Apparel

Hillwood and The Howard Hughes Corporation have unveiled plans for a 130-acre, mixed-use development at Circle T Ranch, a master-planned community north of Dallas-Fort Worth. Circle T resides within AllianceTexas, an 18,000-acre tract that has brought 425 companies, 45,000 jobs, and the world’s first industrial airport to the town of Westlake.   

Marketing in the department store arena may be new for Rich Lennox, but he’s got plenty of retail marketing experience under his belt. The CMO for Toys “R” Us, who also served in the same capacity for Zales Corp., will take the marketing reins of Macy’s Inc., effective Sept. 15.   Lennox, 51, succeeds Martine Reardon, who left Macy’s in May. He will lead a branding and marketing strategy charge across all channels, reporting to president Jeff Gennette.  

Hibbett Sports reported fiscal second-quarter net income of $6.5 million, beating Wall Street expectations.   The sporting goods retailer posted revenue of $206.9 million in the period, a 3.9% increase but falling short of Street forecasts. Analysts expected $210.1 million.   Same-store sales inched up 0.8%.  

Customer data from payment cards used at Eddie Bauer stores from Jan. 2 to July 17 of this year may have been accessed by malware infecting point of sales systems, the company announced.    An investigation by a third-party digital forensics firm engaged by Eddie Bauer found that the breach was part of a concerted hack-attack targeting several restaurants, hotels, and retailers.  

It appears that American Apparel may be looking to start a new chapter.   The retailer, which emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection some six months ago, is now said to be looking for a buyer, Women’s Wear Daily reported.   Click here to read more.

Payless ShoeSource and Marshalls will be opening their doors in the coming week in the Butler North power center of Butler Enterprises’ 267-acre retail park in Gainesville, Florida. Walmart Supercenter, Sam’s Club, Lowe’s, and Dick’s Sporting Goods made their debuts there earlier this year.   

The Bon-Ton Stores reduced its loss in the second quarter amid fewer markdowns and inventory controls, but sales fell as mall traffic remained soft.   The retailer posted a loss of $38.7 million in the quarter ended July 30, compared with a net loss of $39.6 million in the year-ago period.   Total sales fell 2.4% to $542.4 million, compared with $555.4 million last year. Same-store sales were down 2.0%.