Department Store

Rome -- Gap said Friday that it will debut its first Gap flagship store in Rome on Via del Corso, the city’s premier shopping district, on July 30.

The opening in Rome is part of Gap’s ongoing international growth strategy; it opened its first Gap and Banana Republic stores in Milan in November 2010.

Four additional Gap and Banana Republic stores are slated to open in Italy this year. The company also recently introduced its outlet concept to the country and said it expects to open additional stores in Italian outlet centers.

New York City -- Liz Claiborne, parent company of Kate Spade and Juicy Couture labels, reported Thursday that its second-quarter loss widened to $89.9 million, from $86.8 million in the year-ago period.

Sales rose to $555.8 million from $536.8 million, beating Wall Street’s anticipated $522.1 million.
 

Walmart said it will donate $20 million to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art to provide for free admission for the next five years. The expansive world class facility scheduled to open Nov. 11 in Bentonville, Ark. was founded by the Walton Family Foundation in 2005.

New Lenox, Ill. -- Urban Retail Properties, LLC, Center Creek Development, LLC and Mansur & Co. announced Wednesday a joint venture to build, lease and manage Spring Creek Outlets of Chicago, located in New Lenox, Ill.

Oak Brook, Ill. -- Inland Western Retail Real Estate Trust Inc. said Wednesday that Inland Western MDS Portfolio LLC, one of its wholly owned subsidiaries, has signed three leases with Hobby Lobby to occupy 227,450 sq. ft. of former Mervyn’s locations in California.

The three new stores, firsts to their respective markets, include a 76,211-sq.-ft. location in Temecula, a 76,248-sq.-ft. location in Roseville and a 74,991-sq.-ft. location in Rancho Cucamonga.

The stores are projected to open this fall.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s Department Stores announced that it has awarded 10 students, ranging in age from 10 to 17, with a total of $10,000 in scholarship money for post-secondary education. In addition to the scholarships, Kohl’s will donate $1,000 to a nonprofit organization of each winner’s choice. 

Amsterdam -- The Tommy Hilfiger Group said Wednesday it has named John Ermatinger as CEO of the company's Asia business, effective Aug. 1.

Ermatinger was previously president of Gap Asia Pacific for two years and president of Gap Japan for three years. Under his leadership, Gap successfully launched the brand in China.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group said Tuesday that Tory Burch will open a new boutique at Town Center at Boca Raton. The new 2,600-sq.-ft. store is slated to open in early August.

It will be the company’s 53rd boutique.