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Retail Briefs

Filene's shuttering stores, plans to emerge from Chapter 11

In a continuing effort to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, Wellesley, Mass.-based Filene's Basement is closing 17 more stores in addition to previously announced shutterings in Franklin Mills, Pa., and Sunrise, Fla. After the closings, set to be complete by the end of the year, the chain will operate 32 stores.

Scheduled to be shut are units in: Manchester and Stamford, Conn.; Lakeview, Oakbrook and Skokie, Ill.; Holyoke, North Attleboro, Plymouth and Taunton, Mass.; Bloomington, Minn.; Salem, N.H.; Moorestown and Paramus, N.J.; Huntington and Carle Place, N.Y.; and Devon and Willow Grove, Pa.

London Fog closing 110 outlets in move away from direct retail

Baltimore-based coat maker London Fog said in September that it would close 110 of its 140 factory outlet stores as a result of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. London Fog was the 23rd largest outlet chain retailer in the United States in 1998, according to ICSC's Value Retail News. However, the company said that "a major shift away from direct retail" and an effort to stop competing with department stores that also sell its wares, was the key to regaining financial health for the debt-laden company.

Ames Dept. Stores completes conversion of 47 Hills units

Discounter Ames Department Stores has completed the third phase of its grand opening program, opening 56 newly renovated stores in Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Ohio, Tennessee and West Virginia in late September. Forty-seven of the stores were former Hills Stores converted to the Ames banner and format; the remaining stores are former Caldor locations. Ames now operates more than 455 stores in 19 states and the District of Columbia.

Elder-Beerman Stores Corp. to sell Bee-Gee Shoes chain

Elder-Beerman Stores Corp. plans to sell its 55-unit Bee-Gee Shoe Corp. for undisclosed terms to a business group formed by Albertine Industries and Ark Capital. The sale, announced in late September, was expected to close in 45 to 60 days. Dayton, Ohio-based Elder-Beerman operates 60 department stores in eight states and also operates two furniture superstores. Bee-Gee operates 55 El-Bee and Shoebilee! shoe stores in seven states.

Wal-Mart Stores rolls out Computer Doctor concept

Wal-Mart Stores, Bentonville, Ark.,
has opened its first Computer Doctor center, a computer repair and software installation store in Ankeny, Iowa. Nine more units are expected to open in 2000, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Target Stores gets go-ahead to finalize Fedco acquisition

Minneapolis-based Target Stores received U.S. Bankruptcy Court approval to finalize the acquisition of 10 Fedco general merchandise stores and certain other real estate assets. By year-end, Target, the discount store division of Dayton Hudson Corp., will operate 914 stores in 44 states. Fedco is a chain of membership-based superstores in Southern California.

Plato's Closet plans to franchise teen clothing stores across U.S.

A new resale clothing chain targeting teens and young adults, called Plato's Closet, opened in Minneapolis in September. The store will be devoted exclusively to the resale of used apparel. The company said it plans to franchise stores across the United States that buy and sell brand-name clothing and accessories. The store will sell brands including Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic, The Limited, The Gap, Old Navy and others.

Crabtree & Evelyn rolls out new store concept in New York

As part of its new strategy to reposition and redefine its brand, Crabtree & Evelyn has launched a new store concept. The new format store is located at 5 World Trade Center in New York City. Crabtree & Evelyn, Waltham, Mass., sells English and European toiletries, home fragrance and fine foods. By the end of 1999, the company will open two more stores based on the new concept, in Costa Mesa, Calif., and Orlando, Fla., bringing its total number of stores in the United States to 130.