Some of fashion’s best-known names are playing musical chairs.

Faced with a consolidating department store industry and eroding sales, some labels are cutting ties with retailers that sold their clothing and betting their future with one chain. Liz Claiborne Inc.’s announcement last month that it’s moving its namesake line to J.C. Penney Co. from Macy’s Inc. and other stores follows similar moves by other major brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Dana Buchman.