Apparel

Citing favorable market conditions and a desire to “de-risk” its pension plan, nearly 14,000 participants in J.C. Penney’s retirement plan opted to receive lump sum payments.

Specialty athletic retailer The Finish Line Inc. is trying to reposition its brand with a new initiative that cuts across channels. Called “Epic Finish,” Finish Line says the repositioning goes beyond a typical marketing campaign.

It’s been a busy fall for hip eyewear marketer Warby Parker.

The company opened its first permanent location in Washington, D.C., in the Georgetown section.

The 1,230-sq.-ft. store features Warby Parker’s signature classic library design, with custom brass library lamps, suspended globe lighting, chevron wood flooring, walnut shelving, and banquette seating for reading and relaxing.

Whatever you have planned for Saturday, Oct. 10, specialty apparel retailer Ross Dress for Less will probably be busier.

The Ross Stores Inc. banner is opening six new stores, including three in a new market, as well as relocating a store.

British retailer John Lewis has opened one of its largest department stores ever, in the just-opened Grand Central shopping center in Birmingham.

The four-level, 250,000-sq.-ft. department store has a strikingly contemporary design and features several new services and concepts, including a new fashion and lifestyle department, loved&found, and the first John Lewis-branded spa, &Beauty. There is also a market stall-styled food offering, The Place to Eat.

Chico’s is looking to a veteran of Victoria’s Secret to help the company navigate some troubling times.

The company announced that Cynthia A. Fields has been appointed to its board of directors, effective immediately. Fields was also appointed to the board's merchant committee.

Photos: Dalziel & Pow, London

Pink will prevail at Macy’s this month when the retailer launches an omnichannel campaign to raise funds for the fight against breast cancer.

The retailer has joined forces with the Pink Pony Fund, the Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation’s initiative in the fight against cancer, to offer a special collection of merchandise that transforms Polo Ralph Lauren shops into Pink Pony destinations in 48 Macy’s locations across the country and at macys.com/pink.