Apparel

Englewood Construction has started working on three new ground-up retail projects.

The national general contractor is building a Hobby Lobby in Beavercreek, Ohio; a PetSmart in Taylor, Michigan; and a Goodwill in Monroe, Connecticut.

Englewood recently broke ground on a 55,000-sq.-ft. ground-up Hobby Lobby store in Beavercreek, Ohio. Slated for completion by the end of January 2016, the project will use tilt-up construction of masonry embossed panels. Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Robert Michael Hughes is the project architect.

Lane Bryant is teaming up with the American Cancer Society on an omnichannel campaign to raise money for breast cancer research.

Since 2012, Lane Bryant customers and associates have contributed $1.4 million dollars to the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign. The brand says it aims to increase the 2015 contribution by 21% for a total contribution of $2 million dollars in 4 years.

Nordstrom will debut several new features when it opens on October 2 in Minnetonka, Minn., including “girlfriend” fitting rooms, which offer more space so that friends can try items on in the same room, and a beauty format that allows customers to select items from store shelves themselves, reports the Minneapolis/St.Paul Business Jounal.

For store photos, click here.

Gap plans to expand the training program it offers to its women garment workers oversees, aiming to educate at least 1 million women by 2020.

The program, called P.A.C.E. (Personal Advancement & Career Enhancement), launched in 2007 and gives women garment workers access to a curriculum up to 80 hours long in up to nine areas, from communications skills, financial literacy, stress management, problem-solving and decision-making.

When it comes to satisfying online customers, the little guys may have an edge. Online review site Bizrate Insights (a division of marketing solutions firm Connexity) has released its 16th annual Bizrate Circle of Excellence awards, and only a few major retailers are included.

A strong roster of rock icons is coming to Lucky Brand stores and wholesale customers thanks to a licensing deal with Epic Rights.

Lucky Brand will create a new line of tops and headwear that feature artists represented by Epic Rights including KISS, Journey, Def Leppard, Billy Idol, The Doobie Brothers, Jefferson Airplane and CBGB.  The apparel will be sold exclusively at Lucky Brand retail and wholesale locations nationwide and online beginning in spring 2016.

Burr Ridge Ill. -- Trademark Property Co. announced the start of construction on its multi-million dollar renovation of the Burr Ridge Village Center in Burr Ridge, Illinois. Enhancements will include upgraded amenities, renovation of common areas and roadway modifications.

“We are excited to evolve Burr Ridge Village Center by investing in these upgrades, which will create a more welcoming environment for guests,” said Weston Graves, VP, design and construction, Trademark.

With nearly 1,100 stores in malls nationwide, it appears that 2015 was not the summer of the sneaker for Finish Line.

The retailer reported weaker-than-expected sales for its second quarter ended Aug. 29. The results weren’t awful, with sales advancing 3.5% to $483.2 million and same-store sales up 1.5%. However, gas prices were in free fall for much of the year and the unemployment rate was in decline, which should have left Finish Line’s core customer with money in their pockets and no reason to not drive to the mall.