Apparel

Specialty retailer Francesca's is losing its head merchant.

CMO Sei Jin Alt is resigning to spend more time with her family and pursue other interests, the company said. The company has initiated a search for a new Chief Merchandising Officer. To facilitate a smooth transition, Alt will remain in her current role until Nov. 20.

Despite efforts by her previous employer to block the transition, former Kohl’s CIO Janet Schalk is joining Hudson’s Bay Co. in the same capacity.

Philadelphia – Although net income at Urban Outfitters Inc. slightly slipped in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 compared to the same period a year earlier, it still beat Wall Street expectations. Net income totaled $66.84 million, down 1% from $67.5 million.

Bexley, Ohio -- Stanbery Development said it has named former Jos. A. Bank exec Stephen E. Gallant as director of construction and tenant coordination as it returns to active development of shopping centers. Gallant's experience includes responsibility for numerous retail design concepts as well as associated rollouts of new stores ranging from 850 sq. ft. to 250,000 sq. ft. Most recently, Gallant managed real estate portfolios and retail tenant construction projects for Skye Group and The Stanchion Group, respectively. As VP of facilities management for Jos. A.

New York – Teen girls are known for being social, and they are staying true to form for the back-to-school season. According to a study of 1.035 teen girls by Teen Vogue and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), 75% of respondents will use their smartphone to seek out back-to-school inspirations and ideas.

“Now Trending” is an exclusive online series to chainstoreage.com, featuring trending topics that impact the retail real estate landscape.

For many, the concept of an outlet mall is associated with not only appealing deals on name-brand products, but also with driving long distances to get to the far-flung locations where outlets have traditionally been located.
 

Minneapolis – The ongoing shakeup of senior management that has been occurring at Target Corp. since CEO Brian J. Cornell took the reins in August 2014 is continuing. Target has promoted John Mulligan, who has served as CFO since 2012, to the newly created role of executive VP and COO, effective Sept. 1.

Athletic wear retailer the Finish Line is investing in the health, well-being and special needs of children with thousands of dollars in grants.

The Finish Line Youth Foundation is awarding $77,258 in grants to help organizations that focus on healthy lifestyles, youth development and special needs.

A week after reporting disappointing sales growth for the second quarter, Kohl’s launching another exclusive celebrity fashion collection that aims to appeal to the millennial shopper.

Retail consulting firm McMillanDoolittle, Chicago, weighs in on its blog with three reasons why any retailer using the practice of “on-call” labor scheduling should end it immediately.