Los Angeles — Sole Society, a leading lifestyle brand of women’s shoes, handbags and accessories, has opened the doors to its first brick-and-mortar retail store at Santa Monica Place.
retailers
Houston — Sei Jin Alt, chief merchandising officer of Francesca’s Holdings Corporation, plans to resign from the company to spend more time with her family and pursue other interests. The company has initiated a search for a new chief merchandising officer. To facilitate a smooth transition, Alt will remain in her current role until November 20, 2015.
Westborough, Mass. — BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. (BJ’s) has named Christopher J. Baldwin as president and chief operating officer, effective September 8, 2015. Baldwin will have responsibility for business operations including merchandising, logistics, membership, marketing and club operations and will also join BJ’s board of directors.
Brisbane, Calif. — bebe stores, inc. has signed a 5-year exclusive license with Longgoal LLC, a Shanghai-based agency of international high-end brands, to open between 60 and 150 bebe points of distribution in Greater China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. The first boutique is expected to open in summer 2016.
Charlotte, N.C. — Belk, Inc., the nation’s largest family owned and operated fashion department store company, has entered into a definitive merger agreement whereby investment funds managed by New York-based private equity firm Sycamore Partners will acquire 100% of Belk in a $3 billion transaction.
Toronto — Lowe’s Canada has appointed Jeff Boyd as vice president, real estate, construction and store design, effective immediately. Boyd joined Lowe’s in October 2007 and has played an instrumental role in the development of the company’s real estate and construction function in Canada over the past 7 and a half years.
Los Angeles — The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®, Southern California’s oldest and largest privately-held specialty coffee and tea retailer in the U.S., has signed an exclusive area development agreement with South Korean retail conglomerate, E-LAND, to introduce its brand to China.