Apparel

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.

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.
 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

One of the strongest performing retailers in the past few years will be getting a new CEO in January.

The company announced that current CEO and Chairman Carol Meyrowitz will step down and be succeeded by Ernie Herrman, 54, who will retain his current title as president of the company.