Department Store

Melville, N.Y. -- A&G Realty Partners said Tuesday it has been retained by Charming Shoppes to exclusively manage the resolution of all remaining Fashion Bug real estate leases in the United States.

On June 14, Ascena Retail Group acquired Charming Shoppes and announced plans to cease operating and close down the Fashion Bug arm by early 2013.

"We're pleased to be working with A&G Realty Partners to wind down our remaining Fashion Bug store leases,” said Jonathon Graub, executive VP real estate, Charming Shoppes.

New York -- Foot Locker announced Tuesday the introduction of SIX:02, an elevated retail concept featuring fitness apparel and athletic footwear for women.

The first three stores will open for the holiday season in Stamford Mall in Stamford, Conn., Willowbrook Mall in Wayne, N.J., and North Star Mall in San Antonio, Texas.

SIX:02's concept is based on being the first-to-market design around a broad assortment of women’s athletic brands in an environment created specifically for that female customer, according to Foot Locker.

Brooklyn, N.Y. -- Home furnishings retailer West Elm today announced that it will open a new store in Indianapolis on Nov. 15. Located in The Fashion Mall at Keystone, the new store will be the first West Elm in Indiana.

Through a partnership with Etsy, the store will feature a locally made collection of decorative accessories from artists in the Indianapolis area.

Brooklyn, N.Y. -- West Elm, a division of Williams-Sonoma, announced that it will open store in Indianapolis on Nov.15.

Located in The Fashion Mall at Keystone, it will be the first West Elm in Indiana. Through a partnership with Etsy, the store will feature a locally made collection of decorative accessories from artists in the Indianapolis area.

Solid third quarter results have Dillard’s feeling good about the holidays.

Dillard’s third quarter merchandise sales for the quarter ended October 27 increased 4% to more than $1.4 billion, same store sales increased 5% and operating profits increased 84% to nearly $73 million. Gross margins expanded 40 basis points to 37.1% and same store inventory levels were down 1%.

New York -- Marimekko will open a flagship in the heart of Beverly Hills, Calif., on Nov. 15. The 5,000 -sq.-ft. store will feature the entire range of Marimekko products, from signature fashions to home furnishings and textiles, as well as a showroom to support further business development of the brand in the area.

The Finnish textile and clothing design company, renowned for its original prints and colors, opened a store in Palo in the Stanford Shopping Center, on Oct. 25.

New York – Gap is feeling the love this holiday season.

Minneapolis -- Best Buy has hired Sharon McCollam, formerly CFO of Williams- Sonoma Inc., as CFO, beginning Dec. 10.

McCollam, 50, had been COO and CFO at the home goods retailer before retiring. She also takes the title of chief administrative officer at Best Buy.

McCollam replaces James Muehlbauer, who said he was leaving in October. Muehlbauer will continue to advise the company until the end of the fiscal year in February.