barneys New York named Josh Lieberman as its executive VP of digital.   Lieberman, who was previously senior VP of digital marketing, will oversee the enterprise’s e-commerce and digital businesses, including all marketing, merchandising, operations, creative and technology.  

Uber wants to put championship gear commemorating the Cubs’ World Series victory into fans’ hands as quickly as possible.   Through a partnership with licensed sports merchandise e-retailer Fanatics, Uber launched a program that enables Cubbies fans to purchase championship hats and t-shirts directly through the ride-hailing app, according to Recode.