Department Store

New York -- Office Depot, Walmart, Target, Macy’s and CVS Health are among the top companies for women’s business endeavors, according to the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). The list is designed to recognize organizations that integrate policies and programs across the corporation to enable growth and reduce barriers for women-owned businesses; increasing opportunity in new markets – both domestically, and international; fueling innovation; and empowering communities through economic growth and job creation.

Victoria Gardens will break ground on a full streetscape renovation encompassing 1.19 acres of the center along its Monet Avenue, according to Melina Ferraez, director of marketing for Victoria Gardens.

Chattanooga, Tenn. - CBL & Associates Properties Inc. and Horizon Group Properties Inc. have begun construction on the second phase of The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta. The 33,000-sq.-ft. expansion is scheduled to open before the 2015 holiday season and will bring several popular retailers to the center, including Gap Outlet and Banana Republic.

St. Louis -- One of St. Louis’ oldest public companies and one of the nation’s most diverse footwear companies, Brown Shoe Company, is putting a new foot forward and changing its name to “Caleres,” a Latin word that means “passionate, to glow.” The Brown name, however, will live on in a new men’s footwear business called Brown Shoe Bootmakers that the company plans to launch in 2016.

Stockholm, Sweden - H&M will open at Uptown Village, Cedar Hill, Texas. Measuring approximately 21,000-sq.-ft., the store is set to open in the fall of 2015 and will add to fast-fashion chain’s 14 current locations in the state of Texas.

New York - BFC Partners has broken ground on Empire Outlets, a 340,000-sq.-ft. retail complex that will create more than 1,800 jobs and bring $285 million in private investment to the New York City borough of Staten Island.  

Sidney, Neb. - Cabela’s Inc. has appointed James F. Wright to its board of directors. Wright served as executive chairman of Tractor Supply Co. a farm and ranch supply retailer, from January 2013 through December 2013.  

New York - Saks Fifth Avenue has named Tracy Margolies as chief merchant, effective May 11, 2015. Margolies will drive the strategic direction and performance of all buying activities for Saks, and will report to Marc Metrick, president of Saks Fifth Avenue.

Margolies rejoins Saks Fifth Avenue after serving as senior VP and general merchandise manager, beauty, contemporary 5F, footwear and handbags at Bergdorf Goodman. Previously, Margolies spent seven years at Saks as VP, division merchandise manager, women's footwear.