Department Store

Gordmans Stores named Ramin Mozafari as senior VP of planning and allocation.   Mozafari joins Gordmans from Kohl's Department Stores, where he most recently was senior VP, divisional merchandise manager for accessories. Prior to Kohl's, from 2008 to 2012, he served DSW, where he held various merchandising roles including VP, general merchandise manager.  

Digital disruptors continue to change the pace of retail — and Neiman Marcus is ready.   Like many retailers, the luxury department store chain continues to introduce more mobile technology at store-level, a move that supports both in-store operations and consumer-driven tasks, from browsing through procurement.    “It is a trend that requires our network to be a mission-critical lifeline at every store,” said Scott Emmons, head of the Neiman Marcus Innovation Lab (iLab). 

There is one trend from the past couple of years shows no signs of stopping anytime soon: the movement of online-only retailers to the physical space. If anything, it’s gaining more momentum.      According to JLL’s Screens to Stores report, even more online retailers will experiment with physical locations in the next five years.    

Rebecca Minkoff is looking to bring self-checkout to fashion retailing.   The fashion retailer has debuted a self-checkout system at its Manhattan flagship, Fastcodedesign.com reported, developed by tech startup QueueHop.  

Olshan Properties will pay tribute to the new president-elect and fellow developer Donald Trump at the International Council of Shopping Centers New York Deal Making show, which kicks off at the Javits Center on Monday.   Staffers at the Olshan booth will be sporting blue “Make Retail Great Again” baseball caps as they promote a message, said a release, of elevating retail to bring local communities together by connecting with their hometown shopping centers.  

Family-owned and operated Meijer is getting a new CEO — and for the first time in the retailer’s 82-year history, it’s not a family member.   Effective January 1, 2017, Rick Keyes, president of Meijer, will add the title of CEO. He will replace Hank Meijer, who is stepping down as chief executive and will serve as executive chairman of the board.  

Adam Cummings, an 18-year veteran of retail leasing, has been named senior VP and retail occupier practice leader at CBRE. Cummings will direct retail representation in the mall sector.   The company also announced the return of Matt Kircher as managing director and executive VP of its San Francisco office. Kircher began his real estate caeer at CBRE in the 1990s.  

Ascena Retail Group reported a profit in its first quarter on lower costs, but it missed Wall Street expectations.    The company, whose banners include Ann Taylor, Loft, Lane Bryant, Dress Barn and more, reported net income of $14 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, in the first quarter, compared to a net loss of $18 million last year, or $0.10 per diluted share. Ascena’s income for the first quarter reflected lower purchase accounting adjustments and acquisition and integration costs.