Apparel

Sembler and Forge acquire two new shopping centers
St. Petersburg, Florida - The Sembler Company and Forge Capital Partners, in their Forge Real Estate Partners III investment fund, have recently purchased two shopping centers: Causeway Shopping Center in Indian Harbour Beach, Florida, and Springdale Shopping Center in Austin, Texas. FREP now owns five shopping centers, and the joint venture is actively seeking additional investments in grocery-anchored shopping centers throughout the Southeast.
Dollar Tree to open at East Brook Mall
Mansfield, Connecticut - Charter Realty and Development has leased space at the East Brook Mall in Mansfield, Connecticut, to Dollar Tree. Dollar Tree has taken 9,733 sq. ft. and will be joining anchor tenants Kohl’s, Dress Barn, TJ Maxx, Michael’s, Olympia Sports, Radio Shack, and Applebee’s. The 151,377-sq.-ft. center has signalized access from Route 195 (Storrs Road) and services 34,000 student, faculty and staff members of the University of Connecticut and Eastern Connecticut State University.

JLL closes sale of two Louisiana shopping centers

Baton Rouge, Louisiana - JLL’s Capital Markets experts announced the sale of Coursey Commons Shopping Center on behalf of Blue Ridge Real Estate Company. Wal-Mart Stores purchased the Baton Rouge, Louisiana shopping center for $10.9 million. The 67,775-sq.-ft. center is anchored by a Walmart Neighborhood Market and includes Sally Beauty Supply, AT&T Mobility, UPS store and Weight Watchers.
Kidswear retailer Souris Mini maxes omnichannel CRM with Raymark

Montreal, Canada – Specialty childrenswear retailer Souris Mini has selected Raymark's omni-channel customer relationship management (CRM) solution to support strategic initiatives in streamlining marketing activities and improving customer communications. The retailer, with more than 30 locations on two continents, is modernizing the way it engages with customers across all channels, with the project currently underway.
Former Toys “R” Us chief named CEO of Hudson’s Bay

Toronto - Hudson’s Bay Co. has named Gerald Storch, the former CEO of Toys “R” Us, as its new CEO, effective January 6. An industry veteran with over 30 years of experience, Storch oversaw the expansion of Toys “R” Us online and international business. Prior to joining the toy giant, he was vice-chairman of Target Corp., where he founded target.com, and ran the chain’s grocery business.
Controversial CEO out at American Apparel

Dov Charney, the controversial founder of American Apparel, has been fired "for cause" as CEO, the company said.

Charney was suspended as president and CEO of the hipster apparel chain in June for alleged misconduct and violations of company policy. The decision was made by the board’s “suitability committee,” which was formed to oversee an internal investigation in the wake of Charney's suspension.
Ex-Toys chief to run Hudson's Bay Co.

Hudson’s Bay Co. has looked to a Toys “R” Us veteran as its pick for its next CEO effective Jan. 5, although current CEO Richard Baker will stay on as governor and executive chairman of the retailing company.

Gerald Storch, an industry veteran with over 30 years of experience, oversaw the expansion of Toys “R” Us online and international business. Prior to joining the toy giant, he was vice chairman of Target Corp., where he founded Target.com, and ran the chain’s grocery business.
American Apparel's Dov Charney is out for good; fired "for cause"

New York - In a long-awaited decision handed down late Monday, Dov Charney, the controversial founder of American Apparel, has been fired "for cause" as CEO. He was suspended as president and CEO of the hipster apparel chain in June for alleged misconduct and violations of company policy, American Apparel said in a statement. The decision was made by the board’s “suitability committee,” which was formed in the wake of Charney’s suspension to oversee an internal investigation.
Bebe names interim CEO to the post on permanent basis

Brisbane, Calif. - bebe stores announded that Jim Wiggett has been named CEO and appointed to the company’s board of directors, effective immediately. He has been serving as interim chief executive since June 2014.
Quiksilver moves to the cloud and standardizes digital commerce with Demandware

BURLINGTON, Mass. - Demandware, a provider of enterprise cloud commerce solutions, announced that Quiksilver has expanded its relationship with Demandware to roll out the cloud platform on a global scale. The company made the switch from an on-premise solution for improved time to market and to provide a consistent customer experience across multiple brands and geographies, while driving growth.
Macy’s – Gift cards, clothes top holiday purchases

New York – The top holiday purchase items this year range from the less personal to the very personal. According to a recent online survey conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of Macy’s among nearly 1,700 U.S. adults 18 and older who are holiday shoppers, gift cards (61%) and clothing (52%) top the list when it comes to the types of gifts that holiday shoppers plan to buy this season. Other popular holiday items include:
Brown Shoe Co. sells Shoes.com

Brown Shoe Co. has sold its Shoes.com online division to a Seattle company looking to compete in a market dominated by Amazon.com and Foot Locker.

SHOEme, parent of OnlineShoes.com and Shoeme.ca, is purchasing Shoes.com for an undisclosed price, the companies said.