Marketing

HOUSTON — The Men’s Wearhouse raised prices to preserve margins in the face of weak first quarter demand, but it wasn’t enough to prevent profits from falling short of estimates.

The company reported first quarter earnings per share of 52 cents, below guidance of 53 cents to 54 cents a share provided when the company reported fourth quarter results on March 7. Analysts’ expected the company to earn 55 cents a share.

Dallas -- Tuesday Morning Corp. said Wednesday it has ousted CEO Kathleen Mason and will launch a search for a new chief executive.

Mason was named president and CEO in 2000 and has come under fire as the closeout retailer has suffered slowing sales and widening losses.

Tuesday Morning also announced that executive VP and COO Michael Marchetti has been promoted to president and COO and will service as interim CEO until a successor for Mason is found.

PHILADELPHIA — Comparable sales slipped 2.8% at Pep Boys during the first quarter ended April 28, as customers were slow to come to the retailer for parts and services. The comps decline consisted of a 1.2% comparable-service revenue decrease and a 3.2% comparable-merchandise sales decrease. Total sales for the quarter increased by $11.1 million, or 2.2%, to $524.6 million from $513.5 million for the same period last year.

Target’s plan to achieve $6 billion in Canadian sales by 2017 is doable, according to Bernstein Research analyst Colin McGranahan, who notes the company’s goal is dependent on achieving sales productivity levels higher than the United States.

NEW YORK — Kenneth Cole, chairman and chief creative officer of Kenneth Cole Productions will now be the holder of approximately 46% of the company's common stock and will have 89% of the voting power. The deal was made possible through an agreement between Kenneth Cole Productions and Cole's controlling entity KCP Holdco.

New York -- J.C. Penney has angered a conservative group with a Father's Day ad that features a gay couple and their two young children. The print ad shows the two men playing with their 3-year-olds and reads, "First Pals - What makes Dad so cool? He's the swim coach, tent maker, best friend, bike fixer and hug giver - all rolled into one. Or two.” It is part of a spread in Penney’s June catalog, mailed out this week.

NEW YORK — Five minority- and women-owned businesses have successfully completed the inaugural Workshop development program to become official vendors of Macy's. The five enterprises include  Bella Tunno, Big Girl Cosmetics, Cenia, Kane & Couture and Lamik Beauty, and all have begun selling products at select Macy’s locations and/or on Macys.com.

New York -- Kenneth Cole Productions said its board has approved founder Kenneth Cole's offer to buy up the remaining part of the company that he doesn't already own in a deal worth $245 million.

Cole, currently the chairman and CEO of Kenneth Cole, holds about 46% of its outstanding common stock and controls 89% of its voting power. He will pay $15.25 for each share of the company that he doesn't already own.