Finance & Capital Management

New York -- Teen retailers had a “less dreadful” holiday selling season than was anticipated. That’s how analysts are tempering the news that banners such as American Eagle Outfitters, Aeropostale and Urban Outfitters posted stronger-than-expected holiday results, released by most on Thursday.

In fact, say industry watchers, the strong sales figures look pretty shiny because they are exaggerated by pre-season low expectations, which were dragged down by fears of aggressive discounting and waning mall traffic.

Seattle --  A Seattle-based flash sales site may just be sputtering overseas, as a Forbes report on Thursday said that Zulily may shutter its United Kingdom operations, which currently serve as the concept’s first and only international office. According to Zulily CEO Darrell Cavens in a Forbes interview, changes in the apparel flash site’s international focus has led the company to consider its options.  

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. announced the appointment of John Griffith to its board of directors. Griffith fills the unexpired term of Tom DeRosa, resulting from his retirement from CBL's board effective Jan. 7.

Griffith served as executive VP of property development for Target Corporation until his retirement in May 2014. He joined Target in 1999, and played an instrumental role in its expansion and the development of new store prototypes and formats.

Washington, D.C. - The National Retail Federation has expressed its strong support for H.R. 30, the Save American Workers Act, a bill that would restore the traditional 40-hour workweek standard for health benefits under the Affordable Care Act. The NRF sent a letter to each and every House office stating that all votes related to the bill would be considered “key votes” and factored into its annual legislative scorecard.

Matthews, N.C. – Higher sales of discounted, low-margin items did not necessarily add up to a happy holiday season for Family Dollar Stores Inc. The company missed Wall Street expectations for both net income and net sales during the first quarter of fiscal 2015, even as Dollar Tree and Family Dollar both continue making preparations for a multi-billion-dollar takeover this year.

Plano, Texas – It will not be a happy New Year for employees of some 40 J.C. Penney stores. The company on Thursday said that it plans to close approximately 40 stores, which represent less than 4% of its total store base, on or about April 4, 2015. The closures will affect about 2,250 employees.

Canton, Mass. – Dunkin' Donuts has signed the largest development agreement in the company's history with the goal of expanding Dunkin' Donuts in China. The retailer plans to open more than 1,400 new stores across China in the next 20 years.

Pittsburgh – Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. is reportedly considering the step of taking itself private. According to Reuters, Dick’s is in the preliminary stages of conversations with several buyout firms.

However, there is currently no formal plan to sell the company and Dick’s may not ultimately move forward with the plan. In the third quarter of fiscal 2014, Dick’s reported a 9% increase in net sales but 2% drop in net income. The company declined to comment.

Hamilton, Bermuda – Signet Jewelers Ltd. had a sparkly holiday season. The retailer’s eight-week fiscal 2015 holiday season sales grew 3.6%.

Signet's omnichannel strategy was successful during the holiday season. E-commerce sales increased 90.9%, and, excluding the Zale division, increased 20%. As a percent of Signet's holiday season's total sales, e-commerce increased 1.6%. Each division delivered higher e-commerce growth and penetration relative to total sales.

New York – Barnes & Noble Inc. saw a sharp decline in holiday sales in its Nook e-reader division, even as its retail segment showed small improvement. The Nook segment (including digital content, devices and accessories), had sales of $56 million for the nine-week holiday period, decreasing 55% as compared to a year ago.