Department Store

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is reportedly eliminating the position of zone manager in its stores as part of a plan to strengthen store managers that was first announced in February 2015. According to Bloomberg, Wal-Mart will transfer the responsibilities of zone managers, who oversee multiple departments, to department managers.

York, Pa. – The revamped West Manchester Town Center is announcing the latest group of retailers to open there. DSW Inc. and Charming Charlie both opened in April, with GNC and Kay Jewelers expected to open in May.

Ann Taylor Loft GameStop, Kirkland’s and Petco each opened during the winter months. Mall anchors Kohl’s, Regal Cinemas and Wal-Mart, along with Artesian Pools & Spas and USA Optical, have remained open throughout construction.

Irvine, Calif. -- Tilly’s announced today that CFO Jennifer Ehrhardt intends to resign from Tilly’s to relocate closer to her family and pursue other professional interests. She will continue to serve in the role for an interim period expected to end in June 2015, and will help with the transition process.

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.  

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.