Department Store

Philadelphia -- Urban Outfitters said Wednesday that CFO Eric Artz is leaving the company, and will be replaced by current chief accounting officer Frank Conforti, effective April 3.

No reason has been given for Artz’s departure, other than he plans to return to the west coast.

Urban Outfitters operates under the Anthropologie, BHLDN, Free People, Terrain and Urban Outfitters brands.
 

When North Plainfield, N.J.-based Levin Management took over as leasing and managing agent for Fairlane Village Mall – located in Pottsville, Pa. – in 2006, the impending economic downturn, a likely 80,000-sq.-ft. vacancy and growing industry consensus that the days of the small-market malls were numbered created a perfect storm of challenges.

Six years later, the 405,000-sq.-ft. property serves as a repositioning benchmark. Its success story is underscored by the March 2012 opening of Kohl’s and the impending arrival of Michaels later this year.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Former Sony Electronics executive, Steve Haber, is joining Sears Holdings as SVP and president, home appliances. 

In his new role with Sears Holdings, Haber will lead the company's effort to continue driving profitable growth in its industry-leading appliance business.

Chicago -- Claire's Stores reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Jan. 28 rose to $39.5 million, from $21 million in the year-ago period.

Sales edged up 3.1% to $434.9 million, compared with $422 million last year. Same-store sales rose 0.9%, consisting of a 3.4% increase in North America and a 3.6% decrease in Europe.
 

Dallas -- The Neiman Marcus Group said Thursday that it will invest $28 million in Glamour Sales Holding, a Shanghai-based e-commerce company, as part of its strategy to gain a foothold in the Asian e-commerce marketplace.

“We are taking this bold step to establish Neiman Marcus Group as an international brand,” said Karen Katz, president and CEO, Neiman Marcus Group.

Bloomfield Hills, Mich. -- Taubman Centers on Thursday announced the opening of City Creek Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Thousands of visitors attended the grand opening of the only regional shopping center to open in the United States this year. 

According to the International Council of Shopping Centers, City Creek Center is the first enclosed regional shopping center to open in the United States in six years.

Philadelphia -- Urban Outfitters said Wednesday that CFO Eric Artz is leaving the company, and will be replaced by current chief accounting officer Frank Conforti, effective April 3.

No reason has been given for Artz’s departure, other than he plans to return to the west coast.

Urban Outfitters operates under the Anthropologie, BHLDN, Free People, Terrain and Urban Outfitters brands.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. said Thursday that Steve Haber will join the company as senior VP and president, Home Appliances.

Haber was previously executive VP at Sony Electronics, leading the Product to Consumer Marketing and the Home and Digital Reading business divisions.