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Victoria's Secret Direct, the internet and catalog division of Victoria's Secret, announced that Pia Ferrario will remain in her role as CEO through holiday and then transition into an advisory role with the company. Bridget Ryan-Berman, former chief executive officer of Giorgio Armani Corp., will join Victoria's Secret Direct as its chief executive officer.

Gap announced it will close 189 stores as well as downsize an undisclosed number of Old Navy stores in the U.S. and expand overseas growth. The long-time struggling apparel retailer plans to reduce the number of Gap brand stores by 21% — from 889 to 700 — by the end of 2013. The retailer did not reveal which Gap stores will close.

Department store chain Stage Stores announced plans to launch a chain of off-price stores for small-town America called Steele's. The new concept will sell clothes, accessories and home décor at prices that are 30 percent to 60 percent lower than other department stores.

Former East Coast Editor Kristine Kennedy Will Enhance Customer Experience with Digital Features, Decorating Advice and More After 17 years with the Better Homes and Gardens brand, East Coast Editor Kristine Kennedy is bringing her design expertise online with inspirational editorial content for Wayfair.com, the new mega-site that carries the largest selection of home products anywhere. Kennedy, Wayfair.com's new Editorial Director, knows how America lives and has spent years looking at, visiting, writing about and directing photography of homes from coast to coast. The results of her work were multi-page magazine stories with beautiful photography and practical advice for

Uniqlo is launching its U.S. expansion with the opening of a flagship store in Manhattan that will anchor a global push to rely less on its home market of Japan. In addition to the Fifth Avenue location, opening today, Uniqlo is also opening a store in New York's Herald Square next week, bringing its U.S. total to three locations. The new stores will be the chain's two biggest.

“Your friends at Etsy” sent out an email Oct. 13 alerting Etsy community members to some notable changes in its privacy policy. According to the company’s blog post, the real name change, which applies to both buyers and sellers, is supposed to clarify the difference between a person and a shop.

Gap is closing stores and downsizing others in the U.S. as it focuses on international expansion, the company said. The long-struggling apparel giant plans to reduce the number of Gap brand stores in North America to 700 by the end of 2013, a 34 percent decrease in the number of those stores when compared to the end of 2007. It didn't specify which stores would close.

Rally Squirrel merchandise outlets are finding it difficult to keep up with fan demand. Cardinal Glennon Hospital initially shipped out thousands of items to retailers on Oct. 11, but those retailers sold out within 45 minutes. No need to fret though. More Rally Squirrel merchandise is on the way. 

After 17 years with Better Homes and Gardens, East Coast Editor Kristine Kennedy is bringing her design expertise online with inspirational editorial content for Wayfair.com, the new site that carries the largest selection of home products anywhere.