Department Store

New York City -- Reports circulated Wednesday that several potential suitors, including Sears Holdings and Urban Outfitters, have been studying J. Crew’s books. Urban Outfitters is seriously weighing a counterbid for the high-flying preppy retailer, according to a report in The New York Times. At least two other private-equity firms are also receiving confidential data on the New York-based retailer, Bloomberg reported.

Hammond, La. -- Covington, La.-based Stirling Properties, developer of Hammond Square, said that Charming Charlie will occupy a 9,911-sq.-ft. space on Main Street across from Books-A-Million and Shoe Department Encore.

The anticipated opening is spring 2011, and will accompany openings by Academy Sports + Outdoors and The Children’s Place.

New York City -- Saks on Wednesday announced it plans to close its Saks Fifth Avenue store located in the Cherry Creek Mall in Denver, Colo., on March 19. With the closing, the company will have closed seven Saks Fifth Avenue stores since July 2010.

St. Paul, Minn. -- Paster Enterprises said that five new tenants have been secured at the company’s projects throughout the area. New tenants include Furniture CLW, No Box TVs, Chickadee’s House, Anytime Fitness and Wilson’s Leather Outlet.

In Crystal Shopping Center, a 370,000-sq.-ft. community center, Wilson’s Leather Outlet will open a 3,171-sq.-ft. store. In Lexington Plaza Shoppes, a 26,747-sq.-ft. neighborhood center, Chickadee’s House will open a 1,332-sq.-ft. bird enthusiast store.

Chicago -- Year-over-year retail sales increased 6.5% for the week ending Jan. 1, according to ShopperTrak’s National Retail Sales Estimate, while the company’s Retail Traffic Index (SRTI) reported foot traffic rose 4.1% for the same period.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings announced that Deidra Cheeks Merriwether has been promoted to senior VP and president of its Retail Services business unit, succeeding James H. Haworth who will be leaving the company to pursue other opportunities. Merriwether will be responsible for the oversight and leadership of retail services for all Kmart and Sears stores.

New York City -- A report released Tuesday by the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs Group said that U.S. retail sales are up 3.6% on a year-over-year basis.

Same-store sales at a selection of U.S. retailers rose 0.4% from the week ended Jan. 1 from the prior week, the groups also said.

CHICAGO - Claire's Stores has announced the appointment of Jay Friedman as president of the North American division, reporting to Gene Kahn, CEO, effective immediately.

In his position, Friedman will lead both the Claire's and Icing businesses and will have direct oversight of buying, planning and allocation, supply chain, stores and overall operations of approximately 2,000 stores in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.