Finance & Capital Management

Ann Taylor profit tops estimate, upbeat on holiday
New York City -- AnnTaylor Stores Corp.'s fiscal third-quarter profit rose, aided by better-than-expected sales growth. Net income surged to $24.2 million in the third quarter ended Oct. 30, compared with $2.1 million a year earlier.

Total sales rose 9.3% to $505.3 million, above analysts' expectations of $492.8 million.

Same-store sales increased 11.7% overall, with a 21.9% rise at the Ann Taylor brand and a 4.5% less expensive Loft chain.
Gap Q3 income falls 1%, sales up 2%
San Francisco -- Gap said its third-quarter net income fell 1% to $303 million for the period that ended Oct. 30. That compares with $307 million a year earlier.

Revenue rose 2% to $3.65 billion, boosted by increases in online and international sales. Same-store sales were flat.

Gap to open flagship in Italy

San Francisco -- Gap will open its first Italian flagship on Saturday in the Corso Vittorio Emanuele shopping district of Milan.

The company said that it also plans to open an additional Gap store in Rome next year and a Banana Republic store adjacent to its Milan location "in the near future." The Milan Gap store spans three floors and 25,500 sq. ft. and will offer all Gap clothing collections.
Hibett Sports 3Q comps up 12.5%, co. raises outlook
New theater opens at Nampa Gateway Center

Nampa, Idaho -- Beachwood, Ohio-based Developers Diversified Realty Corp. said Thursday it has completed construction of the 52,000-sq.-ft. Edwards Nampa Gateway Stadium 12 Theater, now open at the Nampa Gateway Center, a 921,200-sq.-ft. shopping center in Nampa, Idaho.
Foot Locker swings to Q3 profit

New York City -- Foot Locker on Thursday reported a profit for its third quarter on stronger margins for the retailer.

The company said it earned $52 million for the quarter that ended Oct. 30. That compares with a loss of $6 million during the same period year earlier, when the company also had $22 million in impairment charges.

Revenue rose 5% o $1.28 billion. Same-store sales were up 8.1%.
NBA Store in Manhattan to close due to rising rent

New York City -- The NBA Store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan will close in late February, due to rising rent. The company said it is looking for a new location in the city.
Haagen Dazs, Gelosia to open at The Palms at Town & Country

Miami -- Haagen Dazs and Gelosia are slated to open at The Palms at Town & Country, in Miami, in mid-November. Haagen Dazs will open a 960-sq.-ft. ice cream store, and Gelosia will open a 1,040-sq.-ft. location.

The Palms at Town & Country, owned by TIAA-CREF, being redeveloped by Flagler Development Group and managed by Jones Lang LaSalle Retail, is home to retailers such as Nordstrom Rack, Loehmann's, New York & Co., Marshall's, Men's Wearhouse, Publix and Shaq's 24 Hour Fitness.
Casual Male swings to profit in Q3, ups guidance

Canton, Mass. -- Casual Male Retail Group said Thursday it swung to a profit of $0.3 million in the third quarter, compared with a loss of $1.4 million a year earlier.

Total sales edged up 1.4% to $89.9 million, and same-store sales increased 3%.
Closing the lid on a local Jack in the Box

Closing the lid on a local Jack in the Box

Near my Baton Rouge, La., neighborhood is a Jack in the Box fast-food restaurant that, from all cursory indications, had appeared to be surviving the recession.

Finance & Capital Management

Ann Taylor profit tops estimate, upbeat on holiday

Gap Q3 income falls 1%, sales up 2%

Gap to open flagship in Italy

Hibett Sports 3Q comps up 12.5%, co. raises outlook

New theater opens at Nampa Gateway Center

Foot Locker swings to Q3 profit

NBA Store in Manhattan to close due to rising rent

Haagen Dazs, Gelosia to open at The Palms at Town & Country

Casual Male swings to profit in Q3, ups guidance

Closing the lid on a local Jack in the Box